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HISTORY 

\\ 

of 

UNITED  MINE  WORKERS 
of  AMERICA 

from  the  year 

1890  TO  1900 


with  illustrations  of  officers  during  that  period 


BY 

Chris  Evans 


Volume  II. 


TO  THE  OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS 

OF  THE 

NATIONAL  EXECUTIVE  BOARDS 
THE  RANK  AND  FILE 

OF  THE 

UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA 
THIS  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED 


4281C6 


UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  of  AMERICA 


CONTENTS 

Pages 

Chapter  I 

Indiana  Contontion  January  14,  and  Ohio  State  Cona'ention 

January  20,  1890 3-4 

Reformation  Is  the  Watchword 5-12 

National  Progressive  Union  and  National  Trades  Assembly'  135 

Knights  of  Labor  Meet  Jointly' 13-16 

Amalgamation  Is  Successful 17 

Joint  Preamble  and  Constitutions 18-23 

First  National  Executive  Board 24-25 

Closing  Hours  of  Joint  Convention 26-32 

Indiana  Convention  February  25,  and  Illinois  Convention  March 

4,  1890  33 

Chapter  II 

Pittsburg  CoNnsNiTON  March  K,  and  Ohio  ^Miners’  Joint  Con- 
vention, April  14,  1890 34-39 

Chapter  III 

West  Virginia  Miners’^  Convention,  Eight-Hour  Question  Consid- 
ered and  Watchorn  Tenders  Resignation 40-42 

Ohio  Convention,  January  20,  1891 43-58 

One-Year-Old  United  Mine  Workers  in  Conv'ention 59-89 

Amended  Constitutton  in  Part,  and  Adjou'rnyient 90-92 

First  Annual  Convention,  District  11,  March  3,  1891 93 

Chapter  IV 

Coke  Workers’  Struggle.  An  Appe.yl  to  American  Woricmen 94-95 

Miners’  National  Cony'ention  at  Pittsburg,  April  6,  1891 96-101 

Joint  Coni’erence  with  Operators ! 102-108 

District  17  Convention,  April  14-15,  1891 109-116 

Chapter  V 

District  12  Convention,  April  23,  1891 117-119 

Passage  of  Illinois  Weekly  Pay  Law 120-121 

Reasons  Given  for  Deferring  Miners’  Movement  for  Eight  Hours  122-126 

Chapter  VI 

District  6 Special  Convention,  April  30,  1891 127-130 

Pittsburg  Miners’  Special  Convention,  April  and  :u.\y',  1891 131-136 

Iowa  and  Cokeworicers’  Strikes,  and  Illinois  Screen  Law 137-140 

National  Executive  Board  on  Use  of  Defense  Fund 141-142 

Iowa  Convention  at  Oskaloosa,  July',  1891 143-144 

Joint  Agreements  at  Rendville  and  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  with 

President  Costello’s  Strike  Explanation.  Pittsburg  Dist 145-148 

William  Houston’s  Death,  November  19,  1891,  and  District  12 

CoNVE-NTiON,  January,  1892 149-156 

Chapter  VII 

District  6 Convention,  Janu.vry'  19,  1892 157-176 

Chapter  VIII 

Second  National  Conirntion,  Unites  Mlne  Workers  of  America. 

1892  1 .177-190 

Conventions,  Districts  5 and  11,  Ohio  Joint  Agreement,  and  Con- 
vention OF  District  17,  April,  1892 191-195 

viii 


Pages 


Chapter  IX 

Special  Convei^tions,  Districts  11  aa’d  12 196-202 

Ia’^diana  Block  Coal  Joint  ^Meeting  and  Tennessee  Joint  Scale 203-204 

Chapter  X 

Pittsburg  District  Cjnvention,  \A'.  S.  Scott’s  Address,  Officers 
OF  District  12,  Manifesto,  and  Hocking  Valley  Day  Wage 

Scale,  1892  205-214 

Checkweighman  Laws,  Hocking  Valley  Joint  Conference  on 
Entry  Prices,  Day*  Wages,  Etc.,  Coioients  on  First  Issue  of 
United  Mine  Workers  -Journal 215-221 

Chapter  XI 

Sub-District  1 of  District  6 Eeorganized,  Officers  Elected  and 

Machine  Miners’  Convention  Proceedings 222-230 

Convention  Proceedings  and  Constitution  of  District  23,  for 

1892  231-233 

Chapter  XII 

Hocking  Valley  Determined  to  Have  One  Sub-District.  Constitu- 
tion Adopted 234-238 

Suaimary  of  Hocking  Valley  .Joint  Agreements 239-243 

President  McBride  on  the  Ohio  Membership,  and  Fourth  Annual 

Convention  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 244-267 

Chapter  XIII 

District  12  Convention,  April,  1893 268-272 

Indiana  Miners’  and  Operators’  Joint  Contr.act  and  Special  Con- 

iHiNTioN,  District  11,  May  7,  1893 273-276 

Jellico,  Tennessee,  Scale,  1893,  Joint  Conference  of  Ohio  Miners 

AND  Oper.vtors  277-289 


Chapter  XIV 

An  Effort  Made  to  Form  One  Machine  Mining  District  for  Ohio, 

AND  Sixty-Day  Notes  as  Payment  for  Wages  Due 290-300 

Second  Audit,  District  6,  1893 301 

Chapter  XV 

Special  Con\'ention,  .January  9,  1894 302-308 

Ohio  Miners’  Convention,  February,  1894,  Ohio  Miners’  and 

Operators’  Wage  Scales  Presented 309-312 

Special  Conventions,  District  11,  Febriu\ry  and  March,  1894 313-316 

Chapter  XVI 

Fifth  Annu.al  National  Convention,  April  10,  1894,  with  Pre.si- 

DENT  McBride’s  Admonition  and  Proceedings  Continued 317-332 

Constitution  of  District  5 for  1894 333-334 

National  Convention  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  14,  1894 33.5-356 

Chapter  XVII 

Sixth  Annual  National  Convention,  1895 357-372 

CONITINTION  OF  SUB-DlSTRICT  1 OF  DISTRICT  6,  IMaRCH,  1895,  AND  lOWA 

.Joint  Conference  373-377 

Chapter  XVIII 

Sixth  Annual  Ohio  Convention,  April  2,  1895 378-388 

.Joint  Conferences,  Ohio,  Illinois  and  Indiana 389-391 

Convention  District  25,  Keystone,  West  Virginia,  .June  14,  1895, 

Pratt,  Alabama,  Wage  Scale  of  Prices,  1892-1895,  and  Lama- 

Eatchford  Agreement  .392-394 

ix 


4S81C6 


Pages 


CHArXER  XIX 

Anthracite  Constitution,  District  1,  1895 395-399 

Pittsburg  Joint  Conference,  December,  1895 400—407 

Chapter  XX 

Seventh  National  Annual  Convention,  April,  1896 408^23 

District  11,  Seventh  Annual  Proceedings,  April.  1896 124-434 

Chapter  XXI 

Eighth  Annual  National  Convention,  1897,  and  Speci.al  Con\'en- 

TiON,  District  12,  1897 435-457 


Chapter  XXII 

District  11,  Eighth  Annual  Convention,  April,  1897 458-463 

Chapter  XXIII 

Governor  Atkinson  and  West  Virginia  In.junctions,  August,  1897, 

Copied  from  Originals 464-468 

Special  National  Convention,  September,  1897 469—480 

Indiana  Special  Convention.  Sepiember,  1897 481—484 

Illinois  and  West  Virgini.a  Local  Joint  Agreements,  and  Pitts- 
burg Scale,  1892-1897  48-5-488 

Chapter  XXIV 

Joint  Report  District  2.  Proposed  Scale  of  Prices  for  Fairmont. 

AND  Other  West  Virginia  Controversies  and  .Joint  Agree- 
ments   489^91 

Valuable  Aid  GmiN  by  National  Offici.vls  of  Other  Trades  in 

West  Virginia  During  Striice  of  1897 492—494 

Sub-District  Conventions,  1 and  2,  of  District  6 495-496 

Joint  Conference  Stepping  Stone,  Deceaiber,  1897 497-498 

Ohio  Sub-District  5 Scale  and  Pittsburg  Coni-ention,  December, 

1897  ^499-508 

Chapter  XX\" 

Ninth  Annual  Convention,  District  6.  -January,  1898 509-518 

Ninth  National  Annual  Convention,  J.vntj.vry  11,  1898 519-545 


Chapter  XXVI 

Chicago  Joint  Conference  that  Adopted  the  Eight-Hour  Work- 


day, 1898  - 546-552 

Constitution  District  5,  Adopted  March,  1898 553-555 

Altoona  Convention,  District  2,  1898 556-558 

Comparative  Wage  Scale  for  Pittsburg  District,  1897  and  1900 559-560 

Massillon,  Ohio,  Scale,  and  District  5 Sc.ale  for  1898 561-562 

Joint  Agreement  District  23,  for  1898 563-568 

Special  Convention  District  5,  May,  1898 569-570 

Wm.  Scaife’s  Reai.arks  on  Governor  T.vnner  of  Illinois 571 


Chapter  XXVII 

Pittsburg  Joint  Conference,  Operators  and  Miners,  May,  1898 572-574 

Special  Convention  and  Joint  Conference,  District  12,  ^Iay.  1898-575-580 
Indiana  Block  Coai.  and  Sub-District  2 of  District  5,  Proceed- 
ings   581-585 

Alabama  Miners  Convention  .vnd  .Joint  Agreejient 586-592 

West  Virginia  Co^vl  a Disturbing  Factor;  Wage  Sc.vle  for  Dis- 
trict 2,  AND  Special  Contention  District  5.  .\leust,  1898 593-598 


X 


Pages 


Chapter  XXVIII 

Joint  Agreejient  foe  Mines  on  the  Chicago  & Alton  R.ailroad, 

Illinois,  August,  1 80S  : 509-602 

CoN\’ENTiON,  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas,  October,  ISOS 603-605 

Killing  and  Maiming  of  Miners  at  A’irden,  Illinois,  and  the 

Battle  Scene  606-607 

Mitchell’s  Virden  Riot  Telegrams,  October  13,  ISOS 608 

Governor  Tanner’s  Portrait  600 

The  Lattimer,  Pennsylvania,  Massacre 610 

John  Kane  Monument,  189S 611 

Report  of  Convict  Mine  in  Tennessee,  October,  ISOS 612-613 

0‘Gara  & King,  Illinois  Joint  Agreejient,  Xovejiber,  ISOS,  and 

Scale  Prices  Before  Chicago  Joint  Agreement,  ISOS 614-615 

Chapter  XXIX 

Convention  of  Sub-District  6,  Ohio,  December,  ISOS 616-617 

Tenth  Annuai,  Convention  District  6,  January  5,  1S!)0 61S-625 

Tenth  National  Annual  Convention,  January  9,  ISOO 626-662 

Chapter  XXX 

Pittsburg  Interstate  Joint  Conference,  January  17,  1890_ 663-670 

Tenth  Annual  Convention  District  12,  February,  ISOO 671-682 

Iowa  and  District  12  Joint  Agreements,  jMarch,  ISOO 683-685 

Chapter  XXXI 

Second  Annual  Convention  District  19  and  Convention  of  Sub- 

District  2,  District  6,  March,  ISOO 6S6-680 

Ohio  Operators  Sign  Pittsburg  Scale,  March  16,  ISOO;  District  11 
Tenth  Annual  Convention  and  Sub-District  1,  District  12, 

Joint  Agreement,  March,  1809  600-704 

Chapter  XXXII 

Tyrone  Convention,  District  2,  March,  ISOO 705-707 

Organized  and  Unorganized  Miners’  Convention  at  I’it'isburg, 

March  28,  1890 708-716 

Indiana  and  Beaver  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  Joint  Agreements 717-722 

Eight-Hour  Celebration  and  Tennessee  Joint  Convention 723-728 

Chapter  XXXIII 

Pittsburg  Adjourned  Convention,  July,  ISOO,  and  Joint  Agree- 
ment, District  2,  Pennsylvania 729-732 

Montgomery,  West  Virginia,  and  Iowa  Annu^vl  Conventions 733-738 

D.  H.  Sullivan  and  the  Screen  Law.  Eesolutions  of  Respect  on 
Resignation  of  Vice-President  T.  W.  Davis  and  Admonitions 

OF  T.  L.  Lewis 730-741 

Joint  Agreement  at  Witt,  Illinois,  and  Xational  Auditors’  Re- 
port, October,  ISOO  742-746 

Convention  of  District  2,  Xovember,  1809,  and  Anthracite  Wage 

Agreement,  December,  1890  747-753 

Second  Annual  Convention  District  20,  December  11,  1890 754-755 

Myersdale  and  Maryland  Convention 756-750 

Chapter  XXXIV 

Convention  of  District  2,  December  12,  1809,  and  an  Illustrated 

Lecture  by  H.  W.  Smith  of  Veterans  of  Old 760-763 

Chapter  XXXV 

Joint  Wage  Scale  Agreements  for  1S9I-I809  Inclusiit; 1764-829 


XI 


PREFACE 


Having  been  introduced  to  the  readers  of  Volume  I it 
is  our  purpose  now  to  extend  further  knowledge  of  the 
work  done  and  advances  made  by  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America  from  January  1890  to  the  year  1900. 

The  favorable  comments  published  on  the  first  volume  are 
stimulating  and  give  prestige  for  further  effort  to  maintain 
the  standard  established. 

During  the  period  named  many  changes  have  taken  place, 
but  the  nature  of  those  changes  can  be  better  understood  by 
relating  incidents  that  have  transpired  and  actual  perform- 
ances entered  into. 

The  second  volume  contains  the  proceedings  of  the  con- 
vention held  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  January,  1890,  that  organ- 
ized the  factions  that  were  former  members  of  the  two  na- 
tional unions  of  mine  workers  in  the  United  States. 

In  the  illustrations  presented  the  faces  of  many  early 
pioneers  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  will  be 
observed. 

The  reader  will  also  find  that  active  participants  have 
written  their  own  biographies  in  deeds  of  valor  that  make 
further  comment  unnecessary,  because  the  actions  of  each, 
during  incumbency,  portray  with  clearness  the  true  char- 
acter of  the  good  work  accomplished. 

Somewhat  like  the  ending  of  the  fiction  story,  the  marriage 
ceremony  brought  about  changes  that  proved  beneficial.  A 
reform  much  needed  to  remove  some  of  the  evils  that  usually 
follow  all  semi-barbarous  actions,  no  matter  whether  the  in- 
centive comes  from  the  beast  in  the  field,  the  bird  in  the  air, 
or  is  the  product  of  humankind. 

Early  in  January,  1890,  there  was  a general  movement 
on  the  part  of  mine- workers  to  use  the  power  of  organ- 
ized effort  in  a way  that  would  bring  about  better  re- 
turns. Officers  and  members  alike  began  to  realize  the  folly 
of  the  course  they  had  pursued  for  several  years  past.  The 

(1) 


fighting  spirit,  so  ruthlessly  used,  was  telling  in  no  uncertain 
terms,  that  unless  they  showed  more  respect  for  themselves, 
the  mine-workers  would  soon  learn  the  fate  to  which  they  had 
so  willingly  subscribed.  The  contest  for  supremacy,  alone, 
began  to  show  up  the  recipients  that  were  enjoying  the  fruits 
in  chunks  of  no  small  magnitude. 

The  organizing  of  two  national  unions  for  one  trade  had 
created  a bitterness  of  feeling  in  all  mining  centers,  such  as 
was  never  known.  Peace  and  good  will  for  each  other  had 
lost  all  its  efficacy,  and  a feeling  next  akin  to  hatred  was  made 
manifest  in  all  places  where  the  members  of  one  organization 
came  in  contact  with  the  other.  Family  feuds  were  often 
found  amongst  the  most  active  workers,  because  of  the  cher- 
ished love  each  one  held  dear  for  the  organization  of  his 
choice.  There  came  a time,  however,  when  stern  realities  pre- 
dominated over  all  with  a grip  of  unshaken  assurance  that  the 
name  organization,  when  divided  into  fragments,  is  a mis- 
nomer and  proves  ineffectual,  because  the  name  itself  is 
mis-applied,  and  cannot  possibly  give  the  desired  relief. 

With  this  unnatural  condition  of  affairs  governing  the 
mining  craft  in  the  United  States,  the  bugle  call  for  alairni 
was  sounded ; the  stern  rebuke  for  man’s  inhumanity  to  him- 
self applied,  and  the  edict  sent  forth  to  let  the  dawn  of  light 
shine  on  all  thoughtful  minds  found  ready  for  reform. 

Chris.  Evans. 


(2) 


CHAPTER  I. 


A HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF 

AMERICA. 

The  renovation  work  to  centralize  the  forces  began  with 
Indiana  miners  taking  the  lead  in  an  exemplary  effort  to  bring 
about  the  much  needed  change. 

INDIANA  MINERS’  STATE  CONVENTION. 

The  Annual  Convention,  of  District  No.  11,  of  the  National 
Progressive  Union  of  Indiana,  was  held  in  the  G.  A.  R.  hall, 
Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  January  14,  1890. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  P.  H. 
Penna  who,  after  stating  the  objects  of  the  convention,  and 
the  appointment  of  a committee  on  credentials,  the  committee 
reported  the  following  delegates  entitled  to  seats  in  the  conven- 
tion : 

G.  W.  Lackey,  M.  Comesky,  C.  Badders,  Frank  Wheat, 
William  Small,  M.  Maher,  R.  R.  Sanford,  Allen  Raines,  J.  H. 
Watts,  James  G.  Strachan,  John  Kane,  T.  F.  Bolser,  John 
Mooney,  W.  Small. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  “On  the  dissolution  of  both 
organizations  to  work  for  the  interest  of  our  craft.  That  all 
machine  mined  coal  shall  not  be  based  at  a lower  rate  than  ten 
cents  per  ton  below  the  pick  mined  coal,  and  that  the  scale  for 
machine  mined  coal  shall  be  governed  by  the  scale  for  pick- 
mined  coal.  That  where  it  became  necessary,  in  bituminous 
coal,  for  an  operator  to  promote  his  interests,  to  change  from 
the  mode  of  paying  the  miners  for  screened  coal  to  that  of  pay- 
ing for  unscreened  coal,  the  price  per  ton  shall  be  70  per  cent 
of  the  price  then  being  paid  for  screened  coal.” 

Officers  elected  were  as  follows:  John  Kane,  President; 
Joseph  Dunkerly,  Vice-President;  Harvey  St.  John,  Secretary- 
Treasurer. 


(3) 


4 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Members  of  Executive  Board:  William  Winterbottom, 

P.  H.  Penna,  Frank  Lockhart. 

P.  H.  Penna  was  elected  by  acclamation  to  be  President 
Kane’s  alternate  to  the  Columbus  Convention. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF 
DISTRICT  NO.  10,  NATIONAL  PROGRESSIVE  UNION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Jan.  20,  1890. 
The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  District  President 
Chris  Evans,  who  briefly  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  and 
appointed  a committee  on  credentials.  After  a short  recess 
had  been  taken,  the  committee  appointed  reported  delegates 
entitled  to  seats  in  the  convention  as  follows : 

Alexander  Johnson,  Ebenezer  Lewis,  John  H.  Taylor,  Chris 
Evans,  Wm.  H.  Bassett,  Fred  Reisenger,  Samuel  Llewellyn, 
John  White,  John  Wilhelm,  Michael  Collins,  Jeff  Thornton, 
E.  H.  Lambers,  Ed.  Dawson,  John  Phillipson,  J.  Humphrey, 
W.  P.  Anderson,  John  A.  Peddicord,  C.  C.  Cheney,  John 
Thomas,  Joseph  Healey,  John  Glasgow,  G.  W.  Schultz,  John  A. 
James,  M.  S.  Wolford,  Michael  Ratchford,  R.  F.  Warren,  Ben- 
jamin Morgan,  Cameron  Miller,  W.  H.  Turner,  P.  P.  Andrews, 
James  Sargent,  Wm.  Banfield,  L.  W.  Hull,  J.  C.  Dunfee,  R.  J. 
Jones,  Frank  Longstreth,  James  Pritchard,  John  Crowe,  E.  J. 
Cobb,  John  W.  Jones,  John  P.  Jones,  Joseph  D.  Winkleman, 
Ralph  Raffle,  Lewis  Vaughan,  Fred  Wend,  John  S.  Davis, 
V.  E.  Sullivan. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials  was  by  motion 
accepted,  and  District  President  Evans  delivered  the  follow- 
ing address: 

ADDRESS  OF  PRESIDENT  EVANS, 

OF  DISTRICT  NO.  10,  OF  THE  NATIONAL  PROGRESSRT:  UNION  OF 
MINERS  AND  MINE  LABORERS,  TO  THE  REPRESENTATI\T:S  OF 
THE  SECOND  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  HELD  AT 
COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  JANUARY  20,  1890. 

To  the  Representatives  in  Convention  Assembled. 

Fellow  Workmen:  For  the  first  time  since  the  fomiation 

of  District  No.  10,  of  the  National  Progressive  Union,  you 


Reformation  Is  the  Watchword 


5 


have  assembled  together  as  the  representatives  of  the  Ohio 
constituency,  to  legislate  for  their  best  interest,  and  to  remove, 
as  far  as  possible,  the  load  they  are  compelled  to  carry  under 
existing  circumstances.  The  duties  assigned  you  are  of 
special  interest  to  the  craft,  and  we  feel  assured  that  the  con- 
fidence reposed  in  you  will  be  faithfully  observed,  and  like  the 
watch-dog  of  the  treasury,  we  trust  you  will  be  ever  mindful 
of  the  value  that  our  trade  union  has  been  to  us  in  Ohio  during 
the  last  eight  years.  It  is  worthy  of  special  care,  and  we  hope 
it  will  not  be  allowed  to  lose  any  of  its  former  prestige. 

In  submitting  my  first  annual  report  through  you  to  our 
members,  I desire  to  call  your  attention  to  a few  questions  that 
have  forced  themselves  upon  my  mind  as  being  worthy  of  your 
careful  consideration. 

For  several  years  past,  the  miners  of  Ohio  have  had  the 
reputation  of  being  better  organized  than  those  of  any  other 
state  in  the  Union. 

While  I believe  it  is  true  Ohio  miners  retain  a leading  place 
among  the  organized  members  of  our  craft,  we  should  not  be 
unmindful  of  the  fact  that  the  discordant  element  among  us 
are  continually  putting  in  their  work  of  destruction,  and  the 
evil  consequences  that  follow  are  forcible  reminders  that 
demoralization  is  dangerous,  and  works  great  injury  to  all 
concerned. 

The  means  of  removing  the  cause  that  is  impeding  our 
progress  is  one  of  the  leading  questions  you  have  met  to  con- 
sider, and  in  the  discussions  that  will  follow,  your  attention 
will  doubtless  be  called  to  a number  of  seeming  obstacles  that 
stand  in  the  way. 

That  our  miners  have  suffered  many  privations  through 
the  conflicting  power  of  too  many  organizations,  no  one  can 
question,  and  the  removal  of  that  power  is  the  question  upon 
which  the  miners  expect  relief. 

The  problem  will  come  before  you  for  solution,  and  it 
should  be  acted  upon  in  such  a manner  as  will  leave  no  room 
for  the  miners  to  suspect  that  we  are  not  sincere  in  our  advo- 
cacy to  relieve  their  wants.  Pet  schemes  and  hobby-riding 
should  be  placed  far  enough  in  the  rear  to  prevent  them  from 
interfering  in  any  way  with  the  main  questions  at  issue.  The 
over-production  of  organizations  that  has  played  such  a dis- 
gusting part  in  reducing  the  powers  of  practical  organized 
effort  in  the  past  few  years,  should  find  no  resting  place  among 
miners  in  the  future.  Every  miner  should  go  hand  in  hand 
with  his  fellow-worker,  and  take  away  the  substance  that 
gives  life  to  the  fell  destroyer  of  your  future  happiness  and 
comfort.  Build  up  an  organization  of  your  own  choice — one 
that  will  meet  the  wants  of  mine  workers  everywhere,  and 


6 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


place  the  members  of  our  trade  upon  a higher  standard  of  life, 
equal  to  that  which  their  calling  entitles  them  to  occupy.  In 
treating  upon  this  question  of  one  organization  for  the  miners, 
I feel  anxious  to  do  my  whole  duty  to  try  to  consummate  the 
object  we  have  in  view,  but  in  doing  so,  I want  to  see  every 
miner  and  mine  laborer  placed  on  equal  terms  with  his  fellow- 
worker.  Justice  to  all  and  special  privileges  to  none,  is  my 
motto.  If  we  are  all  as  anxious  to  lend  our  aid  in  the  removal 
of  the  barriers  to  success,  as  public  and  private  expressions 
from  members  and  officials  of  both  miners’  organizations 
would  lead  us  to  believe,  no  method  of  organization  that  exists 
at  present  will  stand  in  the  way  of  building  up  another  shorn 
of  every  vestige  of  power  that  has  a tendency  to  prevent  the 
formation  of  one  grand  organization  for  the  miners  of 
America,  open  as  the  noon-day  sun,  and  as  free  to  every  mem- 
ber of  the  mining  craft  as  the  air  we  breathe. 

Strikes. 

Our  inability  to  agree  upon  a scale  of  prices  with  the 
operators  of  this  competitive  coal  field  in  the  early  part  of  last 
year,  opened  up  the  way  for  unscrupulous  operators  to  take 
undue  advantage  in  many  places. 

While  it  is  true,  that  we  entered  into  an  agreement  with  a 
majority  of  the  duly  elected  representatives  of  the  operators 
of  Ohio  on  a scale  of  prices  for  the  year  ending  May  1,  1890, 
it  is  also  true  that  other  arrangements  were  entered  into  with 
Hocking  operators  that  contributed  largely  towards  crippling 
any  elforts  on  our  part  to  enforce  justice  at  the  hands  of  un- 
•fair  men. 

At  the  annual  convention  held  in  Columbus  one  year  ago, 
several  complaints  were  made  of  impositions  practiced  upon 
miners,  and  efforts  were  made  to  remedy  the  evils.  In  some 
cases  we  succeeded,  while  in  other  important  ones  we  failed. 
The  condition  of  trade  was  such  as  to  prevent  us  from  enter- 
ing into  a contest  with  any  prospect  of  success,  hence  many 
miners  have  had  to  suffer  in  consequence.  There  are  a few 
cases  in  the  state  that  require  attention  as  soon  as  the  oppor- 
tunity presents  itself,  and  we  hope  the  time  is  not  far  distant 
when  justice  will  be  enforced,  and  the  unscrupulous  employer 
made  to  feel  that  true  unionism  is  surrounding  him  with  a 
determination  to  command  respect  for  all  workmen  under  his 
employ. 

At  our  last  annual  meeting,  a committee  of  seven  mem- 
bers was  elected  to  attend  the  joint  meetings  with  the  oper- 
ators, and  the  expense  incurred  for  this  purpose,  alone,  has 
reached  several  hundred  dollars  during  the  past  year.  While 
there  is  very  little  reason  to  believe,  at  present,  that  joint 


Reformation  Is  the  Watchword 


7 


meetings  with  operators  will  be  very  frequent  during  the  com- 
ing year,  yet  I feel  it  my  duty  to  call  your  attention  to  this 
matter,  and  suggest  that  it  be  not  repeated.  Should  meetings, 
of  the  same  nature,  be  required  in  the  future,  three  members 
are  sufficient,  according  to  my  judgment,  and  the  amount  of 
money  saved  to  the  organization  is  a matter  well  worthy  your 
consideration. 

The  creation  of  a defense  fund,  to  assist  in  the  establish- 
ment of  better  prices  during  the  coming  year,  is,  I believe,  one 
of  the  best  provisions  that  can  be  made  by  the  members  for 
self-preservation.  The  best  paid  members  of  organizations 
that  we  have  today  are  those  that  make  provisions,  in  a finan- 
cial way,  to  meet  any  emergencies  that  arise  when  justice  is 
required  by  the  workers.  I am  heartily  in  favor  of  support- 
ing the  proposition  made  to  create  a defense  fund,  and  believe 
that  many  of  the  unjust  propositions  made  by  operators  would 
never  be  heard  of,  if  every  miner  and  mine  laborer  had,  at  his 
command,  a few  dollars  to  draw  upon  when  necessity  required 
it.  It  is  useless  for  us  to  contend  against  combined  capital 
unless  we  are  in  a position  to  meet  it  on  similar  grounds. 

I would  not  hesitate  to  engage  in  a contest  with  miners 
against  operators,  that  were  dealing  unfairly,  had  we  a 
treasury  of  only  three  dollars  per  head  to  start  upon ; but  the 
experience  of  the  bitter  struggles  that  have  lately  been  encoun- 
tered, by  members  of  our  craft,  through  a lack  of  the  neces- 
sary provisions  to  keep  the  wolf  from  their  door,  is  a warning 
that  should  be  heeded  in  future  years,  and  let  us  prepare  for 
the  change  necessary  to  meet  the  issue. 

The  question  of  a reduction  in  the  hours  of  labor,  to  eight 
per  day,  is  another  important  subject  that  you  will  have  to 
grapple  with,  and  no  effort  should  be  spared  to  bring  about 
the  reduction  of  hours  proposed.  A reduction  in  the  hours  of 
labor  is  a measure  that  almost  all  workingmen  agree  upon. 
Eight  hours  is  certainly  a very  fair  division  of  the  time 
allotted  daily  for  work,  sleep  and  recreation.  The  first  step 
then  towards  securing  the  miner  his  share  of  the  blessings  of 
civilization  is  to  make  a concerted  move  to  reduce  the  hours 
of  toil  and  increase  the  hours  of  recreation  and  rest. 

Some  object  to  a reduction  on  the  ground  that  they  will 
have  to  work  for  less  wages  in  proportion  to  the  hours 
decreased.  I cannot  agree  that  the  change  will  be  injurious 
to  the  miner  in  any  sense,  but  granting  that  some  sacrifice 
would  have  to  be  made,  I would  willingly  yield  that  point  in 
order  to  introduce  a system  and  establish  a principle  that  will 
enable  us  to  limit  the  power  of  production  in  accordance  with 
the  necessary  demand.  Employers  are  telling  thousands  of 
workers  that  their  services  are  not  wanted,  with  such  a reali- 


8 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


zation  before  us,  is  it  not  time  to  prepare  some  means  whereby 
we  can  offer  some  relief  to  them?  And  the  additional  thou- 
sands that  are  growing  among  us,  will  be  forced  by  the  sur- 
rounding circumstances  to  accept  whatever  terms  may  be  pro- 
posed to  them  in  order  to  sustain  those  depending  upon  them 
for  support.  Lessen  the  power  of  the  operator  to  name  the 
rate  of  wages  by  using  the  necessities  of  one  against  the  other, 
and  wages  will  increase  as  the  power  of  production  diminishes. 

Restriction  of  the  daily  output  at  our  mines  is  another 
mode  by  which  the  supply  can  be  regulated  in  accordance  with 
the  demand. 

Suspension,  at  stated  intervals,  is  also  one  of  the  methods 
that  will,  in  my  judgment,  give  us  relief.  These  questions, 
with  many  others,  need  to  be  thoroughly  discussed  by  you,  and 
no  doubt  will  receive  careful  consideration  at  your  hands.  In 
closing  my  report,  I desire  to  express  my  sincere  and  heartfelt 
thanks  to  the  miners,  in  general,  for  the  confidence  and  good 
will  they  have  bestowed  upon  me,  while  serving  in  my  official 
capacity  as  their  servant.  The  mistakes  I have  made,  during 
my  service  among  you,  have,  at  no  time,  been  intentional  on 
my  part,  and  I trust  that  experience  has  taught  us  lessons 
that  will  be  of  much  benefit  to  my  successor  in  office. 

To  my  fellow  officers  that  were  elected  with  me  to  look 
after  the  affairs  of  the  organization,  I have  nothing  but  words 
of  praise  and  commendation  for  the  kind  assistance  given  in 
the  performance  of  my  official  duties.  Our  relations  with  each 
other  have  been  of  the  kindest  nature,  at  all  times,  and  while 
the  duties  I have  been  called  upon  to  perform  by  our  co- 
workers in  the  trades  union  movement  in  America,  will,  for  a 
time,  cause  our  personal  visits  to  be  less  frequent,  you  can  rest 
assured  that  my  voice  and  pen  will  be  always  with  you,  no 
matter  where  I am,  or  what  duties  I may  be  called  upon  to  per- 
form. Very  respectfully  submitted. 

Yours  truly, 

Chris  Evans,  President. 

The  address  of  President  Evans  was  accepted  and  its  con- 
tents duly  considered. 

The  report  of  the  auditing  committee  commended  highly 
the  work  of  Secretary  Ebenezer  Lewis  for  the  creditable  man- 
ner in  which  he  had  discharged  his  official  duties  and  reported 
a balance  of  $957.13  in  the  District  treasury,  December  31, 
1889. 

John  McBride,  President  of  the  National  Progressive 
Union;  Thomas  W.  Davis,  Vice-President,  and  David  Ross,  of 


Reformation  Is  the  Watchword 


9 


Illinois,  explained  at  length  to  the  District  Convention,  the 
terms  and  language  used  in  the  joint  circular  issued,  and  the 
proposed  method  by  which  the  two  National  Unions  intended 
to  unite. 

With  a love  of  battle  for  the  right,  the  Ohio  miners,  under 
the  leadership  of  John  McBride  since  April,  1882,  had  learned 
the  value  of  discipline  in  times  of  distress,  but,  to  give  up  the 
organization  that  had  been  their  aid  and  support  under  any 
and  all  circumstances,,  was  a test  of  loyalty  hard  to  overcome. 
The  day  and  hour  had  arrived,  however,  when  necessity  in  its 
strongest  form  prompted  them  to  act  with  discretion  and 
valor,  and  they  accepted  the  inevitable  with  the  best  grace 
possible,  as  follows: 

“Resolved,  That  we,  the  members  of  District  No.  10,  of  the 
National  Progressive  Union,  are  hereby  heartily  in  favor  of 
the  amalgamation  of  the  miners  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 

“That  the  future  consideration  of  the  remainder  of  the 
proposition  of  the  joint  circular  be  referred  to  the  National 
Convention  for  future  action.” 

District  officers  were  elected  as  follows : 

President,  John  P.  Jones;  Vice  President,  Wm.  H.  Turner; 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Ebenezer  Lewis. 

Executive  Board  members : Charles  Call,  John  A.  Peddi- 

cord,  John  D.  Winkleman,  Michael  Collins. 

A vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  to  the  retiring  officers,  the 
re-indorsement  of  the  National  Labor  Tribune  as  the  official 
organ,  and  the  Convention  adjourned. 

Chris  Evans,  President. 

Ebenezer  Lewis,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

In  response  to  a call  issued  by  John  McBride,  President  of 
the  National  Progressive  Union,  a convention  was  held  at 
Columbus,  Ohio,  January  22,  1890,  at  10 :30  a.  m.  After  call- 
ing the  convention  to  order,  the  President  appointed  a commit- 
tee on  credentials,  and  on  their  report  being  made,  ninety-one 
delegates  were  declared  to  be  entitled  to  seats  in  the  conven- 
tion. 

In  his  address  to  the  delegates,  at  the  afternoon  session. 
President  McBride  took  strong  grounds  in  his  advocacy  favor- 


10 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ing  one  organization  for  the  mine  workers,  urging  upon  the 
officers  and  members  of  the  National  Progressive  Union  the 
necessity  of  putting  into  practice  the  plan  proposed  by  the 
joint  circular  issued,  to  have  one  set  of  officers  to  rule  and 
govern  the  divided  forces. 

The  effort  made  to  bring  this  about,  one  year  ago,  having 
failed,  he  was  still  willing  to  make  a second  venture  for  and  in 
the  interest  of  the  much-needed  change.  He  made  an  earnest 
plea  for  the  adoption  of  the  eight-hour  day,  and  an  increase 
in  the  wages  being  paid.  When  the  National  Progressive 
Union  was  organized,  the  constitution  provided  for  two  secre- 
taries. Believing  that  there  was  only  one  necessary,  he  advised, 
that  when  the  election  was  held,  the  name,  or  names,  should 
be  changed  to  that  of  secretary-treasurer.  He  gave  sound 
reasons  for  the  necessity  of  a closer  unity  of  action  in  mining 
affairs,  and  pointed  out  the  weakness  shown  during  the  past 
few  years,  because  of  the  division  of  strength  that  had  been 
so  relentlessly  spent  against  the  best  interest  of  the  members 
of  both  National  Unions. 

Honorable  N.  R.  Hysell,  Speaker  of  the  Ohio  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, and  Honorable  Samuel  Llewellyn,  another  mem- 
ber of  the  Ohio  legislature,  both  former  officers  of  the  Na- 
tional Progressive  Union,  made  some  very  interesting  and 
appropriate  remarks  on  the  future  prospects  of  the  miners  in 
their  solidified  form,  expressing  freely  their  desires  and  antici- 
pation of  the  advantage  that  would  be  gained  for  the  mine- 
workers,  as  a whole,  in  the  adoption  of  the  plan  proposed. 

The  report  of  Financial  Secretary  Patrick  McBryde  gave 
an  interestiiig  resume  of  the  work  done,  in  which  he  spoke 
of  the  wavering  of  membership,  going  backward  and  fonvard 
during  the  year,  because  of  the  dissatisfaction  among  the 
members  of  both  organizations,  and  the  transition  from  one 
union  to  the  other.  His  report  stated  that  at  one  time  there 
were  3,000  members,  and  at  another  time  15,000  members  had 
been  enrolled ; that  by  the  end  of  the  month,  the  organization 
will  have  attained  a greater  membership  than  at  any  time 
since  its  institution. 

David  Ross,  of  the  auditing  committee,  reported  that  they 
had  examined  the  books  of  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  found 


Reformation  Is  the  Watchword 


11 


them  correct,  with  receipts  for  the  year  amounting  to 
$9,093.94 ; expenses  $8,955.06 ; with  a balance  in  the  treasury 
of  $138.88. 

After  some  discussion  on  the  question  of  machine  mining, 
a committee  consisting  of  William  Clark  of  Indiana,  Joseph 
Harrison  of  Illinois,  T.  W.  Davis  of  Pennsylvania,  and  William 
Barclay  of  Ohio  was  appointed  to  consider  the  matter  and 
report  a plan  of  action  to  the  convention. 

Earnest  consideration  of  the  convention  was  given  to  the 
question  of  consolidation,  after  which  the  committee  appointed 
reported  as  follows:  . 

Whereas,  The  competitive  district  convention,  at  its  session 
in  Indianapolis  last  month,  declared  in  favor  of  one  organiza- 
tion, one  defense  fund,  one  set  of  officers  and  equal  taxation; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  a dissolution  of  both  organiza- 
tions to  the  extent  that  the  objects  therein  specified  may  be 
accomplished.  The  report  was  adopted  unanimously. 

Committee : 

David  Ross, 

P.  H.  Penna, 

A.  M.  Ferrell, 

W.  H.  Turner, 

James  Cole, 

William  Warburton. 

A committee  was  appointed  to  meet  a similar  committee 
from  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor,  to 
arrange  the  order  of  business  for  the  joint  convention,  as  fol- 
lows: John  McBride,  John  Kane,  Ebenezer  Howells. 

Telegrams  were  received  from  President  Gompers,  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Labor,  and  Secretary  Martin,  of  the 
Iron  and  Steel  Workers’  Association,  congratulating  the  Pro- 
gressive Union  upon  the  prospects  of  the  amalgamation.  John 
Kane  was  appointed  Assistant  Secretary,  and  the  convention 
adjourned. 

John  McBride,  President. 

Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary. 

National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor,  held 
their  convention  in  the  City  Hall,  January  22,  1890.  The  com- 
mittee on  credentials  appointed  reported  109  delegates  entitled 


12 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


to  seats  in  the  convention,  a large  portion  of  which  were  said 
to  come  from  the  coke  regions  of  Pennsylvania.  The  mem- 
bership of  the  National  Union  was  not  stated. 

The  business  of  the  convention  being  secret  in  character, 
sometimes  prevented  the  outside  world  from  knowing  what 
was  going  on.  It  was  learned,  however,  that  in  the  discussion 
of  the  question  of  consolidation,  there  was  found  an  opposing 
force,  and  for  this  reason  the  National  officials  felt  called  upon 
to  take  a firm  stand  in  favor  of  the  plan  agreed  to.  After  due 
deliberation,  however,  the  speeches  of  Master  Workman  Rae, 
and  Secretary  Watchorn,  proved  effective,  and  the  following 
resolution  was  adopted : 

“Resolved,  That  we  approve  the  action  of  the  national 
officers  and  approve  the  plan  of  amalgamation  laid  down  bj^ 
them.” 

Master  Workman  Rae,  Secretary  Watchorn  and  Daniel 
Lennon  were  appointed  to  meet  the  committee  from  the  Na- 
tional Progressive  Union,  to  make  further  arrangements  for 
the  joint  convention. 

A letter  from  Grand  Master  Workman  Powderly  said  in 
part: 

I see  by  the  papers  and  am  reliably  informed  by  your 
officers  that  something  grand  is  promised  for  the  23d,  and,  by 
the  way,  as  that  happens  on  my  birthday,  I hope  it  will  be  cele- 
brated by  something  being  done  for  the  permanent  good  of 
the  miners  of  America. 

At  the  joint  committee  meeting  held  at  the  Grand  Central 
hotel  Wednesday  evening.  John  IMcBride  was  chosen  chair- 
man, and  Robert  Watchorn  secretary.  The  joint  committee 
consisted  of  John  McBride,  John  Kane  and  Ebenezer  Howells 
for  the  National  Progressive  Union,  and  John  B.  Rae,  Robert 
Watchorn,  and  Daniel  Lennon  for  National  District  Assembly 
135,  Knights  of  Labor. 

It  was  agreed,  1st,  That  the  Joint  Convention  should  be 
called  to  order  by  John  B.  Rae,  and  officers  elected.  2d,  That 
the  Joint  Agreement  drafted  should  be  read  to  the  Conven- 
tion. 3d,  That  the  discussion  on  consolidation  be  opened  by 
John  McBride,  followed  by  John  B.  Rae,  the  time  be  limited 
to  twenty  minutes  each,  and  in  the  general  discussion  each 


Two  National  Unions  Meet  Jointly 


13 


speaker  to  have  ten  minutes  time.  No  delegate  to  speak  more 
than  twice  until  all  others  desiring  to  do  so  have  been  heard. 
4th,  That  no  resolution  be  adopted  unless  it  receives  a three- 
fourths  majority  vote  of  each  organization,  the  vote  to  be 
taken  by  calling  the  “Yeas”  and  “Nays,”  the  roll  to  be  called 
by  the  respective  secretaries  of  both  organizations.  5th,  That 
after  the  result  of  each  vote  is  announced,  any  delegate  may 
change  his  vote,  or  a second  ballot  may  be  ordered.  6th,  That 
representatives  of  the  press  be  admitted  to  the  Joint  Proceed- 
ings. 

THURSDAY  MORNING,  JANUARY  23,  1890. 

The  Joint  Convention  of  National  District  Assembly  135, 
Knights  of  Labor,  and  the  National  Progressive  Union  was 
called  to  order  at  the  City  Hall,  at  9 :45  a.  m.,  by  John  B.  Rae, 
and  officers  were  elected  as  follows:  John  B.  Rae,  chairman; 
John  McBride,  vice-chairman;  Patrick  McBryde,  secretary, 
and  Robert  Watchorn,  assistant  secretary. 

“The  Plan  of  Amalgamation,”  proposed  by  the  officers  of 
the  two  organizations,  was  then  read,  as  follows : 

1.  To  unite  the  two  organizations  under  one  head,  to  gov- 
ern and  protect  the  interest  of  the  miners  and  mine  laborers. 
This  union  to  be  effected  without  sacrificing  the  essential 
features  of  either  organization. 

2.  The  organization  to  be  divided  into  national,  district 
and  local  divisions,  the  meetings  of  which  are  to  be  either 
secret  or  open,  as  the  members  may  determine  or  the  exigen- 
cies of  the  case  may  require;  that  is  to  say,  the  meaning  of 
the  terms  “open  or  secret”  shall  be  construed  as  applying  to 
the  meetings  of  the  National  Progressive  Union  or  National 
District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor. 

3.  Equal  taxation  upon  affiliated  members. 

4.  One  staff  of  officers  for  the  National  and  each  district 
and  local  organization,  in  which  due  provision  shall  be  made 
for  visiting  and  directing  the  business  of  both  branches  of  the 
organization. 

John  McBride,  President  of  the  National  Progressive 
Union,  as  per  arrangement,  made  an  address  in  which  he 
advocated,  in  strong  terms,  the  necessity  of  sinking  all  differ- 


14 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ences  and  consolidating  at  all  hazards.  Master  Workman,  John 
B.  Rae,  of  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor, 
followed  and  indorsed  the  remarks  made  by  McBride. 

The  general  discussion  that  followed  was  animated,  full  of 
spirit  almost  reaching  the  point  of  disagreement  by  members 
of  both  organizations  when  it  was  moved  to  adjourn. 

On  re-assembling  at  3:30  p.  m.,  a substitute  offered  by 
John  H.  Taylor,  of  the  Hocking  Valley,  at  the  morning  ses- 
sion, to  adopt  the  resolution  agreed  to  at  the  convention  of  the 
National  Progressive  Union  was  withdrawn,  after  an  explana- 
tion from  President  John  McBride. 

On  further  remarks  being  made  by  Master  Workman 
John  B.  Rae,  of  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of 
Labor,  that  the  members  of  135  would  be  governed  by  the  con- 
stitution of  the  new  organization,  a resolution  presented  by 
John  Nugent,  of  National  District  Assembly  135,  indorsing 
the  plan  proposed  by  the  officers  of  the  two  National  organiza- 
tions, was  considered,  and  after  a vote  being  taken,  section  by 
section,  on  its  adoption.  National  District  Assembly  135  cast 
103  votes  in  favor  of  it,  and  the  National  Progressive  Lffiion 
delegates  cast  81  votes  for  and  10  against  the  plan  proposed. 

T.  W.  Davis,  Vice  President  of  the  National  Progressive 
Union,  voted  against  the  plan  because  he  wanted  one  organiza- 
tion formed  by  the  dissolution  of  both.  On  this  point  several 
other  delegates  agreed.  When  the  vote  was  announced,  there 
was  a burst  of  enthusiasm  that  indicated  practically  a unani- 
mous sentiment  for  the  conclusions  reached. 

Thomas  Benson  and  V.  Morgan,  of  Shawnee,  Ohio,  and 
Joseph  Welch,  of  the  coke  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  voted 
against  the  plan  because  they  were  instructed  to  do  so.  They 
expressed  themselves,  however,  in  favor  of  consolidating  the 
forces.  There  were  nine  delegates  from  Westeim  Pennsylva- 
nia, representing  unorganized  men;  all  finally  voted  for  the 
plan. 

At  the  suggestion  of  John  McBride,  committees  on  rules 
and  constitution  were  appointed,  consisting  of  five  membei's 
from  each  organization,  including  the  President  and  Secretaiy 
of  both  organizations,  to  report  a Constitution  not  later  than 
3 p.  m.  Friday, 


Two  National  Unions  Meet  Jointly 


15 


Committee  on  Constitution:  John  B.  Rae,  Robt.  Watchorn, 
James  White,  of  Pennsylvania,  Robert  Linn,  Kansas,  L.  M. 
Beatty,  Ohio,  for  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of 
Labor,  and  David  Ross,  Illinois,  John  Kane,  Indiana,  John 
McBride,  Patrick  McBryde  and  John  H.  Taylor,  Ohio,  for  the 
National  Progressive  Union. 

Committee  on  Order  of  Business. 

W.  B.  Wilson,  Pennsylvania,  James  O’Donnell,  Ohio,  John 
Kennedy,  Indiana,  for  National  District  Assembly  135, 
Knights  of  Labor,  and  P.  H.  Penna,  Indiana,  M.  F.  Moran, 
West  Virginia,  William  Scaife,  Illinois,  for  the  National  Pro- 
gressive Union. 

Committee  on  Machine  Mining. 

Benjamin  Boden,  Ohio,  J.  Roberts,  Indiana,  D.  Thomas, 
Illinois,  for  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor, 
and  David  Barclay,  Ohio,  William  Clark,  Indiana,  and  James 
Harrison  of  Illinois,  for  the  National  Progressive  Union. 

W.  B.  Wilson  of  Pennsylvania,  in  an  interesting  address 
on  the  strike  situation  at  Punxsutawney,  Pennsylvania,  made 
an  earnest  appeal  for  aid  for  the  destitute  families  there,  that 
had  been  turned  out  of  their  houses  by  the  coal  company  in 
mid-winter.  The  delegates  contributed  one  hundred  dollars 
for  the  relief  of  the  evicted  miners. 

Honorable  Andrew  Roy,  former  state  inspector  of  mines 
for  Ohio,  spoke  encouragingly  on  the  aims  and  objects  of  the 
department  of  mining  engineering  at  Ohio  State  University, 
and  urged  the  delegates  to  agitate  and  establish  such  schools 
in  all  mining  states. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned. 

FRIDAY  MORNING  SESSION,  JANUARY  24,  1890. 

The  Joint  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  9 a.  m.  After 
a few  preliminary  remarks,  John  B.  Rae,  chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Constitution,  read  their  report,  some  portions 
of  which  created  warm  and  interesting  debates.  The  Consti- 
tution provided  that  officers  must  belong  to  both  organiza- 
tions, and  this  question,  together  with  the  amount  of  tax  and 
salary  of  officers  that  should  be  paid,  caused  some  rather  bitter 


16 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


speeches  to  be  made,  so  much  so,  that  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  waive  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  until  later  on,  and 
adjourn  for  dinner. 

At  the  afternoon  session  the  following  committees  were 
appointed : 

Eight-hour  Question — M.  Moran,  West  Virginia;  William 
Blakely,  Indiana;  William  Barker,  Pennsylvania;  W.  C. 
Webb,  Kentucky;  A.  O’Neal,  Tennessee;  John  Angus,  Coke 
regions,  Pennsylvania. 

Scale  of  Wages — P.  Butterfield,  Illinois;  J.  P.  Jones,  Ohio; 
M.  Comiskey,  Indiana;  J.  Meade,  West  Virginia;  H.  M. 
Laughlin,  John  McGinley,  and  P.  Collins,  Pennsylvania. 

Resolutions — Samuel  Llewellyn,  Ohio ; M.  Maher,  Indiana ; 
R.  Monohan,  Illinois;  W.  B.  Wilson  & John  Ashworth,  Penn- 
sylvania; James  Corrigan,  Coke  Regions,  Pennsylvania. 

Defense  Fund — John  Nugent,  Ohio;  William  Scaife,  Illi- 
nois ; A.  M.  Farrel,  Kentucky ; M.  McQuade  and  Thomas  But- 
ler, Pennsylvania ; John  Kennedy,  Indiana. 

Owing  to  a desire  on  the  part  of  National  District  Assem- 
bly 135,  Knights  of  Labor,  to  meet  in  secret  session,  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  some  sections  of  the  Constitution, 
among  which  was  one  referring  to  the  qualifications  of  officers, 
the  Joint  Convention  adjourned  until  3 o’clock. 

When  the  Joint  Convention  re-assembled,  blaster  Work- 
man Rae  stated  that  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights 
of  Labor,  had  arrived  at  a unanimous  conclusion  favoring  that 
section  of  the  Constitution  that  had  caused  so  much  debate. 
The  section  was  then  read  and  adopted  by  the  Joint  Conven- 
tion. 

The  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  as  a whole,  was  deferred 
until  the  committee  had  completed  its  work.  Robert  Linn  hav- 
ing resigned  as  a member  of  the  Executive  Board  of  National 
District  Assembly  135,  and  having  withdrawn  from  the 
Assembly,  James  Keegan  of  the  Coke  Regions,  Pennsylvania, 
was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy  on  the  Committee  on  Consti- 
tution. 

The  Convention  adjourned  until  Saturday,  to  give  the 
committees  an  opportunity  to  work. 


Amalgamation  Is  Successful 


17 


SATURDAY  MORNING  SESSION,  JANUARY  25,  1890. 

The  Joint  Convention  of  National  District  Assembly  135, 
Knights  of  Labor,  and  the  National  Progressive  Union  was 
called  to  order  at  9 a.  m. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  as  follows : 

“Declaring  the  determination  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  to  put  the  eight-hour  work-day  in  force  May  1. 

“That,  hereafter,  no  contracts  for  mining  or  hauling  coal 
shall  be  made  without  the  approval  of  the  Executive  Board, 
and  that  all  existing  contracts,  where  practicable,  be  termi- 
nated on  May  1 ; where  not  practicable,  they  may  be  termi- 
nated as  soon  as  the  Executive  Board  may  deem  it  advisable.” 
Resolutions  were  adopted,  demanding,  by  legislation  or  other- 
wise, the  abolition  of  company  stores,  their  being  injurious  to 
operators,  who  pay  scale  rates,  agreeing  to  stand  by  the  Coke 
workers  of  the  Connelsville  region,  who  are  about  to  demand 
a new  scale  of  wages ; indorsing  the  Trades  Journal  and  Na- 
tional Labor  Tribune,  as  official  organs  of  the  Union;  declar- 
ing no  local  union  or  assembly  justified  in  discriminating 
against  any  person  securing  or  retaining  work  because  of 
African  descent;  recommending  that  the  keeping  of  large 
bodies  of  non-resident  armed  police  in  any  community  is  liable 
to  create  riot  and  should  be  abolished  by  statute ; recommend- 
ing that  delegates  to  the  Convention  do  all  in  their  power  to 
secure  immediate  contributions  for  the  support  of  the  striking 
miners  at  Punxsutawney,  Pennsylvania.” 

The  following  resolution  by  David  Ross  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

“Whereas,  Honorable  John  McBride,  for  many  years  the 
able  and  faithful  representative  of  our  numerous  craftsmen, 
finds  it  necessary  to  sever  his  official  relation  with  our  organi- 
zation, yet  holds  himself  ever  ready  to  use  his  influence  to  pro- 
mote our  interests  as  miners ; therefore,  be  it 

“Resolved,  That  as  a recognition  of  his  distinguished  ser- 
vices, he  is  hereby  declared  an  honorary  member  of  this 
organization.” 

After  several  weeks’  time  had  been  spent,  the  Preamble 
and  Constitution  in  full,  that  was  finally  adopted,  reads  as 
follows : 


18 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


PREAMBLE  AND  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED 
MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

Esiablished  January  25,  1S90. 

PREAMBLE. 

There  is  no  fact  more  generally  known,  nor  more  widely 
believed,  than  that  without  coal  there  would  not  have  been 
any  such  grand  achievements,  privileges  and  blessings  as  those 
which  characterize  the  nineteenth  century  civilization,  and 
believing,  as  we  do,  that  those  whose  lot  it  is  to  daily  toil  in 
the  recesses  of  the  earth,  mining  and  putting  out  this  coal 
which  makes  these  blessings  possible,  are  entitled  to  a fair  and 
equitable  share  of  the  same.  Therefore,  we  have  formed  “The 
United  Mine  Workers”  of  America,  for  the  purpose  of  the 
more  readily  securing  the  objects  sought,  by  educating  all 
mine  workers  in  America  to  realize  the  necessity  of  unity  of 
action  and  purpose,  in  demanding  and  securing,  by  lawful 
means,  the  just  fruits  of  our  toil.  And  we  hereby  declare  to 
the  world  that  our  objects  are: 

1.  To  secure  an  earning  fully  compatible  with  the  dangers 
of  our  calling  and  the  labor  performed. 

2.  To  establish,  es  speedily  as  possible,  and  forever,  our 
right  to  receive  pay,  for  labor  performed,  in  lawful  money  and 
to  rid  ourselves  of  the  iniquitous  system  of  spending  our 
money  wherever  our  employers  see  fit  to  designate. 

3.  To  secure  the  introduction  of  any  and  all  well-defined 
and  established  appliances  for  the  preservation  of  life,  health 
and  limbs  of  all  mine  employes. 

4.  To  reduce  to  the  lowest  possible  minimum  the  awful 
catastrophes  which  have  been  sweeping  our  fellow  craftsmen 
to  untimely  graves  by  the  thousands ; by  securing  legisla^n 
looking  to  the  most  perfect  system  of  ventilation,  drainage,  etc. 

5.  To  enforce  existing  laws;  and  where  none  exist,  enact 
and  enforce  them;  calling  for  a plentiful  supplj"  of  suitable 
timber  for  supporting  the  roof,  pillars,  etc.,  and  to  have  all 
working  places  rendered  as  free  from  water  and  impure  air 
and  poisonous  gases  as  possible. 

6.  To  uncompromisingly  demand  that  eight  hours  shall 
constitute  a day’s  work,  and  that  not  more  than  eight  hours 
shall  be  worked  in  any  one  day  by  any  mine  worker.  The  very 
nature  of  our  employment,  shut  out  from  the  sunlight  and 
pure  air,  working  by  the  aid  of  artificial  light  (in  no  instance 
to  exceed  one-candle  power) , would,  in  itself,  strongly  indicate 
that,  of  all  men,  a coal  miner  has  the  most  righteous  claim  to 
an  eight-hour  day. 

7.  To  provide  for  the  education  of  our  children  by  lawfully 
prohibiting  their  employment  until  they  have  attained  a rea- 


Joint  Preamble  and  Constitution 


19 


sonably  satisfactory  education,  and  in  every  case  until  they 
have  attained  fourteen  years  of  age. 

. 8.  To  abrogate  all  laws  which  enable  coal  operators  to 
cheat  the  miners,  and  to  substitute  laws  which  will  enable  the 
miner,  under  the  protection  and  majesty  of  the  State,  to  have 
his  coal  properly  weighed  or  measured,  as  the  case  may  be. 

9.  To  secure,  by  legislation,  weekly  payments  in  lawful 
money. 

10.  To  render  it  impossible,  by  legislative  enactment  in 
every  state  (as  is  now  the  case  in  the  State  of  Ohio),  for  coal 
operators  or  corporations  to  employ  Pinkerton  detectives  or 
guards,  or  other  forces  (except  the  ordinary  forces  of  the 
State),  to  take  armed  possession  of  the  mines  in  cases  of 
strikes  or  lockouts. 

11.  To  use  all  honorable  means  to  maintain  peace  between 
ourselves  and  employers;  adjusting  all  differences,  as  far  as 
possible,  by  arbitration  and  conciliation,  that  strikes  may  be- 
come unnecessary. 

THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  MINE  WORK- 
ERS OF  AMERICA. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  composed  of  N.  T.  A.  135,  K.  of  L., 
and  the  National  Progressive  Union. 

Section  2.  The  objects  of  this  Union  are  to  unite  mine 
employes  and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  con- 
ciliation, arbitration  or  strikes. 

Section  3.  This  Union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its 
affiliated  bodies,  which  shall  be  governed  in  all  trade  matters 
by  this  constitution. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Officers  and  Their  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  Union  shall  be,  one  Presi- 
dent or  Master  Workman,  one  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Fore- 
man, one  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  an  Executive  Board  of 
seven  members,  two  of  whom  shall  be  the  President  and 
Secretary-Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  at  each  annual  con- 
vention. 

Section  2.  The  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  pre- 
side at  all  general  conventions  of  the  union ; he  shall  sign  all 
official  documents,  when  satisfied  of  their  correctness;  he 
shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  Executive  Board,  fill  by  appoint- 


20 


United  Mine  Wokkers  of  America 


ment,  all  vacancies  occurring  in  the  National  offices,  and  in  a 
like  manner  he  is  empowered  to  suspend  or  remove  any  Na- 
tional officers  for  insubordination  or  just  and  sufficient  cause; 
he  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  Executive  Board,  appoint 
from  time  to  time  such  organizers  and  workers  as  may  be  re- 
quired ; he  shall  devote  his  time  and  attention  to  the  interests 
of  the  Union,  and  exercise  general  supervision  of  its  workings, 
either  in  the  field  or  in  the  National  office,  as  his  judgment 
dictates  or  the  exigencies  of  the  case  require. 

Section  3.  The  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman,  shall 
act  as  general  organizer  and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the 
President  or  Master  Workman,  and  shall  succeed  that  officer 
in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office. 

Section  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of 
and  preserve  all  books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  national 
office;  shall  record  proceedings  of  all  conventions  and  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Executive  Board  and  shall  keep  copies  of 
important  letters  sent  out  by  him ; he  shall  receive  and  receipt 
for  all  moneys,  pay  all  current  expenses ; he  shall  prepare  and 
submit  to  the  locals  a quarterly  report  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be 
assigned  him ; he  shall  give  a bond  of  $5,000  for  the  safe  keep- 
ing of  all  moneys  entrusted  to  him,  but  he  shall  not  have  more 
than  $2,500  subject  to  his  order  at  any  one  time.  All  other 
funds  must  be  deposited  by  him,  subject  to  the  order  of  the 
executive  board. 

Section  5.  The  Executive  Board  shall  constitute  the  Na- 
tional Board  of  Arbitration  and  Conciliation ; shall  execute  the 
orders  of  national  conventions,  and  between  conventions  shall 
have  full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  union.  The 
board  shall  be  convened  by  the  President  or  Master  Workman 
or  by  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  at  the  request  of  three  mem- 
bers of  said  board. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  union  shall  be  derived  from 
local  unions  and  local  assemblies,  which  shall  pay  direct  to  the 
national  secretary -treasurer  10  cents  per  month  per  member ; 
fractional  members  shall  pay  in  proportion,  not  less  than  5 
cents  of  which  shall  be  used  for  organizing  purposes. 

Section  2.  The  national  convention  shall  be  held  annually 
on  the  second  Tuesday  in  April,  at  such  place  as  may  be  de- 
termined upon  by  the  preceding  convention.  Special  conven- 
tions shall  be  called  by  the  president  or  Master  Workman, 
when  so  instructed  by  the  executive  board  or  at  the  request 
of  five  district  unions  or  divisions. 

Section  3.  Representatives  to  the  national  convention 
from  affiliated  districts,  divisions  or  locals  shall  have  one  vote 


Joint  Preamble  and  Constitution 


21 


for  100  members  or  less,  and  an  additional  vote  for  each  100 
members  or  majority  fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative 
shall  have  more  than  five  votes,  and  no  person  shall  be  eligible 
as  representative  who  is  not,  or  has  not  been,  a practical 
miner. 

Section  4.  No  local  assembly  or  local  union  shall  be  en- 
titled to  representation  in  the  national  convention,  who  have 
not  in  every  particular  complied  with  the  constitution  of  the 
districts  in  which  said  labor  assembly  or  labor  union  may  be 
located. 

Section  5.  Elections  of  delegates  to  the  national  conven- 
tion shall  take  place  not  later  than  ten  days  previous  to  the 
national  convention,  and  the  report  of  said  election  shall  be  in 
the  hands  of  the  national  secretary  not  later  than  five  days 
previous  to  convention. 

Section  6.  The  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  ap- 
point a committee  of  three,  who  shall  meet  in  the  national 
office  two  days  previous  to  the  assembling  of  the  convention, 
shall  examine  all  credentials  and  audit  all  accounts  of  the  sec- 
retary-treasurer, and  report  the  result  to  convention. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Strikes. 

Section  1.  When  trouble  of  a local  character  arises  be- 
tween members  of  any  local  assembly  or  local  union  and  their 
employers,  the  officers  of  said  locals  shall  endeavor  to  effect 
an  amicable  adjustment,  and  failing  in  this  they  shall  imme- 
diately notify  the  officers  of  the  district  to  which  the  affected 
locals  are  attached,  and  said  district  officers  shall  immediately 
investigate  the  cause  of  complaint,  and,  failing  to  effect  a 
peaceful  settlement  upon  a basis  that  would  be  equitable  and 
just  to  aggrieved  members,  finding  that  a strike  would  best 
subserve  the  interests  of  the  locality  affected,  they  may  order 
the  inauguration  of  a strike,  but  no  local  strike  shall  be  legal- 
ized or  supported  by  a district  unless  its  inauguration  was  ap- 
proved of  by  the  officers  of  the  district,  or  by  the  National 
Executive  Board  upon  an  appeal  taken  by  the  aggrieved  mem- 
bers from  the  decision  of  the  district  officers ; any  local  union 
or  local  assembly  striking  in  violation  of  the  above  provisions 
shall  not  be  sustained  or  recognized  by  national  office  or 
officers. 

Section  2.  Before  final  action  is  taken  by  any  district 
upon  questions  that  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  interests  of 
the  mine  workers  of  another  district,  or  that  requires  a strike 
to  determine,  the  president  or  Master  Workman  and  the  sec- 
retary of  the  aggrieved  district  shall  jointly  prepare,  sign  and 
forward,  to  the  national  president  or  Master  Workman,  a writ- 


22 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ten  statement  setting  forth  the  grievance  complained  of,  the 
action  contemplated  by  the  district,  together  with  the  reasons 
therefor,  and  the  national  president  or  Master  Workman  shall, 
within  five  days  after  the  receipt  of  such  statement,  either  ap- 
prove or  disapprove  of  the  action  contemplated  by  the  ag- 
grieved district,  and  such  approval  or  disapproval,  together 
with  reasons  therefor,  shall  be  made  in  writing  and  a copy  for- 
warded to  the  secretary  of  the  complaining  district.  Should 
the  action  contemplated  by  the  aggrieved  district  receive  the 
approval  of  the  national  president  or  Master  Workman  the 
district  shall  be  free  to  act,  but  should  the  national  president 
or  Master  Workman  disapprove  of  the  action  contemplated  the 
district  may  appeal  to  the  national  executive  board  which  shall 
be  convened  to  consider  such  appeal  within  five  days  after  its 
receipt  by  the  national  secretary;  until  the  national  president 
or  Master  Workman  has  approved,  or  the  national  executive 
board  has  sustained  an  appeal,  no  district  shall  be  free  to  enter 
upon  a strike  unless  it  shall  have  been  ordered  by  a national 
convention. 

ARTICLE  V. 

Qualificattons  and  Salarij  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  A member  in  good  standing  in  either  branch 
of  the  organization  shall  be  eligible  to  hold  office  in  the  na- 
tional union ; provided,  he  has  been  a member  of  an  affiliated 
district  or  division  for  six  months  prior  to  his  election  and  be- 
comes a member  of  both  branches  before  qualifying  for  the 
office  to  which  he  has  been  elected. 

Section  2.  President,  $1,500;  Vice-President,  $1,000;  sec- 
retary-treasurer, $1,000 ; salary  of  executive  board,  $3  per  day 
and  expenses,  when  employed  by  the  president  to  work  in  the 
interest  of  the  United  Mine  Workers. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

Miscellaneous. 

Section  1.  The  nominations  for  national  officials  shall  be 
forwarded  to  the  national  secretary  at  least  one  month  before 
the  national  annual  convention  and  the  secretary  shall  send  a 
list  of  said  nominations  to  each  local  assembly  and  local  union 
at  least  two  weeks  before  said  convention,  and  delegates  shall 
come  to  the  convention  instructed  to  vote  for  candidates  for 
the  respective  positions,  which  vote  shall  be  recorded  and  be- 
come a part  of  the  convention’s  proceedings. 

Section  2.  No  person  a member  of  the  organization,  who 
holds  a financial  or  clearance  card,  showing  him  to  be  a finan- 
cial member  (and  in  good  standing),  shall  be  debarred  or 
hindered  from  obtaining  employment  on  account  of  race,  creed 
or  nationality. 


Constitution  N.  T.  A.  135,  K.  of  L. 


23 


Section  3.  Any  local  assembly  or  local  union,  who  shall 
wilfully  violate  the  above  shall,  if  proven  guilty,  for  the  first 
offense  be  suspended  from  all  rights  and  privileges  for  three 
months ; and  for  the  second  offense,  suspended  for  six  months, 
or  as  long  as  it  is  deemed  best  by  the  national  executive  board. 

CONSTITUTION  N.  T.  A.  135,  K.  OF  L. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  1.  This  body  shall  be  known  as  National  Trades 
Assembly  No.  135,  and  shall  work  under  a charter  granted  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor. 

Section  2.  In  all  things  it  shall  conform  to  the  laws  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  affiliated  with  and  become  a part  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Section  2.  It  shall  in  all  trade  matters  be  governed  by  the 
laws  adopted  by  the  United  Mine  Workers. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Section  1.  This  assembly  shall  meet  annually  and  a call 
for  a convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  shall 
be  considered  as  a call  for  a meeting  of  National  Trades  As- 
sembly 135. 

Section  2.  All  delegates  elected  to  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America  from  local  assemblies  attached  to  Na- 
tional Trades  Assembly  135  shall  become  delegates  to  National 
Trades  Assembly  135  by  virtue  of  said  election,  but  in  all  cases 
the  National  Trades  Assembly  shall  have  full  jurisdiction  upon 
the  eligibility  of  such  delegates. 

Section  3.  Delegates  to  the  general  assembly  shall  be 
elected  at  the  regular  annual  session  in  conformity  with  the 
constitution  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Section  4.  All  officers  elected  by  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  shall  become  the  officers  of  the  National  Trades 
Assembly  135  by  virtue  of  such  election;  provided  they  are 
members  of  the  order. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Section  1.  All  taxes  and  assessments  levied  by  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America  shall  be  binding  upon  the  locals  and 
members  of  National  Trades  Assembly  135. 

NOMINATIONS  FOR  OFFICE. 

For  Master  Workman  or  President:  John  B.  Rae,  Robert 
Watchorn,  John  McBride,  David  Ross  and  Thomas  W.  Davis. 


FIRST  NATIONAL  EXECUTIVE  BOARD,  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA,  1890. 

Top  How,  loft  to  rlKlit — It.  P.  Wnrroii,  .lohn  Kano,  Wm.  W.  ( WoMi. 

I'.ottom  !{f)W,  loft  to  - Uolx  rt  WotclHn  n,  S<‘oi  t tai  y ; .John  M.  Kn*  , I’n'sitlopt ; !’ntri«‘k  M<-Bry(io. 


First  National  Executive  Board 


25 


All  except  Rae  respectfully  declined,  and  John  B,  Rae  was 
elected  by  acclamation. 

For  Worthy  Foreman  or  Vice-President:  A large  number 
of  names  were  presented,  but  all  withdrew  except  Peter  Wise 
of  Pennsylvania,  a member  of  135  Knights  of  Labor,  P.  H. 
Penna  and  W.  H.  Turner.  Wise  received  53  votes.  P.  H. 
Penna,  Indiana,  a member  of  the  National  Progressive  Union, 
22  votes,  and  W.  H.  Turner  of  Ohio,  also  a member  of  the  Na- 
tional Progressive  Union,  received  103  votes,  and  was  de- 
clared elected. 

For  Secretary-Treasurer:  Patrick  McBryde,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, a member  of  the  National  Progressive  Union  received 
77  votes.  Robert  Watchorn,  of  Pennsylvania,  a member  of  135 
Knights  of  Labor,  received  103  votes.  Watchorn  was  declared 
elected  and  the  vote  made  unanimous. 

National  Executive  Board  Members:  Patrick  McBryde, 
Pennsylvania;  Wm.  Scaife,  Illinois;  R.  F.  Warren,  Ohio;  John 
Kane,  Indiana;  W.  C.  Webb,  Kentucky.  John  H.  Kennedy,  of 
Indiana,  was  nominated  for  auditor  and  elected. 

Provisions  were  made  for  the  retention  of  membership  in 
the  two  organizations  known  as  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor  and  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  by 
the  members  of  the  open  branches  paying  tax  to  the  American 
Federation  of  Labor  and  the  members  of  the  secret  branches 
paying  tax  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor. 

Districts  of  the  amalgamated  body  were  outlined  as 
follows : 

One,  anthracite  region,  Pennsylvania;  2,  central  Pennsyl- 
vania ; 3,  low  grade  region,  Pennsylvania ; 4,  coke  region,  Penn- 
sylvania; 5,  Pittsburg  district;  6 to  10,  Ohio;  11,  Indiana;  12, 
Illinois;  13,  Iowa;  14,  Missouri  and  Kansas;  15,  Colorado, 
Washington  and  the  Territories;  16,  Maryland;  17,  West 
Virginia;  18,  Virginia;  19,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky ; 20,  Ala- 
bama and  Georgia ; 21,  Texas,  Arkansas  and  Indian  Territory. 

The  following  officers  were  elected : President  or  Master 
Workman,  John  B.  Rae  of  Pennsylvania;  Vice-President  or 
Worthy  Foreman,  W.  H.  Turner  of  Ohio;  Secretary-Treasurer, 
Robert  Watchorn  of  Pennsylvania;  executive  board,  Patrick 
McBryde  of  Pennsylvania,  William  Scaife  of  Illinois,  R.  F. 


■26 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Warren  of  Ohio,  John  Kane,  Indiana;  W.  C.  Webb,  Kentucky. 
J.  H.  Kennedy  of  Indiana  was  elected  Auditor. 

The  convention  decided  to  hold  a Sunday  session  in  order 
to  permit  delegates  to  return  home  and  thus  save  expenses 
which  they  could  not  well  alTord. 

The  convention  assembled  at  the  City  Hall  at  10  a.  m.  and 
received  the  report  of  the  scale  committee  fixing  prices  of  min- 
ing which,  as  adopted,  is  as  follows : 


Hocking  Valley 

Western  Pennsylvania 

Indiana  block  coal 

Indiana  bituminous 

Wilmington  coal  Held 

Streator,  Illinois  

La  Salle,  Illinois 

Spring  Valley,  Illinois 

Springfield,  Illinois 

Staunton  and  Mt.  Olive,  Illinois 

Peoria  district 

Moundsville,  West  Virginia 

Flat  Top,  West  Virginia  (run  of  mine) i 

Monongahela  river 

Kanawha  river 

Pomeroy,  22nd  division 

Reynokisville  (low  grade)  region  (run  of  mine) 


.SO 

.90 

.95 

.So 

.90 

.90 

1.00 

1.00 

.721/, 

.061/, 

.S5 

.SO 

.50- 

.90 

.90 

.57 

..50- 


Price  for  work  in  veins  under  41/2  feet  at  same  proportion 
as  present  prices. 

There  was  considerable  discussion  on  the  scale  of  prices 
that  should  be  paid  in  the  Hocking  Valley  as  well  as  in  the  Wil- 
mington coal  field  of  Illinois,  after  which  the  convention  ad- 
journed until  2 o’clock  p.  m. 

On  re-assembling,  discussion  on  the  scale  of  prices  sub- 
mitted by  the  committee  was  resumed.  Explanatory  speeches 
were  made  by  William  Scaife,  David  Ross  and  John  McBride, 
when  after  further  consideration,  the  scale  of  prices,  here 
represented,  was  finally  adopted. 

The  committee  on  defense  fund  reported  their  inability  to 
agree  and  suggested  that  the  national  executive  board  refer 
the  matter  for  the  action  of  the  local  unions  to  be  voted  on  and 
decided  by  them.  In  lengthy  arguments  on  the  question,  the 
convention  opposed  the  report  and  several  amendments  were 
made  ending  with  the  appointment  of  P.  H.  Penna  and  W.  B. 
Wilson  to  act  as  a committee  with  instructions  to  report. 


Closing  Hours  of  Joint  Convention 


27 


John  McBride  introduced  the  following  resolution  which 
was  unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  coal  interest  of  the  Monongahela  river  in 
Pennsylvania  is  now  being  discriminated  against,  and  fast 
being  undermined,  by  the  lockage  and  tollage  system  permitted 
by  government  lease; 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  convention,  the  gov- 
ernment should  assume  control  of  the  river  and  make  naviga- 
tion free. 

Delegate  Monohan  of  Illinois  introduced  what  was  termed 
“the  cornhusker  resolution,”  which  was  adopted  as  follows: 

“That  men  who  only  work  part  of  the  year  in  the  mines 
must  pay  all  dues  and  abide  by  all  conditions  of  our  organiza- 
tion, and  should  they  fall  in  arrears  during  the  time  they  are 
out  of  the  mines,  they  must  pay  all  arrears  before  they  can  be 
allowed  to  work.” 

The  executive  board  was  instructed  to  map  out  con\petitive 
districts,  as  soon  as  possible,  and  when  necessary,  call  conven- 
tions of  each  district  in  the  territory  agreed  upon. 

Convention  adjourned  until  9 a.  m. 

CLOSING  SESSION — JANUARY  27,  1890. 

After  the  joint  convention  had  been  called  to  order,  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  defense  fund  was  submitted  and 
adopted.  The  defense  fund  provides  that  each  member  of  the 
new  organization  shall  pay  into  the  general  treasury,  twenty- 
five  cents  per  month,  until  May  1,  and  fifteen  cents  per  month 
thereafter,  the  fund,  thus  collected,  to  be  used  for  no  other 
purpose  than  the  support  of  miners  who  are  locked  out  or  on 
a strike,  each  member  to  receive  $3.50  per  week,  while  out  of 
employment  under  such  conditions.  Local  and  district  organi- 
zations have  the  power  to  create  district  funds. 

The  following  scale  of  prices  for  machine  mining,  entiy 
price  per  yard,  and  day  labor  were  adopted : 


Hocking  Valley $ .70 

Indiana  block .85 

Indiana  bituminous .75 

Western  Pennsylvania .80 

Braidwood,  Illinois .95 

Streator,  Illinois .80 

La  Salle,  Illinois .90 

Spring  Valley,  Illinois .90 


CUinMiA.C^^  - 

r*i  <,/■'  TSAOES  LAEOr  Um.OAS. 
■■Aff -I  ■•  ; 


f//  * i/niuiifh  nf-i 


FBO£fiAT/OM  OF  LABOn.  W A}ffo(ilt  / 
tU  hp  AtDtPATlOfI 


Aff.zai^AH 


FiC£»*T/ON 


AMERICAN  FEDERATION  OF  LABOR 

■w.-.  -/  /<  >r,r  #C4  FI  f t^-’ry.4/iAC  S f 


CHARTER  GRANTED  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA 


Closing  Hours  of  Joint  Convention 


29 


Springfield,  Illinois -621/2 

Peoria,  Illinois .75 

Staunton  and  Mt.  Olive,  Illinois .56% 

Moundsville,  West  Virginia .40 

Monongahela  River,  Pennsylvania .80 

Pomeroy,  Ohio -421/2 

Eeynoldsville  .40 

Entry  price  per  yard  and  day  wages : 

Entry  price  per  yard $2.00 

Drivers  per  day  at  80  cents  per  ton 2.25 

Trackmen 2.50 

Trappers  ^ 1.00 

Trimmers 2.10 

Dumpers  2.10 


The  national  executive  board  held  a meeting  and  decided 
to  issue  an  address  to  the  mine  workers  of  the  United  States, 
explaining  the  action  taken  by  the  joint  convention,  and  its 
future  policy. 

A local  union  of  both  branches  was  organized  by  the  officers 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  in  order  that  they  might  qualify 
for  the  respective  offices  to  which  they  had  been  elected. 

The  Columbus  Ohio  Evening  Dispatch  of  January  27,  1890, 
is  responsible  for  the  following  episode : 

Just  before  adjournment  an  affecting  scene  took  place. 

John  Nugent  and  Alexander  Johnson,  who  led  the  rival  or- 
ganizations in  the  Hocking  Valley,  shook  hands  and  swore 
allegiance  to  the  miners’  union,  and  to  show  his  sincerity,  Mr. 
Johnson  kissed  Mr.  Nugent  in  the  mouth. 

Later,  Mr.  Johnson  indorsed  the  above  statement. 

A song  was  sung  by  Mr.  John  H.  Taylor  that  enraptured 
the  delegates,  after  which  the  convention  adjourned  to  meet  in 
Columbus,  Ohio,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  February,  1891. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  remarkable  events  in  trade 
unionism. 

On  January  25,  1890,  a certificate  of  affiliation  was  granted 
to  John  B.  Rae,  John  McBride,  Patrick  McBryde,  David  Ross, 
P.  H.  Penna,  W.  C.  Webb,  Robert  Watchorn,  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  their  successors  in  office,  by  the 
American  Federation  of  Labor,  signed  Samuel  Gompers,  Presi- 
dent; William  Martin,  1st  Vice-President  P.  J.  McGuire,  2nd 
Vice-President;  Henry  Emerich,  Treasurer;  Chris  Evans,  Sec- 
retary. 


JOHN  B.  RAE,  NATIONAL  PRESIDENT,  1890-1891. 


WM.  H.  TURNER,  NATIONAL  VICE-PRESIDENT,  1890. 


32 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


A FACSIMILE  OF  CHARTER  CONDITIONS 

American  Federation  of  Labor 

doth  grant  this 


Certificate  of  Affiliation 


To  John  B.  Rae,  John,  McBride.  Patrick  McBryde,  David  Ross,  P.  H.  Penna. 
W.  C.  Webb,  Robert  Watchorn  and  to  their  successors  legally  qualified,  to  constitute 
the  Union  herein  named  and  known  under  the  title  of  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  of 
AMERICA  for  the  purpose  of  a thorough  organization  of  the  trade,  and  a more 
perfect  federation  of  all  Trades  and  Labor  Unions.  And  the  Union  being  duly 
formed,  is  empowered  and  authorized  to  initiate  into  its  membership  any  person  or 
persons  in  accordance  with  its  own  laws.  And  to  conduct  the  business  affairs  of 
said  Union  in  compliance  with  the  best  interests  of  the  trade  and  labor  in  general. 
The  autonomy  of  the  Union  is  hereby  ordained  and  secured. 

PROVIDED,  That  the  said  Union  do  conform  to  the  Constitution.  Laws.  Rules 
and  Regulations  of  the  AMERICAN  FEDERATION  OF  LABOR,  and  in  default 
thereof,  or  any  part,  this  Certificate  of  Affiliation  may  be  suspended  or  revoked  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  of  this  FEDERATION.  And  should  the  said  UNITED  MINE 
WORKERS  OF  AMERICA  be  dissolved,  suspended  or  forfeit  this  Certificate  of  Affili- 
ation, then  the  persons  to  whom  this  Certificate  of  Affiliation  is  granted,  or  their 
successors,  hind  themselves  to  surrender  the  same  with  such  other  property  as  shall 
properly  belong  to  this  Federation.  And  further,  in  consideration  of  the  due  per- 
formance of  the  above,  the  AMERICAN  FEDERATION  OF  LABOR  does  hereby 
bind  itself  to  support  the  said  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA  in  the 
exercise  of  all  its  rights,  privileges  and  autonomy  as  an  affiliated  Union. 

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  We  have  subscribed  our  Names  and  affixed  the  Seal 
of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  this  twenty-fifth  day  of  January,  A.  D. 
One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Ninety. 

EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL 

SAML.  GOMPERS.  President 
WILLIAM  MARTIN,  1st  Vice  President 

(SEAL)  P.  J.  McGUIRE,  2nd  Vice  President 

HENRY  EMRICH.  Treasurer 
CHRIS  EVANS,  SecretaiT 


INDIANA  MINERS’  CONVENTION. 

A convention  was  held  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  February 
25,  1890. 

John  Kane  called  the  meeting  to  order  and  a good  repre- 
sentation of  delegates  were  present.  The  action  of  the  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  joint  convention  held  in  January  was  indorsed,  and 
the  appointment  of  P.  H.  Penna  as  organizer  for  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America  by  the  national  officers  was  highly 
commended. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  amending  the  constitution  so 
that  it  would  conform  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  kline 
Workers  of  America;  abolishing  sub-districts  and  the  pay- 


Indiana  and  Illinois  Conventions 


33 


ment  of  a state  per  capita  tax  of  ten  cents  per  member  per 
month. 

Patrick  McBryde  addressed  the  convention  on  the  subject 
of  having  the  Indiana  operators  meet  with  the  miners  jointly 
to  agree  on  a scale  of  prices  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected : 

President  or  Master  Workman,  John  Kane;  Vice-President 
or  Worthy  Foreman,  Joshua  Horsefield;  Secretary-Treasurer, 
John  H.  Kennedy. 

Executive  Board  Members:  Frank  Lockhart,  William  Win- 
terbottom,  Henry  Thomas,  David  Murphy  and  Joseph  Harris. 

On  the  adjournment  of  the  convention  it  was  decided  to 
meet  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in 
January,  1891. 

ILLINOIS  MINERS’  STATE  CONVENTION. 

A convention  of  the  Illinois  miners  was  held  at  the  state 
house,  Springfield,  Illinois,  March  4,  1890.  The  convention 
was  in  session  several  days,  with  a fair  representation  of  dele- 
gates present. 

After  the  regular  routine  of  business  had  been  disposed  of, 
resolutions  were  adopted  as  follows : 

Appealing  to  operators  to  adjust  their  own  differences,  so 
as  to  conform  to  the  Columbus  scale;  the  appointment  of  a 
joint  arbitration  board  to  adjust  grievances;  the  establish- 
ment of  a relief  fund  for  the  widows  and  orphans  of  miners ; 
the  re-organization  of  the  inter-state  plan  of  adjusting  mining 
rates ; to  restrict  the  working  hours  to  eight  per  day ; against 
contracts  for  mining  or  hauling  coal;  to  secure  the  weighing 
of  coal  before  screening;  complimenting  the  Illinois  State 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  and  elected  officers  as  follows : 

President  or  Master  Workman,  William  Scaife. 

Secretary-Treasurer,  Ebenezer  Howells. 

Executive  Board  Members:  George  Bainbridge,  J.  C.  Tib- 
bets,  George  Rubis,  James  R.  Edwards  and  M.  J.  Goings. 

After  instructing  the  executive  board  to  call  a meeting  in 
the  southern  field  for  the  purpose  of  enforcing  the  scale  of 
prices  on  May  1,  in  the  district,  the  convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  II. 


PENNSYLVANIA  MINERS’  PITTSBURG  DISTRICT 
CONVENTION. 

A miners’  convention  of  the  Pittsburg  District  of  Pennsyl- 
vania was  held  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  March  11-12,  1890. 
Permanent  officers  were  elected  as  follows : 

Hugh  McLaughlin,  chairman,  and  John  Craig,  secretary. 
The  committee  appointed  on  resolutions  made  the  following 
report : 

Resolved,  That  we  enter  into  an  affiliation  with  the  river 
miners  and  form  District  No.  5,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America ; that  we  form  a check-weighman  fund  in  divisions, 
all  money  collected  in  the  pay-office  wherever  practical. 

The  constitution  adopted  provided  for  the  election  of  offi- 
cers in  conformity  with  those  elected  by  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  January.  Section 
3 of  Article  1 follows ; 

This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  locals  of  the 
National  Progressive  Union,  and  Local  Assemblies  of  N.  T.  A. 
135,  Knights  of  Labor,  in  this  district. 

About  thirty-five  delegates  attended,  including  six  from 
the  river  mines. 

Another  Pittsburg  District  convention  was  held  at  Pitts- 
burg, March  25,  and  the  credential  committee  reported  thirty- 
five  delegates  entitled  to  seats,  representing  about  sixty  mines. 

National  Secretary  Watchorn  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  addressed  the  convention  and  was  received  with 
much  enthusiasm  for  the  valuable  advice  given.  In  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  for  the  district,  Hugh  McLaughlin  was  again 
chosen  president. 

OHIO  MINERS’  JOINT  CONVENTION. 

On  Monday  morning,  April  14,  1890,  a joint  convention  was 
held  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  between  the  miners  of  National 
Trades  Assembly  No.  135,  Knights  of  Labor,  and  the  National 

(34) 


Ohio  Joint  Convention,  April,  1890. 


35 


Progressive  Union.  The  Ohio  convention  was  called  to  order 
by  John  P.  Jones,  of  North  ^Lawrence. 

On  motion,  the  following  were  elected  as  temporary 
officers:  President,  John  P.  Jones,  North  Lawrence;  vice- 

president,  Jonathan  Longbottom,  Washingtonville;  and  secre- 
tary, Ebenezer  Lewis  of  Krumroy. 

The  following  committee  were  appointed  on  credentials: 
John  Peddicord,  Bellaire;  John  Campbell,  Sherrodsville ; 
George  Haskins,  Washingtonville;  John  Huddy,  Buchtel; 
John  Tyrell,  Krumroy. 

A recess  was  taken  until  1 p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session — The  committee  on  credentials  reported 
the  following  entitled  to  seats : W.  C.  Pearce,  Corning;  D.  Bar- 
clay, Jacksonville;  J.  Thomas,  Coalton;  E.  Bratton,  J.  Hood, 
Dillon;  J.  Weldy,  Wadsworth;  J.  T.  Dugan,  W.  Applegarth, 
Maynard;  J.  Richards,  M.  Collins,  Derthick;  T.  W.  Thomas, 
Palmyra;  0.  Murray,  R.  L.  Davis,  Rendville;  Ebenezer 
Lewis,  J.  Tyrell,  Krumroy ; M.  Gulliver,  C.  L.  Kimes,  Glenroy ; 
L.  Scott,  Delroy;  A.  Wallbaum,  Salineville;  E.  J.  Lawrence, 
Oakdale ; J.  Horn,  Shawnee ; H.  W.  Dozier,  Redfield ; J. 
Thomas,  Navarre;  C.  Miller,  E.  Griffiths,  E.  George,  Massil- 
lon; H.  Harris,  Steele;  Pat.  Hoban,  Hollister;  W.  Nixon, 
Shields;  A.  Lux,  Millport;  L.  Hamer,  R.  J.  Maloney,  Wells- 
ton;  L.  M.  Beatty,  Pike  Run;  S.  L.  Lowden,  Beidler;  John  P. 
Jones,  T.  Ratchford,  North  Lawrence;  W.  H.  Watkins,  Car- 
bondale;  A.  J.  Bennett,  Kittanning ; P.  Keys,  Vinton  Station ; 
W.  McCloud,  Clinton ; W.  H.  Llewellyn,  E.  Riley,  Henry  Pugh, 
Nelsonville;  E.  Thomas,  Carbon  Hill;  W.  Webber,  Murray 
City;  L.  D.  Shields,  A.  D.  Wright,  Brashears;  R.  J.  Jones, 
Orbiston;  R.  R.  Jones,  J.  Campbell,  Sherrodsville;  0.  L.  D. 
Wilson,  J.  Sparnon,  Monday;  W.  J.  Ryan,  Sand  Run;  D.  Gil- 
lon,  J.  N.  Nye,  Glen  Ebon;  T.  Davis,  Osnaburg;  J.  Huddy, 
Buchtel ; A.  Gordon,  Dennison ; J.  S.  Hadley,  P.  O’Malley,  W. 
Anderson,  L.  D.  Devore,  J.  A.  Peddicord,  M.  Tormy,  S.  Glas- 
gow, Bellaire;  F.  McDonnough,  Steubenville;  G.  Haskins,  J. 
Longbottom,  Washingtonville;  M.  Joyce,  Buckingham;  I.  J. 
Ault,  Stewartsville ; J.  O’Donnell,  Manchester;  C.  C.  Cheney, 
Franklin  Station;  L.  V.  Deloche,  Bridgeport;  J.  Franklin, 
East  Palestine;  T.  H.  Kennedy,  Newman;  J.  Ronan,  Canal 


36 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Fulton;  S.  T.  Croyle,  Byesville;  L.  C.  Prindle,  Coshocton; 
E.  Dawson,  Conesville;  W.  Fitzgerald,  Emerson;  P.  McDon- 
ough, Cambridge;  J.  Dobbins,  Jackson;  C.  D.  Armstrong, 
Philo  M.  Gallagher,  Happy  Hollow;  J.  Clemants,  Sommers- 
dale;  C.  Call,  John  Nugent,  James  Coughtrie,  New  Straits- 
ville. 

On  motion,  the  report  was  received  and  the  committee  con- 
tinued. 

The  Chair  appointed  the  following  committee  on  order  of 
business:  Charles  Call,  Richard  R.  Jones,  William  Nixon, 

Thomas  Ratchford  and  Henry  Pugh,  who  on  making  their 
report  recommended  the  following: 

1.  Provide  for  consolidation  of  the  two  forces. 

2.  Five  divisions  or  one  district. 

3.  Election  of  permanent  officers. 

4.  Accept  report  of  credential  committee. 

5.  That  no  delegate  speak  more  than  once  on  the  same 
question,  and  that  each  be  limited  to  three  minutes. 

The  report  was  adopted. 

Some  lengthy  discussions  ensued  regarding  voting,  when 
the  following  committee  was  appointed:  John  Thomas,  John 
Nugent,  S.  T.  Croyle. 

After  consulting  over  the  question,  the  committee  reported 
that  on  the  question  of  districts  the  secretary  shall  call  the  roll 
and  that  each  delegate,  as  his  name  is  called,  announce  the 
vote  of  his  constituents  for  or  against  one  district  or  five,  and 
that  any  question  as  to  the  number  of  votes  a delegate  is  enti- 
tled to  who  did  not  comply  with  the  circular,  to  be  decided  by 
the  convention  without  debate,  after  two  delegates  speak  on 
the  question.  As  a result  of  the  call,  the  vote  stood : For  one 
organization,  6,881  votes ; for  five  districts,  1,284  votes ; total, 
8,165.  The  vote  was  made  unanimous  for  one  state  organi- 
zation. 

The  following  committee  on  constitution  was  appointed : 
Cameron  Miller,  Massillon;  John  Nugent,  New  Straitsville ; 
Thomas  Thomas,  Palmyra;  Michael  Collins,  Glouster;  John 
Campbell,  Sherrodsville ; T.  Seward  Davis,  Osnaburg;  John 
Horn,  Shawnee. 

Convention  adjourned  until  8 a.  m. 


Ohio  Convention  Continued 


37 


Tuesday  morning  session,  April  15,  1890.  The  convention 
was  called  to  order  and  the  following  committees  appointed: 

Resolutions — W.  H.  Dozier,  P.  McDonough,  C.  D.  Arm- 
strong, Joshua  Thomas,  James  Coughtrie. 

Grievances — P.  O’Malley,  S.  T.  Croyle,  John  Tyrell,  R.  J. 
Jones,  L.  M.  Beatty. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  constitution  was  called  for 
and  adopted  by  sections,  a portion  of  which  follows : 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  District 
6 of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Section  2.  The  objects  of  this  union  are  to  unite  the  mine 
employes  of  Ohio  and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods 
of  conciliation,  arbitration  or  strikes. 

Section  3.  This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all 
locals  of  the  National  Progressive  Union  and  local  assemblies 
of  National  District  Assembly  No.  135,  Knights  of  Labor,  in 
this  district. 

The  convention  adjourned,  to  meet  the  operators  in  joint 
convention. 

At  4:15  p.  m.  President  Jones  called  the  convention  to 
order  again,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  on  constitution 
was  resumed  and  adopted  as  a whole. 

Election  of  officers: 

The  candidates  were:  For  president,  John  P.  Jones,  John 
J.  Eddy  and  John  H.  Taylor.  John  P.  Jones  was  elected,  and 
the  convention  adjourned  until  8 a.  m. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING,  APRIL  16. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Jones,  and  the 
election  of  officers  was  resumed. 

Nominations  for  vice-president  and  votes  received  follow : 

John  Solan,  191  votes;  W.  Fitzgerald,  625;  Alexander 
Johnson,  593;  John  Peddicord,  1,203;  John  Nugent,  4,723. 
Nugent  having  received  a majority  of  all  votes  cast,  was  de- 
clared elected. 

Nominations  for  secretary-treasurer,  with  votes  cast: 
Ebenezer  Lewis,  5,603  votes;  L.  M.  Beatty,  1,555;  Dennis 
Moylan,  179;  James  O’Donnell,  472;  Charles  L.  Kimes,  414. 
The  names  of  W.  C.  Pearce  and  S.  T.  Croyle,  nominated,  were 


38 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


withdrawn  and  the  nomination  and  election  of  Ebenezer  Lewis 
was  made  unanimous.  Convention  adjourned,  to  meet  the 
operators. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Jones  at  1 p.  m. 
A short  session  was  held  and  the  following  adopted : That  each 
section  of  the  State  present  a candidate  for  member  of  the 
executive  board,  which  is  to  be  composed  of  five  members.  An 
adjournment  was  again  taken,  to  attend  the  joint  convention 
of  operators  and  miners. 

THURSDAY  AFTERNOON,  APRIL  17. 

Convention  called  to  order  and  the  nomination  and  elec- 
tion of  an  executive  board,  completed  the  list  of  officers  for 
District  No.  6 of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

President  or  Master  Workman,  John  P.  Jones,  North  Law- 
rence; Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman,  John  Nugent, 
New  Straitsville ; Ebenezer  Lewis,  secretary -treasurer,  Krum- 
roy. 

Executive  board  members:  Joshua  Thomas,  Coalton; 

Hugh  Lynch,  Washingtonville ; Peter  O’Malley,  Bellaire; 
Charles  Call,  New  Straitsville ; Richard  L.  Da^ds,  Rendville. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolution  was  adopted : 

“Whereas,  Any  operator  closing  down  one  or  more  of  his 
mines  and  transferring  the  work  or  contracts  to  be  filled  at 
his  other  mines,  thus  forcing  the  men  to  remain  idle  and  plac- 
ing them  upon  the  funds  of  the  organization ; therefore,  be  it 

“Resolved,  That  the  executive  board  investigate  the  cause 
of  such  action,  and  if  causes  are  unjustifiable,  that  the  board 
call  a suspension  of  the  mines  located  by  such  operators, 
whenever  operated  in  this  competitive  field,  until  the  mines 
that  are  already  closed  be  started  up.” 

A recess  was  taken  until  after  the  joint  convention  with 
operators. 

FRIDAY  MORNING,  APRIL  18,  1890. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m.  by  President  Jones. 
The  grievance  committee  read  a number  of  local  grievances, 
which  were  referred  to  the  district  executive  board : 


Ohio  Convention  Adjourns 


39 


Whereas,  There  are  several  operators  in  the  vicinity  of 
Bellaire,  Ohio,  that  require  the  miners  to  rent  houses  before 
giving  them  work ; and. 

Whereas,  We,  the  miners  of  Ohio,  think  this  an  injustice, 
and  should  be  abolished ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  all  honorable  means  be  taken  at  once  to 
abolish  this  evil  wherever  practiced. 

Whereas,  The  working  on  Sunday  has  caused  contention 
wherever  practiced ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  Where  miners  are  compelled  to  work  on  Sun- 
day, they  shall  receive  double  pay.  This  resolution  to  take 
effect  on  the  first  of  May. 

Whereas,  The  cost  of  powder  amounts  to  several  thousand 
dollars  to  the  miners  of  our  district ; and. 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  New  Straitsville,  in  buying  their 
powder  direct  from  the  Powder  Company’s  agent,  save  for  the 
miners  of  New  Straitsville  about  three  thousand  dollars  a 
year;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  most  heartily  endorse  the  plan  of  pur- 
chasing powder  direct  from  company,  and  most  earnestly  urge 
upon  all  locals  to  adopt  said  plan  wherever  practical;  and  be 
it  further 

Resolved,  That  all  miners  refuse  to  pay  a greater  price 
than  that  paid  by  the  miners  buying  direct  from  company 
agent. 

Whereas,  The  system  of  docking  in  our  district  is  causing 
considerable  trouble  to  the  miners  and  officers  of  our  district ; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  any  miner  sending  out  unmarketable  coal 
shall  be  notified  by  the  checkweighman,  and  if  said  miner  con- 
tinues to  send  out  dirty  coal,  his  case  shall  be  in  the  hands  of 
the  mine  committee  and  pit-boss,  who  will  investigate  and 
suspend  or  discharge.  That  no  miner  shall  be  discharged 
until  the  mine  endorse  the  action  of  the  committee. 

Speeches  were  called  for  and  made  by  President  Jones, 
Vice-President  Nugent,  Secretary-Treasurer  Lewis,  and  the 
following  members  of  the  district  executive  board:  Call, 
Davis,  O’Malley  and  Thomas.  A motion  was  adopted  to  give 
undivided  support  to  the  officers  of  the  district.  President 
Rae,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  Secretary- 
Treasurer  Watchorn,  Vice-President  Turner,  and  the  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Executive  Board,  Messrs.  Patrick  Mc- 
Bryde,  Kane,  Scaife,  Webb  and  Warren,  also  made  short 
speeches. 


40 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


A vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  to  the  speakers,  and  Dis- 
trict 6 adjourned  sine  die,  to  meet  in  Columbus,  the  Third 
Tuesday  in  January,  1891. 

John  P.  Jones, 

President. 
Ebenezer  Lewis, 

Secretary-Treasurer. 


CHAPTER  III. 

WEST  VIRGINIA  MINERS’  CONVENTION. 

A convention  was  held  at  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  April 
21,  1890. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  State  Organizer, 
M.  F.  Moran,  who  stated  that  the  object  in  calling  the  conven- 
tion was  to  organize  a State  Union  of  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America,  to  be  known  as  District  No.  17. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  dele- 
gates entitled  to  seats:  Vincent  Smith,  Horace  Smith,  J.  H. 
Coble,  C.  Marsh,  H.  A.  Foster,  William  A.  Jewell,  D.  W.  Cad- 
wallader,  P.  F.  McAuley,  Henry  Stephenson,  L.  J.  Hault,  F.  M. 
Prickett.  M.  F.  Moran  was  elected  president,  H.  M.  Smith, 
vice-president,  and  H.  A.  Foster,  secretary-treasurer.  Execu- 
tive board,  William  A.  Jewell,  F.  M.  Prickett,  P.  F.  McAuley. 

The  constitution  adopted  provided  for  the  necessaiy 
changes  required,  and  the  president’s  salary  was  fixed  at  forty 
dollars  per  month  and  necessary  expenses;  secretary,  fifteen 
dollars  per  month  and  office  expenses ; executive  board  mem- 
bers, two  dollars  per  day  and  expenses.  Patrick  IMcBryde 
addressed  the  convention  and  rendered  valuable  aid  in  the 
work  done.  An  effort  was  made  to  have  the  operators  and 
miners  of  the  Kanawha  Valley  meet  in  joint  conference  for 
the  purpose  of  agreeing  on  a price  for  mining.  The  conven- 
tion then  adjourned,  to  meet  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  West 
Virginia,  the  second  Tuesday  of  April,  1891. 

On  July  15,  1890,  the  Executive  Board  of  the  L^nited  Mine 
Workers  of  America  were  in  session  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 


Eight-Hour  Question  Considered 


41 


When  dealing  with  the  eight-hour  question,  they  were  quoted 
as  follows : 

The  question  of  the  eight-hour  system  was  considered,  and 
it  was  decided  that  on  the  first  of  May  next,  there  should  be 
a general  strike  of  the  miners  all  over  the  country,  unless  the 
eight-hour  system  is  granted.  A number  of  contracts  are  in 
force  which  makes  it  impossible  that  the  eight  hours  be 
adopted  before  the  date  named.  In  the  coke  regions  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  operators  have  already  reduced  to  nine  hours, 
and  pay  for  all  time  over  that.  The  carpenters  were  the  first 
to  adopt  the  eight-hour  system  under  the  American  Federa- 
tion of  Labor,  and  it  was  decided  that  the  miners  should  be 
the  next  in  line,  and  the  action  of  the  board  is  in  pursuance 
of  that  order. 

On  Thursday,  July  17,  1890,  the  National  Officers  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America  issued  a circular  informing 
its  members  that  the  demand  for  an  eight-hour  workday  would 
take  effect  May  1,  1891,  signed  by  John  B.  Rae,  Robert 
Watchorn,  Patrick  McBryde,  William  Scaife,  John  Kane,  W. 
C.  Webb  and  R.  F.  Warren. 

During  the  summer  of  1890,  W.  B.  Wilson,  then  of  Bloss- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  was  at  Lonaconing,  Maryland,  on  a mis- 
sion calculated  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  Maryland 
miners,  by  having  them  become  members  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America. 

One  beautiful  Sunday  afternoon,  in  a cool,  shady  spot 
selected,  he  held  a meeting  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and 
was  greeted  by  fourteen  people,  representing  the  various 
walks  of  life  in  this  noted  busy  mining  town.  This  lack  of 
numbers,  however,  did  not  mean  any  reflection  on  the  speaker, 
because  he  was  unknown  and  unheralded  at  the  time  of  his 
visit. 

In  addition  to  this,  eight  years  previous  the  miners  had 
suffered  a crushing  defeat  at  the  hands  of  the  coal  operators, 
when  members  of  the  Knights  of  Labor.  Later,  however,  the 
seed  scattered  among  the  small  crowd  of  interested  citizens 
proved  to  have  been  sown  on  good  ground. 

Secretary  Ebenezer  Lewis,  of  District  No.  6,  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  having  resigned,  C.  W.  Pearce 
was  appointed  secretary  by  President  J.  P.  Jones,  for 


42 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  ensuing  term.  The  auditing  committee,  Charles  Call  and 
Hugh  Lynch,  reported  having  found  the  secretary’s  books  in 
excellent  shape,  showing  a balance  of  $729.07  in  the  treasury, 
August  21,  1890. 

RESIGNATION  OP  SECRETARY  WATCHORN. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Dec.  15,  1890. 

To  John  B.  Rae,  president  of  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother ; It  is  with  peculiar  feelings  of  sad- 
ness that  I hereby  address  to  you  my  resignation  as  secretary- 
treasurer  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  also  as 
secretary  of  the  National  Executive  Board. 

Signed,  Robert  Watchorn. 

A long  letter  of  regrets,  through  illness,  he  said,  compelled 
him  to  sever  his  connection,  accompanied  the  resignation,  with 
a desire  that  his  resignation  be  accepted  not  later  than  Jan- 
uary 1,  1891. 

On  December  17,  1890,  a miners’  convention  was  held  at 
Altoona,  Pennsylvania,  by  delegates  from  District  No.  2,  com- 
prising Clearfield,  Center,  Jefferson,  Cambria,  Huntington, 
Bedford,  Somerset,  Blair  and  Indiana  counties.  They  met  for 
the  purpose  of  formulating  a demand  for  an  increase  in  wages, 
to  take  effect  January  1,  1891.  The  convention  was  in  session 
for  several  days. 


From  The  Wage-Earners’  Journal,  Philipsburg,  Pa. : 

It  is  currently  reported  here  that  Robert  Watchorn,  secre- 
tary-treasurer of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  has 
been  tendered  a responsible  state  office  by  Governor  Pattison. 
Mr.  Watchorn  was  the  first  among  prominent  miners,  several 
weeks  before  the  nomination,  to  declare  in  favor  of  Mr.  Patti- 
son, and  during  the  campaign  which  followed  did  much 
toward  electing  the  ex-Governor.  The  tender  of  office  is  no 
doubt  made  in  appreciation  of  the  gentleman’s  efforts  during 
the  campaign  and  in  recognition  of  the  liberal  support  of  the 
mining  class.  Mr.  Watchorn  is  accredited  with  possessing  the 
qualifications  necessary  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office. 

It  is  also  stated  that  Mr.  Watchorn’s  resignation  will  in  a 
few  days  be  in  the  hands  of  President  Rae. — Ohio  State  Jour- 
nal, Columbus,  Ohio,  December  23,  1890. 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


43 


CALL  FOR  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  THE  UNITED 
MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Jan.  5,  1891. 

To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 

America : 

In  accordance  with  the  last  convention,  our  annual  con- 
vention will  be  held  in  the  City  Hall,  Columbus,  Ohio,  com- 
mencing Tuesday,  February  10,  1891. 

Representatives,  for  districts,  divisions  or  isolated  locals, 
shall  have  one  vote  for  each  one  hundred  members  or  less,  and 
an  additional  vote  for  each  one  hundred  members  or  majority 
fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative  shall  have  more  than 
five  votes. 

The  leading  questions  to  come  before  the  convention  will 
be  scale  of  prices,  screens,  cash  payments  and  especially  the 
eight-hour  movement.  The  American  Federation  of  Labor,  at 
its  convention  in  Detroit,  decided,  in  accordance  with  the 
action  of  the  executive  board  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  that  the  miners  should  inaugurate  the  eight-hour 
day  on.  the  first  of  May,  1891.  It  is  important  that  delegates 
come  with  all  information  possible  on  that  question,  that  all 
needed  preparation  may  be  made. 

In  consideration  of  our  dual  form  of  organization,  a meet- 
ing of  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  will  be  held  the  same 
week,  commencing  Monday  the  9th,  at  1 :30  p.  m.  The  presi- 
dent and  Master  Workman  of  each  district  or  division  or 
isolated  local  will  please  take  notice  that  it  will  be  necessary 
to  hold  meetings  of  the  secret  branch  of  the  different  districts 
to  elect  delegates  to  attend  the  business  that  exclusively  be- 
longs to  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor. 

I would  suggest  that  any  important  changes  desired  in  the 
constitution  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  would 
be  communicated  to  us  as  early  as  possible,  that  the  executive 
board  may  prepare  all  such  matter  for  the  convention. 

J.  B.  Rae,  President. 
Robert  Watchorn, 
Secretary-Treasurer. 

CONVENTION  PROCEEDINGS  OF  DISTRICT  NO.  6, 
U.  M.  W.  OF  A. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Tuesday,  Jan.  20,  1891. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  J.  P.  Jones.  The 
following  committee  were  appointed  on  credentials:  Morgan 
Lewis,  Buchtel;  W.  T.  Jones,  Nelsonville;  F.  M.  Toilet,  Frank- 


44 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


lin  Station;  James  Coulter,  Corning;  Joshua  Thomas,  Coal- 
ton;  John  Solon,  Krumroy;  John  Campbell,  Sherrodsville. 

A recess  was  taken  until  2 p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  committee  reported  the  following  entitled  to  seats  in 
the  convention:  J.  P.  Jones,  North  Lawrence;  John  Nugent, 
New  Straitsville ; W.  C.  Pearce,  Corning;  Joshua  Thomas, 
Coalton;  Hugh  Lynch,  Washingtonville ; Charles  Call,  New 
Straitsville;  R.  L.  Davies,  Rendville;  W.  T.  Jones,  Nelson- 
ville;  John  Preese,  Sherrodsville;  Ben  Evans,  Anderson; 
Robert  McCormick,  Sand  Run;  John  Peddicord,  Bellaire; 
D.  A.  Williams,  Youngstown;  Jeff  Thornton,  Maynard;  James 
Smith,  Salineville;  George  Douglas,  North  Lawrence;  P.  J. 
Brown,  Steubenville;  Thomas  Welsh,  Byesville;  George  Culp, 
Wellston;  Edward  George,  Pigeon  Run;  George  W.  Thorne, 
Clover  Hill;  H.  L.  Runkle,  Wellston;  Fred  Wend,  Nelsonville; 
W.  J.  Brown,  Wellston;  James  Maloney,  Steubenville; 
George  Jacoby,  L.  A.  No.  2147 ; William  E.  Farms  and 
Charles  E.  Starr,  Sand  Run;  George  Cavanaugh,  Douglas 
Albaugh,  Zaleski ; Allen  Neal,  L.  A.  No.  10931 ; P.  M. 
Davies,  Byesville;  W.  H.  Watkins,  Carbon  Hill;  D.  L.  Good- 
win, Rehoboth;  L.  M.  Beatty,  Barnhill;  Joseph  Thorpe,  Wash- 
ingtonville; Fred  Gern,  Clinton;  W.  E.  Evans,  Carbon  Hill; 
Thomas  Martin,  Mine  No.  19;  John  Banning,  New  Pitts- 
burgh; John  H.  Taylor,  New  Straitsville;  John  Campbell, 
Sherrodsville;  Martin  Hughes,  Monday;  Dennis  Sullivan, 
Washingtonville;  John  Stitts,  Oakdale;  Edward  Dawson, 
Conesville;  John  Healy,  Hollister;  R.  J.  Jones,  Murray  City; 
Cameron  Miller,  Newman;  William  D.  Griffiths,  Hollister; 
John  Wineford,  Sealover;  William  Seidel,  IMonday;  G.  W. 
Scheck,  Barton;  Harvey  Ingleden,  Salem;  Thomas  Taylor, 
New  Straitsville;  Robert  Pearson,  Orbiston;  Joseph  Mullen, 
Robert  Holland,  Washingtonville;  Edwin  James,  Glen  Roy; 
Harrison  Hoover,  Nimisila;  Barney  McQuade,  Coshocton; 
Fred  Dilcher,  Orbiston;  James  Kirby,  Glouster;  William 
Embleton,  Carbon  Hill;  0.  B.  Koons,  Glouster;  L.  A. 
Scott,  Dell  Roy;  Robert  Robertson,  Lakeview;  Isaiah  Ault, 
Long  Run;  Joseph  Cunan,  Dillonville;  H.  W.  Dozer,  Redfield; 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


45 


C.  C.  Cheeney,  Franklin  Station;  John  J.  Eddy,  John  R.  Rob- 
erts, Fred  Peterson,  Leonard  Clay,  R.  McLain,  Shawnee ; J.  H. 
Levering,  Johnston;  M.  F.  McDonough,  New  Straitsville ; Wil- 
liam Jenkins,  Andrew  Braidwood,  Buckingham;  James  E. 
Davies,  Palmyra;  John  Solon,  Krumroy;  Thomas  E.  Miller, 
Newman;  R.  L.  Davis,  William  Rice,  Rendville;  P.  M.  Don- 
ough,  Cambridge;  Charles  Parblow,  Hamley  Run;  James 
Coulter,  William  Hannigan,  Corning;  Joseph  L.  Wright,  Cas- 
singham;  F.  M.  Toilet,  Stewartsville ; Adam  Nash,  Nelson- 
ville;  Moses  Farmer,  North  Lawrence;  James  Doran,  Wells- 
ton;  Donald  McDonald,  Bellaire;  T.  L.  Lewis,  Bridgeport;  Ben 
Hodgson,  Leetonia;  Mark  Gulliver,  Coalton;  Wl.  H.  Crawford, 
Brashears;  S.  S.  Eddleman,  Beidler;  Wesley  Hammon,  Wells- 
ton;  Morgan  Lewis,  Buchtel;  Morgan  Evans,  Glen  Roy; 
Joseph  B.  Dean,  Bellaire;  William  Moore,  Minglewood;  J. 
Boughman,  Hemlock;  William  Nixon,  Shields;  John  Nye, 
Canal  Fulton;  J.  J.  Penrod,  Glouster;  Frank  Stitz,  Elton; 
W.  P.  Shasteen,  Negley;  J.  D.  Gilliland,  Floodwood;  Ed 
Stoker,  Bridgeport;  Robert  Burton,  Wellston;  James  O’Don- 
nel.  New  Straitsville;  V.  E.  Sullivan,  Glen  Roy;  John  Mattox, 
Ed  James,  Jackson;  James  H.  Dudley,  Glen  Ebon;  A.  A. 
Adams,  Jacksonville;  Frank  M.  Crainer,  Glouster;  W.  C. 
Pearce,  Corning;  William  Stump,  Jacksonville;  John  McDem- 
mott,  Wadsworth;  Joseph  J.  Winkleman,  Wellston;  Adam 
Luse,  Massillon. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  seats  of  Morgan 
Evans,  William  Nixon  and  Delegate  Dudley  contested,  but 
after  action  had  been  taken  by  the  convention  and  a special 
committee,  appointed  to  investigate,  had  reported  all  three 
were  given  a voice  and  vote  in  the  convention. 

The  Chair  appointed  the  following  committee  on  order  of 
business : Edward  George,  Massillon ; Donald  McDonald,  Bel- 
laire; Isaiah  Ault,  Long  Run;  A.  A.  Adams,  Jacksonville; 
R.  McLain,  Shawnee. 

The  committee  recommended  the  following : 

1.  Are  you  in  favor  of  having  all  coal  weighed  before  be- 
ing screened? 

2.  What  price  shall  be  paid  for  the  same?  The  roll  to  be 
called  so  that  each  delegate  will  report  the  views  of  his  con- 
stituency. 


46 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


3.  Machine  question. 

4.  Scale  of  prices  for  engineers,  blacksmiths,  carpenters, 
etc. 

5.  The  defense  fund. 

6.  All  nominations  prior  to  January  2,  1891,  for  the  dif- 
ferent offices  will  be  balloted  for. 

7.  Election  of  officers. 

8.  Miscellaneous  business. 

9.  That  each  delegate  be  limited  to  five  minutes,  and  no 
delegate  shall  speak  twice  until  all  others  have  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  be  heard.  Report  adopted. 

Committee  on  Resolutions. 

William  Hannigan,  Corning;  Cameron  Miller,  Massillon; 
Fred  Wend,  Nelsonville;  Edwin  James,  Glen  Roy;  Richard 
Jones,  Murray  City. 

0»i  Constitution. 

William  Moore,  North  Lawrence;  J.  H.  Taylor,  New 
Straitsville ; J.  J.  Eddy,  Shawnee;  L.  M.  Beatty,  Barnhill;  H. 
W.  Dozer,  Redfield. 

On  Grievances. 

Fred  Dilcher,  Orbiston;  John  Peddicord,  Bellaire;  R.  L. 
Davies,  Rendville. 

On  Auditing. 

The  Chair  appointed  in  addition  to  the  Executive  Board, 
Robert  Robinson,  Cottage  Grove;  T.  L.  Lewis,  Bridgeport: 
James  Doran,  Wellston. 

ADDRESS  OF  PRESIDENT  J.  P.  JONES. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention : 

As  the  chosen  representative  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  you  have  assembled  in  this,  the  first  annual  conven- 
tion, agreeably  to,  and  in  accordance  with  a well  established 
and  time  honored  custom.  I,  as  its  president,  now  submit  to 
you,  and  through  you  to  our  members  a summary  of  the  work 
done  during  the  past  year,  together  with  such  suggestions  as 
are  in  line  with  my  convictions  as  to  what  is  needed  to  enable 
us  not  only  to  guard  against  reverses,  but  still  further  ad- 
vance and  promote  the  interest  of  our  craft.  The  estimated 
coal  production  of  the  state  for  1890  is  double  that  of  the 
preceding  year,  yet  it  must  not  be  presumed  that  we,  as 
miners,  have  all  enjoyed  a corresponding  degree  of  prosperitj*. 
This  is  due  to  these  causes : First,  the  introduction  of  ma- 
chinery; second,  lack  of  shipping  facilities;  third,  the  low 


Ohio  Convention,  Januaey,  1891 


47 


prices  paid  in  certain  localities,  of  which  I will  speak  further 
on.  This  matter  of  discrimination  in  railroad  cars  is  working 
hardships  to  miners  and  operators  alike.  It  is  deplorable  to 
witness  the  interests  that  are  literally  melting  away  under 
this  vicious  system  that  threatens  to  further  prostrate  the 
business  of  operators  that  are  so  unfortunate  as  to  come  under 
its  influences,  while  it  either  starves  our  craftsmen  or  drives 
them  from  their  homes  and  families,  and  I would  recommend 
that  you  voice  your  sentiments  in  language  clear  and  decisive, 
and  that  we  demand  the  passage  of  House  bill  No.  1742,  now 
pending  in  the  Ohio  Legislature.  The  year  just  passed  has 
been  noted  for  strife  and  discontent  in  the  labor  world.  Never 
before  has  so  many  trials  beset  the  path  of  the  wage  worker, 
while  it  has  been  one  of  unprecedented  peace.  This  is  not 
due,  however,  to  the  absence  of  causes  for  striking,  nor  for 
lack  of  sufficient  reasons,  but  because  we  are  still  carrying 
aloft  the  traditional  banner  of  our  predecessors,  that  bears 
the  inscription,  “Arbitration  and  Conciliation.” 


Strikes 

During  the  entire  year  we  have  had  strikes  of  a general 
character,  and  but  eleven  of  a local  nature,  nine  of  which  re- 
sulted favorably,  one  compromise  and  one  defeat. 

In  May,  70  miners  at  Yorkville,  struck  to  secure  an  ad- 
vance of  10  cents  per  ton  in  mining  rates,  and  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  day  scale.  After  one  week’s  idleness  the  company 
granted  the  demands,  and  work  was  resumed. 

At  the  Morgan,  Moore  and  Bayme  mines,  near  Canton, 
eighty  miners  struck  to  secure  an  advance  price  of  7^/2  cents 
per  ton.  After  one  month’s  idleness  a compromise  was  af- 
fected by  us  accepting  5 cents  per  ton  advance,  increased  price 
for  entry  work,  and  the  company  agreeing  to  recognize  and 
treat  with  the  committee. 

At  Diamond,  Portage  county,  60  men  struck  for  7i/^  cents 
per  ton  advance,  semi-monthly  pay,  and  for  back  pay,  then 
in  the  hands  of  the  company.  This  was  carried  to  the  courts, 
and  after  a legal  contest  we  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  ad- 
vance, sought  the  establishment  of  the  lawful  pay  day,  and 
secured  the  money  then  due  the  men. 

The  Osborne  Coal  Company,  at  Salineville,  attempted  to 
enlarge  the  area  of  their  screens.  After  repeated  attempts  at 
arbitration  for  a reduced  size  of  screen,  advance  price  for 
room  turning,  and  the  right  to  employ  a check  weighman; 
these  demands  were  refused,  and  a strike  ensued,  which  was 
bitterly  contested;  but  after  four  months’  strike  the  com- 
pany yielded  and  the  men  resumed  work. 


48 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  miners  of  Bellaire  and  vicinity  decided,  on  May  1,  to 
demand  a uniform  screen,  not  to  exceed  fifty  superficial  feet. 
We  shall  not  stop  here  to  discuss  the  propriety  or  wisdom 
of  that  action.  Suffice  it  is  say,  that  of  eleven  mines  that 
ceased  work  the  reduced  screen  is  established  in  ten  of  them, 
and  the  termination,  perhaps,  justified  the  action. 

On  September  15,  the  miners  of  Clinton  shaft  struck  for 
the  enforcement  of  the  Massillon  scale  of  deficient  work. 
They  were  successful  after  three  months’  idleness. 

September  1 the  miners  of  Mahoning  Valley  suspended 
work  pending  an  arbitration  of  their  demands  for  10  cents 
per  ton  on  mining  rates.  The  operators  refused  to  treat  with 
your  officials,  and  on  the  15th  of  the  same  month  the  men 
struck.  This  occurred  contrary  to  my  advice,  as  it  was  evi- 
dent to  me  that  sooner  or  later  they  must  yield.  They  were 
not  then  under  our  jurisdiction,  but  they  are  now,  and  we 
must  bring  that  valley  into  the  scale  agreement,  even  though 
it  takes  the  strength  of  the  entire  organization  to  accom- 
plish it. 

In  October,  the  miners  of  Cambridge  Division,  of  the  B. 
& 0.  road,  struck  for  an  advance  in  price  for  room  turning, 
and  the  enforcement  of  a scale  for  day  men.  They  were  suc- 
cessful, as  were  the  men  of  the  Standard  mine  in  procuring 
25  cents  per  hundred  bushel,  bank  measure. 

The  miners  of  Cherry  Valley  were  unceremoniously  and 
without  cause  subjected  to  the  indignity  of  a lockout.  This 
practice  is  too  frequently  indulged  in  by  unscrupulous  oper- 
ators when  seeking  some  transitory  advantage  over  their  fel- 
low operator,  denominating  it  as  a business  transaction  when 
practiced  by  them,  and  a breach  of  contract  if  indulged  in 
by  us. 

Strikes  and  Arhitralion. 

Much  has  been  spoken  and  volumes  written  on  the  best 
method  of  adjusting  wage  difficulties,  and  the  preponderance 
of  opinion  is  arrayed  on  the  side  of  arbitration,  as  against 
the  more  cruel  method  of  striking.  We  are  continually  re- 
minded of  the  baneful  effects  of  strikes,  of  the  devastation 
that  invariably  follows  in  its  wake,  and  the  feeling  of  distrust 
that  is  created  that  requires  years  to  re-establish;  yet,  for 
all,  it  also  possesses  its  virtues,  for  many  the  despotic  and 
tyrannical  wretch  has  been  terminated,  and  many  the  right- 
eous conquest  has  been  achieved  thereby.  Never  before  in 
the  history  of  the  organization  has  there  been  a more  manifest 
desire,  or  a more  perceptive  willingness  on  the  part  of  the 
employer  to  submit  to  arbitration  the  adjustment  of  disputes 
with  their  employe;  and  if  we  but  glance  over  the  histoiy  of 
the  past  year  at  the  many  successful  wage  disputes  that  have 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


49 


been  adjusted  in  this  manner,  it  furnishes  argument  at  once, 
eloquent  and  convincing,  that  strikes  should  not  be  resorted 
to  only  when  all  other  methods  have  failed,  and  it  becomes  an 
absolute  necessity,  and  I would  recommend  the  creation  of  a 
joint  board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation,  similar  to  that 
which  formerly  existed  in  this  district. 

Defense  Fund  and  Its  Manacjement. 

It  has  long  been  reasoned  that  the  best  safeguard  that  can 
be  placed  around  our  interest,  the  best  method  to  procure 
justice  at  the  delinquent  hands  of  the  operators,  and  the  only 
bulwark  of  a labor  union  worthy  of  the  name,  is  a strong, 
substantial  defense  fund ; and  the  events  of  the  past  year  has 
demonstrated  the  wisdom  of  that  reasoning.  All  labor  or- 
ganizations with  funds  to  maintain  strikes  are  seldom  called 
upon  to  use  them,  even ; and  unscrupulous  employers  dread  a 
clash  of  a fund  of  this  kind.  It  is  a potent  factor  in  the  re- 
ducing of  strikes,  and  guarantees  the  successful  termination 
of  those  entered  into.  I believe,  however,  that  the  strength 
of  our  organization  could  and  would  be  greatly  augmented 
by  giving  each  state  or  district  control  of  their  own  defense 
fund,  thereby  giving  them  home  rule  in  all  the  word  implies. 

The  justice  of  closing  down  the  mines  of  those  operators 
who  are  complying  with  the  rules  of  our  association  in  pay- 
ing scale  rates,  and  with  whom  we  have  no  cause  for  dispute, 
has  long  been  a question  of  doubt.  In  fact,  common  sense 
and  justice  would  dictate  that  it  is  unfair  to  punish  the  right- 
eous for  the  shortcomings  of  the  unrighteous.  If  there  is  any 
advantage  to  be  given  to  any  employer,  let  it  be  to  those 
who  are  dispcsed  to  treat  fairly  with  us,  for  if  all  are  to  be 
placed  upon  the  same  level,  there  would  be  no  incentive  to 
spur  that  action ; no  inducement  to  treat  with  us  as  organized 
men ; and  if  we  desire  to  establish  and  continue  friendly  rela- 
tions we  must  reciprocate  by  dealing  fairly  with  those  who 
evince  a disposition  to  deal  fairly  with  us,  and  teach  a lesson 
to  those  who  attempt  to  take  advantage  of  our  supposed  weak- 
ness. 

A defense  fund,  controlled  by  districts,  would  be  advan- 
tageous for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  It  is  impossible  to  build  a defense  fund  to  be  useful  in 
a national  sense,  owing  to  the  inability  of  our  members  to  pay 
a sum  requisite  for  its  accumulation. 

2.  The  efficacy  of  the  same  is  destroyed  by  reason  of  the 
distance  it  is  situated  from  us,  and  the  opportunity  of  doing 
good  will  have  passed  away  ere  the  attention  of  the  national 
office  can  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  case  at  issue. 


50 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


3.  By  prompt  and  timely  action  many  a growing  evil  has 
been  checked,  many  a burden  has  been  lifted  from  the  shoul- 
ders of  our  members,  that  if  allowed  to  continue  would  have 
assumed  gigantic  proportions,  and  would  eventually  work  in- 
jury to  our  cause. 


Equalization  of  Day’s  Wages. 

In  harmony  with  the  sentiments  expressed  at  our  national 
convention,  and  agreeably  to  instructions  of  our  national  exec- 
utive board,  an  effort  was  made  to  uniform  the  wages  of  the 
mine  laborers  of  our  district.  We  have  succeeded  in  part 
only,  and  if  you  but  consider  the  difficulties  attending  an 
undertaking  of  this  kind  you  will  arrive  at  the  reasonable 
conclusion  that  to  equalize  the  day  wages,  and  especially  of 
the  unskilled  department  about  our  mines,  is  an  utter  impos- 
sibility, because  of  the  dissimilarity  in  existing  conditions 
and  the  refusal  on  the  part  of  these  men  to  join  our  forces 
unless  guaranteed  a certain  wage,  and  their  willingness  to 
work  for  the  prices  now  being  paid;  and,  in  my  judgment, 
it  would  be  wise  to  draw  the  line  of  demarkation  between 
the  skilled  and  unskilled  labor,  giving  the  preference  to  those 
who,  by  their  actions,  have  said  that  they  are  willing  to  become 
a part  and  parcel  of  our  union,  sharing  its  prosperity  and 
bearing  its  burdens. 

Every  additional  dollar  paid  day  men  enhances  the  cost 
price  of  production,  and  to  that  extent  lessens  the  chances 
of  members  of  our  craft  in  procuring  wages  compatible  with 
the  work  performed.  I would,  therefore,  recommend  the 
formulating  of  a scale  of  prices  for  the  skilled  department 
about  our  mines,  deferring  action  on  all  others  until  they,  by 
their  conduct,  prove  themselves  worthy  of  protection  at  the 
hands  of  our  organization. 

Lahor  Saving  Machmery. 

In  this  age  of  invention  and  discovery  it  cannot  be  de- 
nied that  the  tendency  is  to  substitute  mind  for  muscle.  In 
various  industrial  operations  in  nearly  every  trade,  many 
things  are  now  done  by  machinery  that  were  once  done  by 
hand,  and  doubtless  these  machines  will  be  constantly  increas- 
ing in  number  and  improving  in  efficiency,  and  are  destined 
to  further  displace  and  supplant  the  work  now  performed 
by  hand.  It  is  no  wonder  that  those  of  us  that  had  but  a 
contracted  range  of  observation  should  view  vith  suspicion 
and  refuse  to  believe  that  any  special  blessing  was  being 
visited  upon  us  as  laboring  men  by  the  introduction  of  so- 
called  labor-saving  machinery  in  our  midst.  In  the  first  place, 
machinery,  if  not  subjected  to  the  manipulating  process  of 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


51 


patent  sharks,  tends  to  cheapen  the  commodities  we  must 
buy ; moreover,  the  machine,  by  lowering  the  price  of  the  com- 
modities they  produce,  tends  to  increase  the  demand  for  the 
same,  and  consequently  stimulates  production.  Take  for  ex- 
ample the  printing  press,  the  machines  used  in  the  produc- 
tion of  our  bread  stuffs,  and  the  inventions  of  the  cotton  field ; 
they  have  been  a boon  to  society,  lightening  the  burdens  of 
the  laborer,  shortening  the  hours  of  toil  and  increasing  the 
wages  of  the  operatives.  This  is  not  true  of  the  machines 
used  in  our  mines,  neither  lightening  the  labor,  shortening 
the  hours,  or  increasing  the  pay ; and  with  these  facts  before 
us  we  are  asked  to  support  the  machine  men  in  a fair  and 
equitable  adjustment  of  their  scale;  and,  I take  it,  you  will 
assist  in  establishing  a price  commensurate  with  the  labor 
performed;  but  let  me  say  to  you  that  the  performance  of 
this  task  requires  that  reason  take  the  place  of  sophistry, 
logic  the  place  of  theory,  and  the  exercising  of  our  most 
deliberate  judgment. 

Weighing  of  Coal  Before  It  Is  Screened. 

The  total  production  of  coal  for  Ohio,  for  the  year  1889, 
was  10,907,385  tons;  of  this  amount  1,483,671  tons  are  as 
nut;  1,249,388  belong  to  that  class  of  coal  known  as  pea  and 
slack.  It  will  be  seen  by  these  figures  that  2,733,059  tons  of 
our  product  passed  through  the  screens,  and  to  us  was  a 
barren  waste;  this  unknown  factor,  unknown  so  far  as  value 
is  concerned,  has  long  been  a constant  source  of  irritation 
and  complaint,  and  hence  we  have  inaugurated  this  movement, 
looking  to  a re-establishment  of  weighing  the  coal  as  it  comes 
from  the  mine;  in  order  to  accomplish  this,  it  will  neces- 
sitate concessions  on  both  sides  so  as  to  conform  to  the  new 
order  of  things.  I feel  assured  that  you  are  willing  to  meet 
any  fair  basis,  willing  to  make  any  reasonable  concession  that 
will  enable  us  to  wipe  out  this  pernicious  system  that  deprives 
us  of  that  which  is  righteously  and  fairly  our  own. 

Deficient  Work. 

I take  it  that  we,  as  an  organization,  as  near  as  possible, 
are  disposed  to  place  operators  in  a position  where  like  con- 
ditions will  obtain,  so  far  as  competition  is  concerned.  I have 
learned  one  thing,  however,  that,  in  fixing  our  price  and  ar- 
ranging our  scale,  we  usually  take  under  consideration 
only  the  price  paid  per  ton,  giving  no  attention  to  the  de- 
ficient work  necessary  to  be  performed  in  producing  the  same. 
I would  therefore  recommend  that  you  instruct  your  exec- 
utive board  to  map  out  and  form  sub-districts  or  divisions 
where  like  conditions  exist,  and  that  conventions  be  held  in 


52 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


each,  and  legislation  be  enacted  providing  pay  for  all  de- 
ficiency that  the  miner  is  obliged  to  contend  with.  It  is  unfair 
that  we,  as  miners,  are  compelled  to  produce  coal  hindered  by 
water,  slate,  etc.,  and  receive  only  the  same  figure  as  when 
our  coal  is  practically  pure  and  deficiency  is  unknown. 

Overweight. 

A constant  cause  of  complaint  is  the  custom  now  in  vogue 
and  extensively  practiced,  of  the  placing  of  a limit  on  the 
cars;  all  coal  in  excess  of  that  limit  is  appropriated  by  the 
company,  and  while  we  recognize  the  right  of  any  company 
to  determine  the  capacity  of  their  cars,  yet  we  believe  that 
it  is  eminently  unfair  that  this  excessive  weight  should  be 
applied  to  their  private  use.  I would  recommend  the  estab- 
lishment of  a fund,  the  management  of  which  should  be  de- 
termined by  those  interested,  and  all  overweight  should  be 
applied  to  this  fund  and  the  proceeds  to  be  utilized  in  reliev- 
ing the  distress  of  any  of  our  brothers  who  should  be  so 
unfortunate  as  to  be  injured  while  plying  their  vocation. 


Eight-Tlour  Worhdag. 

The  American  Federation  of  Labor  has  decreed,  and  our 
national  board  has  concurred,  that  May  1 will  witness  the 
inauguration  of  the  eight-hour  workday.  Prior  to  that  our 
national  convention  meets,  and  I take  it  that  at  that  time 
full  instruction  will  be  given.  I would  recommend  that  we 
stamp  it  with  the  seal  of  our  approval  and  declare  by  reso- 
lution that  we  are  ready  to  move  when  called  upon. 

My  relations  with  district  and  national  officers  have  been 
of  the  most  pleasant  character,  and  the  kindly  advice  and 
sympathy  I have  received  from  officers  and  members  place 
me  under  obligations,  and  to  all  tender  my  sincere  thanks. 
You  will  be  called  upon  to  consider  many  things,  to  which 
I have  made  no  allusion,  but  past  experience  teaches  me  that 
deliberate  judgment  will  prevail. 

As  we  enter  the  second  year  of  our  existence,  let  us  press 
forward,  animated  by  the  encouragement  of  the  departed 
year,  let  us  continue  to  appeal  to  the  business  sense  of  our 
associates,  let  us  bear  in  mind  the  condition  that  per\-ades 
where  organization  is  unknown,  undismayed  by  the  reverses 
we  have  sustained,  let  us  supplicate  the  aid  of  those  who  are 
outside  the  pale  of  organization,  and  redoubling  our  labors, 
evoking  the  blessings  of  Divine  Providence,  and  I anticipate 
a successful  and  harmonious  convention. 

John  P.  Jones,  President. 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


53 


secretary-treasurer’s  report. 

Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce  made  his  report  covering  the 
year’s  work,  including  the  administration  of  Secretary  Ebe- 
nezer  Lewis  from  January  to  August  21,  1890. 

The  receipts  to  August  21,  including  cash  on  hand  De- 
cember 31,  1889,  of  $957.13,  amounted  to  $3,528.01.  Ex- 
penses, $2,798.94,  leaving  a balance  in  the  treasury  August 
21  of  $729.07.  For  the  balance  of  the  year  1890,  the  re- 
ceipts were  $2,623.61,  expenses  $1,955.89,  leaving  a balance 
January  20,  1891,  of  $1,396.79.  To  this  amount  $136.07  was 
paid  by  the  delegates  attending  the  convention,  which  left  a 
balance  in  the  treasury  January  28,  1891,  of  $1,532.86. 

The  auditing  committee  made  the  following  report : 

We,  your  committee  being  appointed  to  audit  the  books  of 
the  secretary-treasuer,  W.  C.  Pearce,  beg  leave  to  report  that 
we  have  audited,  investigated  and  examined  the  books  and 
accounts,  and  find  them  correct  as  is  shown  in  this  report. 

John  Robinson, 

T.  L.  Lewis, 

James  Doran, 

Auditing  Committee. 

On  the  roll  being  called,  each  delegate  as  his  name  was 
announced  expressed  the  views  of  his  constituents  as  to  the 
legislation  required  to  make  the  joint  organized  forces  a suc- 
cess. 

After  which  the  convention  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION. 

Wednesday,  January  21,  1891. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Jones. 

Minutes  of  previous  meeting  read  and  deferred  for  fur- 
ther action. 

Resolved,  That  all  coal  be  weighed  before  being  screened. 
Adopted. 

The  President  appointed  a special  committee  on  scale  and 
run  of  mine  coal  as  follows:  Hugh  Lynch,  James  O’Donnell, 
Andrew  Braidwood,  G.  W.  Thorn,  Mark  Colli ver,  John  Rob- 
erts, Joseph  Cunan,  Thomas  Welsh,  W.  H.  Crawford,  David 


54 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Williams,  J.  D.  Winkleman,  Adam  Nash,  William  Farms, 
William  Watkins,  P.  J.  Brown,  C.  C.  Cheeney. 

After  a brief  interview  the  committee  reported:  That 
the  scale  for  run  of  mine  coal,  based  on  the  Hocking  Valley, 
should  be  57  1/7  cents  per  ton.  The  report  of  the  committee 
was  adopted. 

The  following  action  was  taken  on  the  machine  question, 
and  adopted. 

Whereas,  The  price  now  paid  for  loading  coal  after  the 
machine  does  not  compensate  the  loader  for  the  work  per- 
formed, and 

Whereas,  The  difference  that  now  exists  between  the  cost 
of  pick-mined  coal  and  machine-mined  coal  is  too  great,  which 
amounts  to  a discrimination  on  our  part  against  the  pick  oper- 
ators ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  that,  on  and  after  May  1, 
1891,  men  loading  coal  after  the  Harrison  machine  receive 
three-fifths  of  the  price  paid  for  coal  mined  with  the  pick 
and  5 cents  per  ton  more  for  loading  coal  after  the  Lechner 
or  Legg  machine,  and  when  men  do  their  own  drilling  5 
cents  per  ton  for  drilling  room  coal  and  7 cents  for  dril- 
ling entry  coal,  and  all  other  machine  work  advanced  in  pro- 
portion, but  all  run-of-mine  machine-mined  coal  shall  be  based 
on  the  six-sevenths  principle  as  now  adopted  by  the  machine 
miners  of  the  leading  machine  mines  of  Ohio  at  their  conven- 
tion recently  held  at  Murray  City. 

The  day  scale  for  machine  men  shall  be  for  runners,  $3 
per  day;  and  for  helpers,  $2.50.  In  the  Hocking  Valley,  for 
cutting  coal  with  the  Legg  machine,  shall  be  in  the  entry, 
break  through,  room,  neck  and  all  narrow  work,  12 14,  cents 
per  ton,  and  room  work,  9 cents  per  ton.  After  the  Harrison 
or  Puncher,  the  price  shall  be  for  all  narrow  work,  15  cents 
per  ton;  in  the  room,  I31/2  cents  per  ton,  and  the  drillers 
shall  be  paid  one-quarter  of  what  the  cutters  receive,  based 
on  the  price  paid  for  entry  and  room  work. 

A message  from  Chris  Evans,  secretary  of  the  American 
Federation  of  Labor  in  New  York  City,  was  received  and  read 
before  the  convention,  bidding  us  God-speed  and  to  take  no 
step  backward.  The  convention  authorized  the  secretary  to 
reply. 

In  answer  to  the  above,  the  secretary  wired  the  following : 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


55 


One  hundred  and  twenty  delegates  and  twelve  thousand 
constituents  tender  thanks.  No  step  backward.  Still  the  ban- 
ner district. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  a scale  of  prices  for  engineers, 
blacksmiths,  carpenters  and  helpers.  Adopted. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

As  soon  as  the  convention  was  organized  Hon.  John  Mc- 
Bride, Hon.  N.  R.  Hysell,  Hon.  Samuel  Llewllyn,  T.  W.  Davis 
and  Mr.  George  Leahy  visited  the  convention  and  all  made 
appropriate  speeches,  which  were  well  received  by  the  dele- 
gates present. 

The  following  were  appointed  a committee  on  defense 
fund:  Thomas  C.  Miller,  Joseph  Thorpe  and  Barney  Mc- 
Quade. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION. 

Thursday,  January  22,  1891. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed  by  the  President 
to  extend  to  the  Governor  an  invitation  to  attend  the  conven- 
tion: Thomas  Taylor,  Cameron  Miller  and  William  Embleton. 

The  committee  on  constitution  made  a partial  report  as 
follows : 

Any  member  is  eligible  to  office  in  this  district  provided 
he  has  been  a member  of  either  branch  in  good  standing  six 
months  prior  to  his  nomination,  and  must  be  a member  of 
both  branches  before  qualifying  for  office. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Governor  Campbell  made  his  appearance,  and  was  received 
by  the  convention  with  great  applause,  each  delegate  rising 
and  cheering  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  visitor. 

The  Governor  addressed  the  convention  at  length  in  well 
chosen  remarks,  which  were  received  amidst  great  applause 
by  all  delegates  present. 


56 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Chief  Inspector  of  Mines  Hazelton  and  Hon.  John  Mc- 
Bride made  very  interesting  speeches  and  their  valuable  ad- 
vice given  was  duly  appreciated. 

AMENDMENTS  TO  CONSTITUTION. 

No  salaried  officer  shall  solicit  or  receive  leave  of  absence 
to  take  the  stump  for  any  political  party,  under  penalty  of 
forfeiture  of  his  office. 

At  each  annual  convention  of  this  district  seven  delegates 
shall  be  elected  to  represent  this  district  in  the  joint  conven- 
tion of  miners  and  operators,  to  formulate  a scale  of  prices 
to  govern  the  ensuing  year;  that  an  auditor  be  added  to  the 
list  of  officials;  that  members  of  the  executive  board  must 
attend  all  meetings  of  the  district  as  delegates-at-large ; that 
locals  having  more  than  one  vote  may  give  all  votes  to  one 
delegate,  and  that  all  votes  cast  on  questions  of  price  be 
recorded  with  each  delegate’s  name  and  how  he  voted,  and 
to  become  part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention.  This 
shall  also  apply  to  special  conventions. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  DEFENSE  FUND. 

Whereas,  Emergencies  are  likely  to  arise  during  the  com- 
ing year  by  reason  of  the  measure  adopted  at  this  convention 
requiring  the  full  financial  aid  and  assistance  of  our  craft 
throughout  the  state ; and 

Whereas,  The  assistance  fund  now  absolutely  under  the 
national  organization  is  likely  to  be  required  to  meet  the  emer- 
gencies aforesaid ; be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  paying  the  assistance 
fund  in  such  a way  that  it  will  be  absolutely  under  the  control 
of  the  state  officers. 

Adopted. 

The  following  voted  no  against  this  proposition:  Edwin 

James,  W.  H.  Watkins,  R.  L.  Davis,  C.  T.  Parblow,  J.  B.  Dean, 
E.  Sullivan,  H.  W.  Dyer,  William  Rice,  Morgan  Evans,  John 
Nye,  T.  L.  Lewis,  Ed.  Stoker. 

The  following  preambles  and  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  members  of  Local  Union,  No.  13,  working 
at  the  ^tna  mine  have  been  locked  out  since  July  1,  1890, 
for  demanding  recognition  as  union  men  and  enforcing  scale 
rates,  and  have  exhausted  every  honorable  means  to  settle 
the  difficulty  without  success ; therefore,  be  it 


Ohio  Convention,  January,  1891 


57 


Resolved,  That  this  convention  respectfully  request  the 
Executive  Council  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  to 
use  their  influence  in  getting  the  members  of  the  A.  A.  of  I. 
and  S.  W.  to  refuse  to  handle  non-union  coal. 

Whereas,  There  are  some  very  important  bills  before  the 
General  Assembly  of  Ohio  in  connection  with  labor  and  its 
interest ; be  it 

Resolved,  That  all  delegates  present  call  on  their  respec- 
tive representatives  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  secure  the 
passage  of  said  bills; 

Resolved,  That  our  district  officers  shall  have  full  power 
to  order  men  out  on  strike  when  working  below  scale  rates. 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary-treasurer  shall  make  a report 
every  three  months  of  the  flnancial  standing  of  this  organi- 
zation and  publish  the  same  in  our  official  organ. 

Whereas,  There  is  considerable  neglect  in  mine  officers 
not  demanding  cards  prior  to  men  commencing  work  at  the 
mines;  therefore,  mine  officials  must  demand  cards  from  all 
men. 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  three  copies  of  the  constitution  be  for- 
warded to  each  mine. 

Whereas,  Children  of  tender  age  are  being  employed  both 
in  the  mines  and  factories  of  this  state ; and 

Whereas,  The  system  is  injurious  to  the  health  and  life 
of  those  children  who  are  so  employed  by  reason  of  their  child- 
hood; and 

Whereas,  There  is  a bill  now  pending  in  the  Ohio  legisla- 
ture, the  text  of  which  is  that  all  children  under  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  be  excluded  from  such  mine  and  factory ; there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  in  convention  assembled  endorse  the 
measure  and  ask  that  it  be  enacted  into  law. 

Whereas,  There  is  much  dissatisfaction  on  the  over-weight 
question ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  all  over-weight  be  paid  into  the  check- 
weighman’s  fund. 

Adopted  as  a whole,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION. 

Friday,  January  23,  1891. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m.  and  resolu- 
tions adopted  as  follows : 

Whereas,  The  rule  governing  the  docking  system  of  the 
state  is  unsatisfactory;  therefore,  be  it 


58 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  valleys,  sub-districts  or  locals  adopt  such 
rules  as  will  give  satisfaction  to  their  miners,  to  be  approved 
by  the  executive  board. 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  the  Mahoning  Valley  are  consid- 
erably below  the  present  scale ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  district  officers  give  said  valley  their 
immediate  attention,  and  that  we,  the  miners  of  District  6, 
pledge  our  undivided  support  to  said  miners  in  their  efforts 
to  maintain  scale  rates. 

Whereas,  There  is  dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  the 
miners  of  Bellaire  and  vicinity  on  account  of  Troll  miners 
going  to  work ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  the  miners  of  the  Troll  mine 
acted  right  in  declaring  the  strike  off,  under  the  circum- 
stances. 

This  convention  does  hereby  demand  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  State  of  Ohio  the  enactment  into  law  of  a re- 
form ballot  known  as  the  Australian  System. 

Resolved,  That  a notice  be  placed  at  the  mine  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  day  on  which  the  company  intend  loading  run-of- 
mine  coal. 

Resolved,  That  the  Massillon  Inde'pendent  be  endorsed  as 
the  official  organ  of  our  district. 

Be  it  resolved.  That  we  condemn  any  of  our  members 
making  known  to  the  mine  boss  or  officials  of  the  company 
the  transaction  of  business  adopted  at  our  mine  meetings,  un- 
less regularly  elected  mine  officials. 

Be  it  resolved,  That  we  condemn  the  use  of  all  inferior 
grades  of  oil  in  our  mines,  and  demand  that  nothing  but  the 
best  grade  of  lard  oil  shall  be  used  in  any  of  the  mines. 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS. 

President,  or  Master  Workman — John  P.  Jones  was  elected 
by  acclamation. 

Vice-President,  or  Worthy  Foreman — John  Nugent,  Ed. 
Thomas,  J.  J.  Eddy. 

Result  of  Ballot — John  Nugent,  147 ; J.  J.  Eddy,  42 ; Ed. 
Thomas,  21.  John  Nugent  was  declared  elected. 

Secretary-Treasurer — W.  C.  Pearce  received  112  votes; 
Hugh  Lynch,  16;  John  H.  Taylor,  20;  T.  L.  Lewis,  22;  J.  R. 
Roberts,  12;  C.  L.  Kimes,  10;  John  Crayle,  10.  W.  C.  Pearce 
was  declared  elected,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 


Coke  Workers  Strike  for  Wage  Increase 


59 


MORNING  SESSION. 

Saturday,  January  24,  1891. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m. 

The  following  Executive  Board  was  elected:  Joshua 

Thomas,  Charles  Call,  Hugh  Lynch,  Ed  James,  R.  L.  Davis. 
Auditor,  L.  M.  Beatty. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  American  Federation  of  Labor 
has  decided  that  the  United  Mine  Workers  are  to  carry  into 
effect  the  eight-hour  workday  on  May  1,  1891; 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  endorse  and  instruct  our  dele- 
gates to  the  national  convention  that  we  are  in  favor  of  en- 
forcing the  same.  Adopted. 

At  the  appearance  of  the  national  officers,  John  B.  Rae 
and  Robert  Watchorn,  a recess  of  five  minutes  was  taken  to 
welcome  them.  Both  addressed  the  convention  briefly,  and 
their  remarks  were  well  received. 

Moved  that  the  delegates  to  the  national  convention  be 
chosen  from  the  mines  or  locals.  Motion  adopted. 

Delegates  elected  to  the  Trades  and  Labor  Assembly  of 
the  state  were : John  P.  Jones,  John  Nugent  and  W.  C.  Pearce. 

The  executive  board  was  elected  to  attend  the  joint  con- 
vention of  operators  and  miners,  to  be  held  in  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
April,  1891.  A vote  of  thanks  tendered  to  the  officers  of  the 
convention,  after  which  the  convention  adjourned,  to  meet 
in  Columbus,  Ohio,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January,  1892. 
John  P.  Jones,  District  President, 

W.  C.  Pearce,  District  Secretary-Treasurer. 

COKE  WORKERS’  STRIKE. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  February  9,  1891. 

The  Connellsville  Coke  Workers’  strike  was  for  an  advance 
in  wages  of  121/2  cents  per  ton  for  coal  mining,  as  against  a 
10  per  cent  reduction  demanded  by  the  operators.  About  10,- 
000  miners  refused  to  work. 

The  workmen  offered  to  continue  work  at  the  wages  being 
paid  until  March  1,  1891,  provided  the  operators  would  ar- 
range a satisfactory  scale.  This  the  operators  refused.  The 
independent,  or  small  operators,  then  made  a proposition  to 
their  men  to  pay  the  old  wages  until  a settlement  of  the  trou- 


60 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ble,  which  being  regarded  as  unsatisfactory  was  rejected  and 
the  strike  ordered. 

The  action  of  the  Connellsville  workmen  in  resisting  the 
reduction  was  indorsed  by  the  delegates  at  the  national  con- 
vention of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  February 
12,  1891. 

FIRST  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  UNITED  MINE 
WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Tuesday,  February  10,  1891. 
The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  John  B. 
Rae,  who  after  a few  well  chosen  remarks  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing committees : 

Committee  on  credentials : Daniel  Lennon,  Clearfield ; 

James  Flynn,  Punxsutawney ; C.  M.  Parker,  Scottdale;  M. 
McQuade,  Mansfield,  Pa. ; W.  C.  Pearce,  Corning,  Ohio ; J.  H. 
Kennedy,  Brazil,  Ind. ; T.  J.  Logan,  Streator,  111. ; Henry 
Stephenson,  Coalburg,  W.  Va. 

Committee  on  rules : P.  H.  Penna,  Linton,  Ind. ; J.  P. 
Jones,  North  Lawrence,  Ohio;  John  Kane,  Coal  Bluff,  Ind.; 
Peter  Wise,  Scottdale;  James  White,  Houtzdale,  Pa.;  M. 
F.  Moran,  Wheeling,  W.  Va. ; Charles  Wallace,  Mansfield,  Pa. 

President  Rae  appointed  Patrick  McBryde  assistant  sec- 
retary. 

President  Rae  informed  the  convention  that  President 
Gompers  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  and  Secretar>'- 
Treasurer  Hayes,  Hugh  Cavanaugh,  Worthy  Foreman,  and 
A.  W.  Wright,  members  of  the  General  Executive  Board  of 
the  Knights  of  Labor  were  in  the  city,  and  that  during  the 
absence  of  the  committee  on  credentials  the  time  of  the  dele- 
gates could  not  be  more  profitably  employed  than  in  listening 
to  some  remarks  from  those  gentlemen,  and  appointed  as  a 
committee  to  wait  on  President  Gompers  and  invite  him  to 
come  and  address  the  convention,  Charles  McDonald  and  R.  D. 
Kerfoot,  and  the  representatives  of  the  General  Executive 
Board  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  James  W.  Kilduff  and  James 
O’Donnell. 

After  a short  interval  of  time  the  committee  returned,  ac- 
companied by  the  gentlemen  named. 


One-Year-Old  United  Mine  Workers 


61 


President  Rae,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  convention,  holding 
the  hands  of  President  Gompers  and  Brother  Wright,  ex- 
plained the  relations  between  the  United  Mine  Workers  and 
the  two  great  bodies  of  organized  labor  of  America,  and  con- 
cluded by  introducing  President  Gompers  to  the  convention. 

After  speeches  were  delivered  by  Messrs.  Gompers,  Wright 
and  Gavanaugh,  President  Rae  called  on  the  Hon.  John  Mc- 
Bride, who  came  into  the  hall,  and  addressed  the  convention  at 
some  length. 

Moved,  by  Secretary  Watchorn,  that  our  thanks  be  ten- 
dered the  gentlemen  who  have  addressed  the  convention.  The 
motion  was  carried  by  a standing  vote;  the  delegates  loudly 
applauding. 

President  Gompers,  in  behalf  of  Brother  Wright,  himself 
and  the  other  speakers,  thanked  the  convention,  and  wished 
the  delegates  God-speed  in  their  undertakings. 

Adjourned  until  1 :30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

As  the  committee  on  credentials  was  not  ready  to  report, 
a recess  was  taken  until  2 :30. 

RERORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  CREDENTIALS. 

Golumbus,  Ohio,  February  10,  1891. 

To  the  Representatives  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica : 

Gentlemen — We,  your  committee  on  credentials,  beg  leave 
to  recommend  the  following  named  delegates  be  entitled  to 
seats  in  this  convention : 

District  2,  Pennsylvania — M.  J.  Purcell,  Dan  Lennon,  T.  A. 
Bradley,  James  White,  J.  0.  Henderson,  Mathew  Weeks,  Wm. 
S.  Powell,  Geo.  T.  Robinson,  Robert  Snowball,  P.  F.  Hynes, 
Alex.  Caldwell,  Jas.  W.  Kilduff,  J.  T.  Robbins. 

District  A,  Pennsylvania — John  R.  Paisley,  Local  A.  1473 ; 
R.  A.  Kinsloe. 

District  3,  Pennsylvania — W.  B.  Wilson,  James  Flynn. 

District  4,  Pennsylvania — John  B.  Moore,  Peter  Wise, 
James  Small,  Wm.  Fallen,  James  Crow,  George  Eger,  James 
McBride,  George  McCarty,  L.  R.  Davis,  Michael  Barrett, 


62 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Charles  Patterson,  Lewis  Stiner,  Leister  Herbert,  Mike 
Dismon,  George  Neider,  Joseph  Orish,  John  Beveridge,  Felix 
McGivern,  Michael  Morrisey,  Simon  Meyers,  Otto  Stitzer, 
Fred  Kline,  R.  J.  Morgan,  0.  C.  Cunningham,  H.  L.  Ball,  W. 
H.  Sutton,  John  McNulty,  W.  S.  Johnson,  Owen  Cassady, 
George  Lale,  Wm.  Hay,  Owen  Brownfield,  D.  H.  Bare,  Wm. 
Spence,  James  Keegan,  R.  D.  Kerfoot,  C.  M.  Parker,  Joseph 
Welsh. 

District  5,  Pennsylvania — M.  McQuade,  Peter  Collins,  John 
Ashworth,  Charles  Wallace,  Edward  J.  McCue,  John  McGold- 
rich,  James  Andrews,  Wm.  Murray,  John  Jones,  Abraham 
Winders,  James  Nelson,  Joseph  Elkstine,  W.  H.  Love,  Ed. 
McKay. 

District  6,  Ohio — Ernest  Baker,  A.  A.  Adams,  C.  H.  Smith, 
Joseph  Gress,  David  Montgomery,  John  Lambart,  John  Solon, 
Cameron  Miller,  Michael  Ratchford,  John  Thomas,  N.  G.  Mil- 
ler, F.  M.  Tollett,  Joseph  Curran,  J.  H.  Berrj",  Harry  Phelps, 
W.  H.  Crawford,  J.  J.  Eddy,  D.  J.  Jones,  C.  D.  Armstrong, 
H.  L.  Runkle,  R.  J.  Maloney,  Hugh  Le^^is,  C.  C.  Cheney,  W. 
J.  Ryan,  R.  L.  Davis,  Hany  O’Connor,  Barney  McQuade, 
Albert  Button,  J.  J.  Penrod,  L.  Hughes,  Sam  Martin,  George 
Douglas,  P.  J.  Brown,  C.  T.  Partlow,  Wm.  Jenkins,  Wm.  Col- 
lins, F.  M.  Davis,  M.  S.  Wolford,  Thomas  Spink,  L.  A.  Scott, 
William  Burns,  L.  M.  Beatty,  Mike  Jackson,  Henrj*  Herrold, 
N.  T.  Jones,  Morgan  Lewis,  Fred  Dilcher,  Joseph  Smart, 
Isaac  Jones,  John  Fahy,  W.  E.  Evans,  G.  L.  Steenrod,  John 
Evans,  John  Eyley,  Wm.  E.  Farms,  Roily  Heartgrove,  F.  M. 
CravTord,  George  Archell,  Donald  klcDonald. 

District  11,  Indiana — Joseph  Dunkerly,  John  Gilmore, 
Emanuel  Dixon,  George  Taylor,  P.  H.  Penna,  R.  Garde, 
Morgan  Green,  J.  B.  Sherwood,  Thomas  Cochran,  Frank 
Lockhart,  Joseph  Siddons,  Thomas  Fitzpatrick,  J.  H.  Ken- 
nedy, John  Kane. 

District  12,  Illinois — M.  J.  Goings,  T.  J.  Logan,  Wm.  Tho- 
burn,  Samuel  Fuge,  John  Conley,  Timothy  Bowen,  Wm.  Kawls, 
Thomas  Westonland,  John  E.  Atkinson. 

District  13,  Iowa — W.  H.  Turner. 

District  17,  West  Virginia — Henry  Stephenson,  ]\L  F. 
Moran,  Edward  Nangle,  Wm.  McDermott,  Thomas  Burdess, 


One-Year-Old  United  Mine  Workers 


63 


Wm.  F.  Asbury,  T.  W.  Nunley,  James  J.  Miskell,  John  L.  Ed- 
monds, Patrick  McGucken,  Thomas  Clark. 

District  19,  Kentucky — W.  C.  Webb. 

District  20,  Alabama — J.  L.  Conley. 

District  21 — Thomas  McCettigan. 

Washington — Wm.  S.  Penman. 

Division  22,  Pomeroy,  Ohio — Eli  Thomas. 

Moved,  by  Representative  Kane  of  Indiana,  that  the  report 
of  the  committee  on  credentials  be  adopted,  so  far  as  there  is 
no  dispute,  and  disputed  cases  be  taken  up  seriatim.  Adopted. 

Your  committee  further  reports  unfavorably  on  the  creden- 
tials of  Joseph  Welsh,  delegate  from  Local  Union  438  and 
Local  Union  232,  those  two  locals  not  having  recognized  their 
district. 

This  question  caused  considerable  discussion,  it  having 
been  before  the  National  Executive  Board  since  the  solidifica- 
tion last  year. 

The  executive  board  recommended  that  the  delegates  be 
seated,  and  that  the  locals  referred  to  pay  tax  from  the  first 
of  the  year,  1891. 

Representative  Penna  moved  that  the  recommendation  of 
the  executive  board  be  concurred  in,  which  was  adopted. 

The  convention  gave  an  emphatic  expression  that  the  con- 
stitution must  be  amended  so  that  locals  who  do  not  pay  their 
district  taxes  will  not  be  recognized  by  the  national  organiza- 
tion. 

The  recommendation  of  the  committee  that  the  delegate 
from  Irwin  Station,  Pa.,  be  admitted  to  a seat  in  the  conven- 
tion with  voice  and  vote  was  unanimously  adopted. 

In  District  5,  in  which  there  were  nineteen  delegates  re- 
ported and  only  entitled  to  fourteen  votes,  the  delegates  from 
the  district  decided  who  should  be  seated,  and  the  committee 
presented  the  following  supplementary  report : 

That  the  five  delegates  from  District  5 who  are  not  en- 
titled to  a vote  be  extended  the  courtesy  of  a voice  and  seat 
without  a vote. 

The  names  are  Charles  McDonald,  Edward  McKay,  David 
Watkins,  S.  H.  Kersop,  John  A.  Cairns. 


64 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


On  the  credentials  of  Brother  Walker  of  District  5 we  re- 
port unfavorably. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  Charles  McDonald’s  cre- 
dentials caused  considerable  discussion. 

Moved,  by  Brother  Kane,  that  the  payment  of  tax  by  the 
Federal  L.  A.,  Pennsylvania,  entitles  District  5 to  another 
vote,  and  the  undisputed  delegates  decide  who  shall  be  seated. 
Adopted. 

Brother  McKay  requested  and  received  the  liberty  to  make 
a statement  as  to  the  position  of  the  assembly  he  represented. 
At  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks  he  was  given  a seat  in  the 
convention  and  entitled  to  a vote. 

Daniel  Lennon,  Chairman, 

Henry  Stephenson,  Secretary. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  then  adopted  as  amended. 

PRESIDENT  RAE’S  ADDRESS. 

The  past  year  has  been  one  of  the  most  eventful  in  the 
history  of  miners’  organizations  in  this  country.  We  started 
out  on  comparatively  new  and  untried  ground.  It  was  a bold 
step,  not  without  some  risk,  yet  so  full  of  promise  as  to  justify 
any  possible  sacrifice  involved. 

The  results  more  than  justify  our  fondest  hopes,  and  al- 
though we  feel  that  we  have  only  begun  building  what  we 
fully  expect  to  be,  the  greatest  organization  of  wage  earners 
of  America,  yet  the  work  done  makes  us  feel  thankful,  and 
incites  us  to  renewed  effort  and  fresh  courage. 

The  difficulties  we  have  met,  and  misunderstandings  that 
may  have  arisen,  instead  of  discouraging,  should  teach  us 
wisdom;  and  in  seeking  their  correction,  it  should  be  vith 
the  desire  to  bring  harmony  and  not  in  a spirit  of  captious 
criticism;  anything  personal  or  vindictive  prevents  progress 
and  improvement. 

Const itutional  Changes. 

The  tendency  of  all  labor  organizations  is  to  make  fre- 
quent and  radical  changes  in  their  constitutions  in  the  hope 
that  every  possible  contingency  might  be  covered  and  the 
machine  made  as  complete  as  possible.  This  is  a mistake. 
Too  much  drapery  is  a hindrance  to  activity,  and  tight  lacing 
not  only  prevents  healthy  development,  but  makes  it  impos- 
sible to  bend  to  the  life  work  wfith  that  elasticity  and  ease 
essential  to  real  progress  and  success.  I would,  therefore, 
recommend  that  the  constitution  be  tampered  with  as  little 


One-Yeak-Old  United  Mine  Workers 


65 


as  possible.  “The  body  is  best  governed  that  is  least  gov- 
erned.” The  fewer  the  laws,  the  fewer  the  chances  of  viola- 
tion. After  all,  the  intelligent  application  of  great  principles 
by  an  earnest  and  competent  executive  board  is  the  best  and 
only  successful  form  of  government  for  a labor  organization. 
Simplify  the  constitution  you  have,  if  it  be  necessary,  but  add 
as  little  thereto  as  possible. 


Defense  Fund. 

One  thing  is  indisputable,  and  that  is,  that  we  can  not  have 
a strong,  effective  organization  without  a good,  strong 
treasury.  The  Amalgamated  Association  of  Iron  and  Steel 
Workers,  the  carpenters  and  glass  workers,  are  pertinent 
examples.  To  be  really  successful,  our  defense  fund  should 
be  sufficient  to  pay  a certain  sum  to  members  when  unem- 
ployed, whether  from  strike,  lockout  or  depression  in  trade. 
I would  recommend  that  the  matter  be  considered  and  a plan 
drafted  and  sent  back  to  the  locals  for  their  consideration. 
We  might  be  able  to  take  definite  action  at  our  next  annual 
convention.  In  the  meantime,  I would  suggest  that,  in  the 
future,  the  general  and  defense  funds  be  consolidated,  and  sim- 
plify the  work  in  the  national  office,  and  by  setting  apart  a cer- 
tain percentage  to  defense  purposes  the  same  end  is  reached. 
Twenty-five  cents  per  member,  monthly  dues,  with  80  per 
cent  for  defense  purposes,  would  make  your  organization 
stronger  and  more  effective. 


Scale  Rates  for  Mining. 

A national  convention  should  not  attempt  to  formulate 
scales  of  prices  for  all  the  different  districts,  but  few  of  us 
are  acquainted  with  the  conditions  outside  of  our  own  dis- 
tricts. It  becomes  the  duty,  therefore,  of  each  district  to 
formulate  its  own  scale.  When  presented  here  at  our  annual 
convention,  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  correcting  inequalities, 
modifying  extremes  and  securing  such  approval  as  will  insure 
concert  of  action.  Two  things  demand  special  attention: 

1.  The  weighing  of  coal  before  it  is  screened.  A false 
public  sentiment  is  created  by  our  present  system  in  screen- 
ing that  is  very  much  against  us  in  any  effort  to  increase 
prices  of  mining.  We  agreed  upon  70  cents  and  79  cents,  as 
the  case  may  be,  for  producing  a ton  of  coal,  where  one  ton 
out  of  every  three  we  dig  goes  through  the  screens,  and  the 
digger  gets  nothing  for  it.  The  system  also  gives  encourage- 
ment to  the  practice  of  employing  unskilled  labor,  as  anyone 
can  butcher  coal.  It  requires  a practical  miner  to  dig  it. 
The  greater  the  butcher  the  greater  the  screenings,  and  the 


66 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


more  given  away  for  nothing.  We  should  insist  on  having  a 
price  fixed  for  all  coal  mined. 

2.  That  the  prices  agreed  upon  contemplates  cash  pay- 
ments only.  Many  operators  complain  that  they  are  placed 
at  very  serious  disadvantage  in  the  market  by  those  who  rely 
on  their  stores  (commonly  called  “pluck-me”)  for  their  profits. 
Making  our  arrangements  on  a strictly  cash  basis  and  cor- 
recting inequalities  where  they  exist,  it  will  be  of  great  bene- 
fit and  bring  greater  harmony  into  the  mining  industry. 

Hours  of  Labor. 

As  regularly  as  we  meet  in  annual  convention,  our  atten- 
tion is  called  to  the  question  of  reducing  the  hours  of  labor. 
The  question  has  been  constantly  discussed  and  emphatic  reso- 
lutions passed,  and,  to  many,  it  seems  as  if  these  efforts  were 
wholly  barren  of  results.  The  careful  student  of  humanity 
sees  differently.  Not  only  does  he  hear  in  those  discussions 
the  echo  of  a constantly  felt  need,  but  he  sees  in  those  efforts 
a process  of  education  and  a steadily  increasing  sentiment  and 
growth  of  purpose  that  promises  great  and  immediate  re- 
sults. The  peculiarly  exhausting  conditions  under  which  the 
miner  has  to  earn  his  bread  have  compelled  him  to  plead 
more  earnestly  for  a shorter  work-day  than  perhaps  any  other 
wage  worker,  and  in  no  trade  is  the  desire  stronger  or  the 
purpose  and  determination  more  emphatic  than  among  the 
miners.  What  is  our  position  today  ? With  eagerness  we  wait 
for  the  first  of  May.  Plans  now  are  in  order  for  outlying  dis- 
tricts and  no  effort  must  be  spared,  no  sacrifice  considered  too 
great  to  establish  the  eight-hour  work  day. 

An  Official  Journal. 

The  need  of  a more  direct  means  of  communication  be- 
tween the  national  office  and  the  membership  at  large  is  deeply 
felt.  An  official  journal  devoted  entirely  to  mining  interests, 
in  which  great  questions  could  be  discussed  under  the  direc- 
tion of  your  national  officers,  would  greatly  tend  to  build  up 
organization  and  consolidate  our  forces.  Such  a journal 
would  also  become,  if  properly  conducted  and  supported,  a 
source  of  revenue  to  the  organization.  In  making  this  recom- 
mendation, I beg  to  say  that  there  is  no  desire  to  antagonize 
or  in  any  way  offer  any  opposition  to  those  labor  papers  that 
have  done  so  much  for  us  and  have  stood  us  in  good  stead. 
More  is  needed,  however,  now  than  they  can  give. 

John  B.  Rae,  President. 

President  Rae’s  address  was  well  received  and  referred  to 
the  committee  on  officers’  reports. 


One-Year-Old  United  Mine  Workers 


67 


secretary-treasurer’s  report  in  part  follows  : 

Columbus,  Ohio,  February  10,  1891. 

To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  U.  M.  W.  of  A.  : 

One  year  ago  you  did  me  the  honor  to  elect  me  to  the  office 
of  secretary -treasurer ; and  it  is  with  peculiar  feelings  of 
pleasure  that  I now  appear  before  you  to  render  an  account  of 
my  stewardship,  feeling  as  I do  that  you  will  accept  my  report, 
together  with  the  reports  of  the  executive  board  and  auditor, 
as  an  evidence  that  the  great  confidence  you  reposed  in  me 
has  been  kept  religiously  inviolate. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  make  an  elaborate  report,  apart 
from  the  financial  affairs  of  the  order,  because  the  time 
allotted  for  the  reading  of  reports  is  necessarily  brief,  and 
the  portion  I may  justly  claim  for  that  purpose  will  not 
permit  much  more  than  a thorough  account  of  the  revenues 
and  expenditures;  therefore,  whatever  recommendations  or 
suggestions  I have  to  make  will  be  peculiar  to  the  financial 
department. 

I need  not  inform  you  how  a year  ago  we  united  our 
forces,  combined  our  efforts,  and  went  forth  from  this  very 
place  with  pledges  warm  on  our  lips,  purposes  ripe  in  our 
hearts,  and  determination  in  our  lives  to  perfect  an  organ- 
ization of  our  craft  dedicated  to  the  protection  of  every  in- 
terest of  the  mine  workers.  These  pledges  did  not  dispel  all 
doubts,  and  many  were  the  hearts  that  trembled  and  feared ; 
some  lacked  the  courage  of  their  convictions;  others  feared 
the  bitter  prejudices  of  past  years  would  not  succumb  to 
the  holy  touches  and  inspiration  of  unity  consummated  here 
at  that  time ; indeed  everywhere  doubt  and  indecision  seemed 
to  show  itself,  and  in  no  case  was  there  cause  for  greater 
apprehension  than  in  the  department  committed  to  my  care. 
We  went  forth  penniless ; not  a dollar  at  our  command  to  per- 
form the  prodigious  tasks  assigned  us  as  a national  organ- 
ization ; our  faith  never  faltered,  and  every  expense  for  nearly 
one  whole  quarter  we  cheerfully  bore,  in  anticipation  of  the 
triumph  which  we  firmly  believed  would  come.  At  the  end 
of  the  first  quarter  our  hopes  were  realized.  From  the  time 
of  the  formation  of  our  union  until  December  31,  1890,  we 
have  defrayed  the  great  expenses  incident  to  the  successful 
management  of  such  an  immense  concern ; our  organizers  have 
been  sent  into  every  state  and  territory  producing  coal  in 
the  United  States;  their  voices  have  been  heard  proclaiming 
to  every  miner  the  principles  we  hold  dear;  we  have  sent 
delegates  to  the  meetings  of  the  two  great  trunks,  the  general 
bodies  of  which  we  are  a part;  we  have  conducted  several 
necessary  strikes,  securing  advances  in  many  instances,  pre- 


68 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


venting  reductions  in  others.  We  have  paid  out  to  brothers 
in  need  over  twenty  thousand  dollars,  and  have  still  nearly 
twenty  thousand  dollars  in  the  treasury  at  the  end  of  the 
year;  and  at  this,  our  first  anniversary,  we  stand  owing  no 
man  a penny.  We  are  in  a perfectly  healthy  condition,  and 
we  may  say,  practically,  that  in  six  months’  time  (while  on 
trial)  we  have  received  over  $54,000;  and  if  such  a result 
can  be  reached  in  so  short  a time  who  shall  say  our  efforts  are 
futile? 

The  union  is  a success  if  judged  by  my  department,  and 
woe  betide  the  man  or  men,  who  from  lack  of  appreciation, 
sinister  motives,  or  from  any  other  cause  shall  seek  its  dis- 
solution. 

We  are  receiving  a revenue  from  the  Shaker  Soap  firrri, 
which  can  all  be  used  in  pushing  forward  the  work  of  organ- 
izing; but,  in  this  case,  the  revenue  is  not  the  greatest  con- 
sideration, for,  by  our  agreement  with  the  firm  we  are  ex- 
emplifying the  first  great  principle  of  our  organization  co- 
operation. It  affords  me  pleasure  to  urge  this  matter  upon 
your  most  careful  attention,  as  to  me  it  is  the  first  step 
towards  that  co-operation  of  consumer  and  manufacturer 
which  is  destined  to  remove  the  unnecessary  but  costly  mid- 
dlemen, and  ultimately  abolish  the  company  stores.  As  an 
incentive  to  this  form  of  co-operation,  I recommend  that 
seventy-five  per  cent  of  the  revenues  derived  from  the  sale 
of  said  Shaker  Soap  be  sent  direct  from  the  national  office  to 
the  officers  of  the  districts  in  which  the  soap  is  being  sold; 
each  district  to  receive  the  percentage  on  its  own  sales  only. 

Official  Journal. 

I may  say  briefly  that  the  plan  I have  to  suggest,  con- 
templates a journal  to  be  run  from  the  headquarters  of  the 
national  union,  to  be  owned  and  controlled  by  its  executive 
board. 

It  has  been  my  purpose  for  nearly  a year  to  submit  for 
your  consideration  an  outline  of  a new  plan  upon  which  to 
manage  this  journal;  details  can  be  given  subsequently.  Es- 
tablish a first-class  paper,  make  it  obligatorj^  on  every  local 
to  take  and  pay  for  one  copy  per  annum;  make  a uniform 
charge  of  two  dollars  per  annum  per  copy;  leaving  it  op- 
tional with  the  members  to  subscribe  as  they  see  fit,  and  make 
provision  to  allow  one  hundred  dollars  to  each  subscriber, 
who  may  be  killed  while  following  his  actual  employment  as 
a miner;  the  amount  to  be  paid  to  anyone  designated  by  said 
subscriber.  The  advantages  of  this  plan  would  be  great  in 
many  respects ; two  in  particular,  viz. : first,  we  should  be 

able  to  reach  our  members  in  this  manner  and  educate  them 


One-Year-Old  United  Mine  Workers 


69 


up  to  the  standard  which  is  essential  to  our  success  as  an 
organized  craft;  second,  we  can  in  a small  measure  relieve 
the  awful  distress  which  almost  invariably  characterizes  the 
death  of  one  of  our  number. 

A properly  authorized  person  could  be  employed  at  every 
mine,  whose  duty  it  would  be  to  report  weekly  the  condition 
of  his  mine.  These  reports  could  be  published  weekly,  mak- 
ing a directory  of  information  to  the  mining  craft,  which 
would  be  an  invaluable  guide  to  all,  and  the  migratory  class 
in  particular. 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT. 

ReceiiHs — Genera  I Fund. 

Per  capita  tax $12,401.29 

Supplies  1,176.18 

C.  S.  & H.  R.  R.  montli’s  rent 18.00 

Shaker  Soap  Co 129.00 

Organizing  3.00 

Railroad  ticket 5.00 

■ $13,732.47 

Expenses — General  Fund. 

John  B.  Rae,  salary  and  expenses $1,861.05 

Wm.  H.  Turner,  salary  and  expenses 1,172.50 

Robert  Watchorn,  salary  and  expenses 1,507.79 

Pat.  McBryde,  salary  and  expenses 1,409.66 

John  Kane,  salary  and  expenses 340.47 

Wm.  Scaife,  salary  and  expenses 491.45 

W.  C.  Webb,  salary  and  expenses 151.07 

R.  F.  Warren,  salary  and  expenses 95.85 

George  Douglas,  salary  and  exjjenses 620.00 

P.  H.  Penna,  salary  and  expenses 20.00 

Peter  Wise,  salary  and  expenses 235.55 

David  Ross,  salary  and  expenses 118.20 

Geo.  E.  Dixon,  salary  and  expenses 208.41 

N.  R.  Hysell,  salary  and  expenses 100.00 

•John  Nugent,  salary  and  expenses 73.01 

M.  F.  Moran,  salary  and  expenses 80.95 

Ben.  Boden,  salary  and  expenses 62.39 

Ebenezer  Lewis,  salary  and  expenses 2.75 

T.  E.  Lewis,  salary  and  expenses 1.17 

District  12,  organizing 25.00 

District  17,  organizing 45.00 

John  Costello,  organizing 535.00 

OflSee  rent 174.00 

A.  F.  of  L.  charter 5.00 

Safe  for  office 200.00 

Typewriter  60.00 

Office  furniture  (desk) 34.38 

Special  tax,  K.  of  L.  and  A.  F.  of  L 1,322.30 

Wm.  B.  Wilson,  to  G.  A 79.00 

Robert  Linn,  to  G.  A 53.25 

Thos.  McQuade,  to  G.  A 67.10 

L.  M.  Beatty,  to  G.  A 78.55 

Telegrams  121.24 

Postage  321.12 


70 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


stationery  and  printing 392.49 

Office  expenses 214.83 

Express  and  freight 117.04 

Drafts  and  checks 3.25 

Gas  10.10 

Newspapers  for  office 25.70 

Suppiies  for  locals 1,165.95 

$13,602.57 

Total  receipts  general  fund $13,732.47 

Total  expenses,  general  fund 13,602.57 


Balance  on  hand  January  1,  1891 $129.90 

Receipts — Defense  fund $35,181.29 

Expenses — Defense  fund 19,967.11 


Balance — Defense  fund  on  liand  Jan.  1,  1891 $15,214.18 

Received  on  appeal  for  Punxsutawney,  Dunbar  and 

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.  miners $5,400.57 

Expended  5,013.74 


Balance  on  hand  Jan.  1,  1891.  Appeal  fund $386.83 

RECAPITULATION. 

Receipts. 

General  fund $13,732.47 

Defense  fund 35,181.29 

Appeals  5,400.57 

$54,314.33 

Expenses 

General  fund $13,602.57 

Defense  fund 19,967.11 

Appeals  5,013.74 

$38,583.42 

Balance  on  hand  January  1,  1891 $15,730.91 


The  growth  of  our  movement  has  been  phenomenal  and' 
permanent.  During  the  eleven  months  for  which  I am  re- 
porting, we  have  added  116  locals  to  our  order.  These  have 
been  organized  by  knights  of  labor  and  progressive  unionists 
almost  in  equal  numbers.  Knights  of  labor  have  organized 
open  unions,  and  progressive  members  have  organized  local 
assemblies;  showing  very  plainly  that  the  sacred  pledges  we 
gave  at  the  establishment  of  our  union  have  been  fully  kept. 

At  our  consolidation  we  had  not  quite  seventeen  thous- 
and members  in  both  unions,  sixty  per  cent  of  said  member- 
ship being  with  N.  T.  A.  135  and  forty  per  cent  with  the 
Progressive  Union.  We  have  now  a total  membership  of 
over  seventy  thousand  members,  with  less  than  twenty  mem- 
bers of  a difference  in  net  membership  in  the  two  branches. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  both  branches  have  more  than 
doubled  their  membership,  and  all  the  strength  of  the  united 


One-Year-Old  United  Mine  Workers 


71 


forces  directed  in  one  channel,  instead  of  in  opposite  direction, 
as  in  former  times.  And  now  I have  finished  the  work  you 
gave  me  to  do;  having  dilgently  endeavored  to  exercise  the 
most  impartial  duty  to  every  officer,  member,  district,  and 
local,  it  is  with  a sense  of  great  relief  that  I return  the  trust 
so  unanimously  committed  to  my  care. 

In  conclusion,  I feel  called  upon  to  refer  to  the  pleasant 
relationships  existing  on  the  National  Executive  Board,  of 
which  I am  a member  and  secretary.  Every  intricate  and 
difficult  problem  has  been  disposed  of  with  perfect  equity, 
and  at  no  time  has  there  been  manifestations  of  antagonism, 
such  as  might  have  been  expected.  The  field  work  I have 
done  has  been,  I believe,  of  much  benefit  to  the  general  good 
of  the  order;  and,  in  a large  measure,  we  are  indebted  to  the 
faithfulness  and  efficiency  of  the  Assistant-Secretary  George 
Douglas,  without  whose  cheerful,  efficient  and  invaluable  serv- 
ices we  could  scarcely  have  been  so  successful. 

With  due  thanks  to  all  whose  obedient  servant  I have 
been  for  the  year  just  ended,  and  hoping  for  increased  suc- 
cess and  prosperity, 

I am,  most  sincerely  and  fraternally  yours, 

Robert  Watchorn. 

The  following  committees  were  then  appointed: 

Committee  on  Distribution — Mose  Wolford,  Edward  Nan- 
gle,  R.  J.  West,  Samuel  Fudge,  R.  L.  Davis. 

On  Constitution — W.  B.  Wilson,  T.  A.  Bradley,  P.  H, 
Penna,  J.  P.  Jones,  R.  D.  Kerfoot,  C.  C.  Cheeny,  P.  L.  Davis, 
M.  J.  Goings. 

On  Resolutions — R.  A.  Kinsloe,  James  McBride,  John 
Nugent,  Thomas  Mittigen,  Henry  Stephenson,  R.  L.  Davis, 
Eli  Thomas. 

On  District  Boundaries — John  Kane,  Peter  Wise,  James 
O’Donnell,  William  Thoburn,  Robert  Snowball,  J.  L,  Conley, 
John  Paisley. 

On  Scale— L.  M.  Beatty,  M.  F.  Moran,  W.  C.  Webb,  C.  M. 
Parker,  Frank  Lockhart,  John  Thomas,  W.  J.  Raul,  Charles 
Wallace,  M.  J.  Purcell,  W.  H.  Cochran. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  RULES. 

We  recommend  that  the  hour  of  convening  shall  be  9 :00 
o’clock  a.  m.,  with  recess  from  12  ;00  a.  m.  to  1 :30  p.  m. ; re- 
convene at  1:30  p.  m.  and  adjourn  at  5:00  p.  m. ; that  the 
roll  call  shall  take  place  at  the  beginning  of  each  morning 


72 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


session;  that  debate  by  any  delegate  be  limited  to  seven  min- 
utes bn  any  one  subject,  unless  to  explain,  and  by  consent  of 
the  chair ; that  any  delegate  presenting  himself  on  the  floor  of 
the  convention  under  the  influence  of  drink,  shall  be  expelled 
from  the  convention  for  that  session;  that  in  all  matters  of 
parliamentary  dispute,  Cushing’s  Manual  shall  be  the  guide. 

Order  of  Business. 

1.  Officers’  reports. 

2.  Appointment  of  committees. 

3.  Committee  on  Officers’  Reports. 

4.  Committee  on  Finance. 

5.  Committee  on  Defense  Fund. 

6.  Committee  on  Reduction  in  Hours  of  Labor  and 

other  methods  of  restriction. 

7.  Committee  on  Scale  of  Prices  for  Pick  and  Machine 

Mining. 

8.  Committee  on  Constitution. 

9.  Committee  on  Resolutions. 

10.  Committee  on  Grievances. 

11.  Committee  on  Districts. 

The  committees  shall  report  in  the  order  named  above. 

P.  H.  Penna, 

John  Kane, 

James  White, 

Peter  Wise, 

J.  R.  Paisley, 

J.  P.  Jones, 

Charles  Wallace, 

Committee. 

Report  of  the  committee  adopted,  and  the  convention  ad- 
journed. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

Februaiy  11,  1891. 

President  Rae  called  the  convention  to  order. 

After  roll  call,  the  committee  on  credentials  reported  in 
favor  of  admitting  Charles  McDonald  as  a delegate,  and  the 
admission  of  John  A.  Cairns,  David  Watkins  and  Thomas 
Kersop,  to  be  admitted  to  voice  and  vote  in  the  convention, 
and  that  of  Brother  Walker,  to  be  admitted  to  a seat,  but  no 
vote. 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


73 


In  order  to  adopt  the  recommendation  of  the  committee, 
it  became  necessary  to  reconsider  the  vote  of  yesterday,  adopt- 
ing their  report,  which  was  done  and  the  recommendation  of 
the  committee  adopted. 

Mrs.  S.  W.  Smith,  of  Cincinnati,  addressed  the  convention 
on  Woman’s  Suffrage,  requesting  aid  in  securing  legislation, 
and  was  warmly  applauded.  At  the  close  of  her  address, 
Secretary  Watchorn  moved  that  the  documents  she  presented 
be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Committee  on  Resolutions,  which 
was  agreed  to. 

President  Rae  read  the  following  telegrams: 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  February  11,  1891. 
John  B.  Rae,  President  U.  M.  Workers: 

On  behalf  of  the  Chronicle  Telegraph,  I send  greetings 
to  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  convention  as- 
sembled, with  concern  for  your  prosperity. 

Harry  B.  Layton. 

On  motion  the  telegram  was  received  and  ordered  placed 
in  the  proceedings. 

New  York,  February  10,  1891. 
John  McBride,  Columbus,  Ohio: 

Having  collected  about  seven  hundred  dollars,  held  sub- 
ject to  wish  of  convention,  with  heartiest  sympathy  for  down 
trodden  miners. 

Lucian  Saniel. 

Moved,  by  Representative  Moran,  that  the  money  be  sent 
to  the  miners  of  Alabama. 

Amended,  by  Secretary  Watchorn,  that  $500  be  sent  to 
Alabama,  and  $200  to  the  men  of  Wilkensburg,  Pa.  After 
some  discussion  the  amendment  was  adopted. 

A recess  was  then  taken  until  1 :30,  to  give  the  committees 
time  to  report. 


WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Rae  called  the  convention  to  order  and  appointed 
the  following  committees : 

Officers’  Reports. — Cameron  Miller,  John  Ashworth, 
Henry  L.  Ball,  George  T.  Robinson,  Joseph  Dunkerly,  T.  J. 
Logan,  W.  F.  Ashbury. 


74 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Finance. — M.  McQuade,  Morgan  Lewis,  John  Gilmore, 
John  E.  Atkinson,  James  J.  Miskell,  W.  S.  Powell,  George 
Neider. 

Defense  Fund. — Richard  Maloney,  P.  F.  Hines,  J.  McNulty, 
James  Andrew,  J.  J.  Penrod,  J.  B.  Sherwood,  Timothy  Bowen, 
Patrick  McGucken. 

Reduction  of  the  Hours  of  Labor. — William  Hay,  J.  McCue, 
James  Flinn,  C.  D.  Armstrong,  Morgan  Green,  F.  J.  Wester- 
land,  J.  L.  Edmund,  W.  S.  Penman. 

Appeals  and  Grievances. — W.  H.  Turner,  J.  V.  Henderson, 
M.  Barrett,  William  Murray,  Thomas  M.  Davis,  George  Tay- 
lor, John  Donley. 

The  following  telegrams  were  read ; 

Gallitzin,  Pa.,  February  11,  1891.  . 

James  Killduff,  Esq.  : 

The  bill  prohibiting  company  stores  is  now  a law. 

T.  R.  Williams. 

Moved  that  the  thanks  of  this  convention  be  tendered 
Representative  Farrell,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature,  for 
framing  and  presenting  his  “Anti-Pluck-Me”  bill,  and  to  all 
those  legislators  who  have  assisted  in  the  passage  of  the 
same.  Adopted. 

New  York,  February  11,  1891. 

J.  B.  Rae,  Columbus,  Ohio : 

May  your  deliberations  bring  about  good  results,  and 
triumphantly  carry  the  eight-hour  work  day  for  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Chris  Evans, 

Secretary  American  Federation  of  Labor. 

Owing  to  the  illness  of  Representative  McNulty,  Presi- 
dent Rae  appointed  Representative  W.  H.  Sutton  to  serve  on 
the  Committee  on  Defense  fund. 

Secretary  Watchorn  stated  that  J.  J.  Jones  of  Iowa,  was 
present  and  desired  to  address  the  convention  on  a mining 
bill  before  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  applying  to  the 
mines  of  Indian  Territory,  and  moved  that  he  be  heard,  which 
was  agreed  to.  At  the  close  of  his  address,  the  president 
appointed  the  following  special  committee  to  report  on  the 
measure:  J.  W.  Killduff,  James  McBride,  J.  J.  Eddy. 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


75 


Representative  William  McDermitt  of  West  Virginia  made 
an  interesting  address  to  the  convention  on  the  necessity  for 
a more  thorough  organization  in  that  state. 

REPORT  OF  NATIONAL  AUDITOR. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  February  10,  1891. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention : 

My  report  is  not  very  elaborate,  as  everything  was  so 
nicely  prepared  that  nothing  remained  for  me  to  do,  only  to 
verify  the  correctness  of  the  accounts ; but  I wish  to  say,  that 
since  the  convention  honored  me  by  election  as  auditor  of  this 
organization,  I have  thought  that  the  resolution,  creating  the 
office  of  auditor,  also  carried  with  it  the  right  to  audit  ac- 
counts ; but  the  executive  board  has  performed  that  duty  for 
the  first  three  quarters  of  the  year,  for  which  we  now  report. 

I think  this  convention  ought  to  define  the  duties  of  that 
officer. 

The  following  will  certify  that  I have  carefully  examined 
the  books  of  the  secretary-treasurer,  and  also  the  financial 
statement.  I find  them  in  every  way  correct,  and  very  plainly 
and  neatly  kept,  and  heartily  congratulate  Secretary  Watch- 
orn  on  the  efficiency  of  himself  and  assistants. 

Fraternally, 

J.  H.  Kennedy,  Auditor. 

The  special  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  mining 
bill  for  the  Indian  Territory,  reported  as  follows : 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention ; 

We,  your  committee,  appointed  to  consider  a bill  now  pend- 
ing in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  known  as  a bill 
“for  the  protection  of  the  lives  of  miners  in  the  territories,” 
do  recommend  that  this  convention  urge  upon  our  represent- 
atives in  the  United  States  House  of  Representatives  and 
Senate,  the  justice  and  necessity  of  enacting  the  above  named 
bill  into  a law;  that  the  miners  of  the  territories  receive  the 
protection  their  dangerous  calling  requires ; and  urge  that  the 
representatives  of  the  miners  of  the  United  States  and  Terri- 
tories, in  National  Convention  Assembled,  place  their  names 
on  a petition,  asking  our  members  of  Congress  to  pass  the 
above  law  immediately. 

James  W.  Kilduff, 

John  J.  Eddy, 

James  McBride, 

Committee. 


Convention  adjourned. 


76 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


THURSDAY  MORNING  SESSION, 

February  12,  1891. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Rae.  After 
roll  call,  minutes  of  previous  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

OFFICERS’  REPORTS. 

We,  your  Committee  on  Officers’  reports,  beg  leave  to 
report  as  follows : 

That,  having  fully  examined  your  officers’  reports,  we 
find  that  nearly  all  the  reports  are  covered  by  the  different 
committees,  and  that  we  fully  indorse  and  recommend  to  the 
convention  the  adoption  of  the  same,  as  far  as  practical, 
calling  special  attention  to  the  following  points: 

1st.  The  establishment  of  an  official  journal,  to  be,  under 
the  control  of  the  National  Executive  Board. 

2nd.  The  recommendation  of  Brother  Watchorn  in  re- 
gard to  revenues  derived  from  the  Shaker  Soap  Company. 

All  of  which  we  respectfully  submit  for  your  consider- 
ation. 

Signed, 

Cameron  Millar,  W.  F.  Asbury, 

Geo.  T.  Robinson,  Joseph  Dunkerly, 

H.  L.  Ball,  T.  J.  Logan, 

Committee. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  agreed  to. 

On  the  reduction  of  hours,  the  following  resolutions  were 
adopted : 

1st.  Resolved,  That  all  miners  and  mine  laborers  in  the 
United  States  demand  the  adoption  of  the  eight  hour  law 
on  the  first  day  of  May,  1891,  that  no  miner  remain  in  the 
mine  longer  than  eight  hours,  and  that  the  system  of  making 
coal  ready  on  idle  days  be  abolished. 

2nd.  That  we  recommend  that  the  incoming  Executive 
Board  devise  ways  and  means  for  the  enforcement  of  the 
eight-hour  law. 

RESOLUTIONS  REPORTED  AND  ADOPTED. 

That  the  legislature  of  each  state  shall  be  asked  to  pass 
a law  making  it  obligatory  that  all  coal  shall  be  weighed 
before  being  screened;  That  all  miners  in  Pennsylvania  for- 
ward petitions  for  amendments  in  the  present  mining  law 
to  the  Governor  and  Mining  Commission,  and  it  is  recom- 
mended that  provisions  more  strict  be  incorporated  in  the 
law  by  which  greater  safety  is  secured. 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


77 


Resolved,  That  the  members  at  Raymond  City  shall  re- 
ceive money  from  the  defense  fund  to  which  they  are  en- 
titled, and  for  the  rest  we  institute  a voluntary  contribution, 
and  that  the  United  Mine  Workers  defend  the  law  suit  at  that 
place. 

Adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Rae  called  the  convention  to  order.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Resolutions  continued  their  report  and  resolutions  were 
adopted  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  favor  and  urge  the  passage 
of  house  bill  365,  now  before  the  Ohio  House  of  Representa- 
tives, relating  to  the  protection  of  stationary  engineers ; That 
all  districts  receiving  constitutions  of  the  organization  print 
the  same  in  connection  with  their  district  laws;  That  we 
condemn  the  use  of  all  inferior  grades  of  oil  in  our  mines, 
and  demand  that  nothing  inferior  to  lard  oil,  be  used ; That  we 
demand  the  inauguration  of  the  eight-hour  day  on  May  1, 
1891,  and  invite  all  organized  trades  to  assist  us  morally  and 
financially  in  attaining  this  end;  That  we  recommend  the 
establishing  of  an  official  journal  at  the  national  headquarters 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  the  appointing 
of  a special  committee  to  submit  a method  for  the  publica- 
tion of  the  same,  and  the  method  to  be  reported  immediately 
to  this  convention ; That  we  endorse  the  resolutions  submitted 
by  Mrs.  Walford  Smith,  in  behalf  of  the  Woman’s  Suffrage 
Association,  praying  for  amendments  to  the  constitution  of 
the  State  of  Ohio  and  other  states,  granting  female  suffrage ; 
That  for  the  better  protection  of  scale  rates  in  all  competitive 
fields,  we  most  heartily  recommend  general  suspension  at  one 
time,  at  stated  intervals,  in  the  several  fields  forming  one 
competitive  district. 

To  the  Committee  on  Resolutions : 

We,  the  delegates  representing  L.  A.  1279,  of  Coal  Valley, 
West  Virginia,  ask  the  adoption  of  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  Brother  M.  F.  Moran  should  be  aided 
financially  and  physically  to  bring  about  a better  condition  of 
organization  in  his  district.  He  is  now  doing  all  in  his  power, 
has  worked  up  a strong  feeling  in  favor  of  organization,  and 
is  taking  advantage  of  any  and  every  opportunity  to  extend 
and  encourage  that  feeling.  We  therefore  deem  it  the  bounden 
duty  of  this  convention  to  use  its  best  energies  to  aid  the 
districts  which  contain  the  most  downtrodden  of  our  craft 
to  be  found  anywhere  within  the  territory  covered  by  the 


78 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


national  district.  We  represent  over  one  thousand  miners, 
of  which  number,  perhaps  less  than  two  hundred  are  organ- 
ized, and  these  men  are  in  direct  competition  with  the  miners 
of  Clearfield  and  other  coal  fields  of  central  Pennsylvania, 
as  well  as  the  Connellsville  Coke  District.  The  companies  use 
the  slack,  for  which  they  pay  nothing,  and  convert  it  into 
coke.  Lately,  the  operators  ascertaining  that  some  efforts 
have  been  put  forth  in  the  direction  of  organization,  they 
have  reduced  the  weight  of  the  cars  about  five  bushel  per 
car,  and  are  trying  to  force  a strike  among  the  miners,  know- 
ing that  it  would  be  detrimental  to  our  interests.  We  have 
five  mines  that  we  can  control  and  have  a committee  in;  but 
the  strongest  operators  among  them  have  declared  that  they 
would  die  paupers  before  they  would  allow  committees  in 
their  mines.  The  men  are  watching  closely,  and  will  note 
the  action  of  this  convention  on  this  matter,  and  it  therefore 
behooves  each  member  of  the  convention  to  so  vote  that 
prompt  and  decisive  action  will  be  taken,  to  the  end  that 
Brother  Moran’s  district  may  have  the  financial  and  physical 
aid  requested. 

Signed, 

Joseph  J.  Miskell, 

John  L.  Edmond, 

Coal  Valley,  West  Virginia. 

The  plea  to  aid  West  Virginia  was  adopted. 

The  following  resolutions  were  also  considered  and 
adopted : 

That  in  all  states  where  no  law  is  now  on  the  statute  books 
regulating  the  matter,  efforts  should  be  made  by  the  miners 
to  have  a law  passed,  making  it  obligatory  on  ever>^  operator 
of  a gaseous  coal  mine  or  mines  to  employ  a competent  skilled 
and  experienced  person  to  examine  the  mines  each  morning, 
and  to  report  the  condition  to  the  mine  boss,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  prevent  any  person  from  entering  the  mine  until 
the  mine  boss  shall  have  reported  it  safe,  and  a fire  boss  shall 
be  placed  at  every  mine. 

Whereas,  Two  national  conventions  of  miners  and  mine 
laborers  have  recommended  the  introduction  of  a gas  test- 
ing device  and  mine  signaling  apparatus  in  all  gaseous  mines ; 
and 

Whereas,  In  the  very  recent  past,  two  local  assemblies 
attached  to  this  body  have  been  wiped  out  of  existence  by 
explosions  in  mines  caused  by  carelessness  or  inefficient 
methods,  or  apparatus,  for  determining  the  presence  of  gas; 
therefore,  be  it 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


79 


Resolved,  That  this  convention,  representing  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  miners  working  in  gaseous  mines,  do  urge  on 
the  various  State  Legislatures  the  adoption  of  some  system 
that  may  be  proven  more  effective,  and  that  it  be  made  com- 
pulsory on  all  coal  operators  to  adopt  the  same  where  the 
mines  contain  gas. 

Whereas,  The  workingmen  of  the  Connellsville  coke  region 
are  on  a strike  against  a reduction ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  endorse  the  action  of  Con- 
nellsville region  in  resisting  the  reduction ; be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  competing  districts  make  effort  to  not  send 
coke  to  parties  who  heretofore  received  coke  from  Connells- 
ville operators,  or  supply  those  operators  with  coke. 

Letters  were  read  from  Frank  A.  Brooks,  in  behalf  of  Ohio 
operators,  and  Mr.  Dempster,  operator,  from  the  Pittsburg 
district. 

After  some  discussion  on  the  weighing  of  coal  before  being 
screened,  the  meeting  adjourned. 

At  Friday’s  session,  February  13,  1891,  after  President 
Rae  had  called  the  Convention  to  order,  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  grievances  was  made  and  caused  considerable  com- 
motion. The  report  follows: 

Grievance  of  District  2 against  the  National  Officers  and 
Executive  Board : 


Columbus,  Ohio,  Feb.  9,  1891. 

To  the  Committee  on  Appeals  and  Grievances  of  U.  M.  W. 

National  Convention: 

We,  the  delegates  representing  District  2,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  charge  the  Master  Workman  and  Presi- 
dent, and  Secretary,  and  Executive  Board  of  the  National 
Union,  with  neglect  of  duty,  through  which  neglect  we  believe 
we  were  prevented  from  getting  our  just  demands. 

We  further  demand,  that  this  matter  be  brought  before 
the  National  Convention,  to  receive  its  attention  and  rest  the 
responsibility  where  it  belongs. 

Signed,  James  White,  M.  W.  and  President, 
Dan  Lennon,  Secretary, 

T.  A.  Bradley, 

M.  J.  Purcell, 

Matthew  Weeks, 

J.  V.  Henderson, 

Wm.  S.  Powell, 

Executive  Board  District  2. 


80 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Columbus,  Ohio,  February  13,  1891. 

Whereas,  A newspaper  in  Pennsylvania,  known  as  the 
“Pennsylvania  Grit,”  of  Williamsport,  through  its  Philadelphia 
correspondent  “B.  B.”  (R.  A.  Kinsloe),  now  a delegate  to  this 
Convention,  has  maliciously,  unjustly  and  dishonorably 
assailed  the  character  of  the  Master  Workman  and  President, 
and  Executive  Board  of  District  2,  and  through  the  misrepre- 
sentations of  said  correspondent  and  “Grit”  editorials,  the 
miners  of  District  2 have  iDecome  dissatisfied,  and  to  a certain 
extent  demoralized;  and. 

Whereas,  Said  correspondent  has  for  months  past  been 
retarding  the  progress  of  the  miners  of  District  2,  by  his  writ- 
ings in  above  named  paper,  which  is  still  intimidating  the 
miners,  by  its  scurrilous  attacks  on  the  miners’  officials,  and 
misrepresentations,  that  has  misled  the  public  as  to  the  true 
condition  of  mining  affairs,  and  we  believe  caused  the  miners 
of  the  District  to  be  deprived  from  receiving  an  advance  in 
mining  rates,  said  correspondent  continuously  asserting  “that 
the  miners  were  not  united,  that  the  threatened  strike  was 
only  a game  of  bluff” ; and. 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  District  2,  in  mass  meetings,  joint 
meetings,  assembly  meetings,  have  unanimously  condemned 
“Grit”  and  its  correspondent  for  their  unjust  attacks  on  the 
officials  of  District  2,  and  their  cowardly  and  un journalistic 
action  in  refusing  to  open  their  columns  to  both  sides  of  the 
controversy,  allowing  none  to  enter  their  columns  but  their 
correspondent,  “B.  B.”,  who  never  put  in  a day  in  a coal  mine 
in  his  life,  and,  practically  speaking,  knows  nothing  about  coal 
mining,  though  claiming  to  write  authoritatively  on  the  min- 
ing question  of  Central  Pennsylvania ; and. 

Whereas,  The  thousands  of  miners  of  District  2 have  con- 
demned “Grit”  and  its  correspondent ; and. 

Whereas,  The  National  Officers  have  clearly  proven  that 
they  did  not  countenance  the  “B.  B.”  articles  as  claimed  by 
“Grit,”  but  on  the  contrary,  condemned  them,  as  the  following 
letter  from  the  National  Secretary-Treasurer  vill  show; 
therefore,-  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  denounce  the  Pennsylvania 
“Grit”  and  its  correspondent,  “B.  B.,”  for  their  unjust,  coward- 
ly and  untruthful  statements  concerning  mining  affairs  in  Dis- 
trict 2. 

We,  the  Committee  on  Grievances,  having  been  put  in  pos- 
session of  the  foregoing  information,  which  was  gathered 
through  a grievance  having  been  presented  from  District  2, 
against  our  National  President  and  blaster  Workman,  after 
hearing  both  sides  of  grievance,  have  decided — and  both  par- 
ties to  the  controversy  have  likewise  agreed — that  a straight- 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


81 


forward  course  has  been  pursued  by  both  the  officers  of  Dis- 
trict 2 and  our  National  Master  Workman  and  President,  but 
that  a serious  misunderstanding  led  to  the  difficulty,  which 
misunderstanding  might  not  have  occurred  had  our  Master 
Workman  and  President  made  explanations  as  to  his  real  posi- 
tion on  the  demands  of  District  2.  The  officers  of  District  2 
believing  from  his  silence,  after  they  had  put  his  name  to 
their  scale  after  December  17th,  that  it  was  approved  by  the 
National  Executive  Board ; Brother  Rae  arguing  that  he  with- 
held saying  anything  about  the  misunderstanding,  fearing  it 
might  remove  any  possibility  there  was  of  District  2’s 
demands  being  granted;  that  on  account  of  a postponement 
being  made,  he  considered,  after  January  1st,  explanation  un- 
necessary. 

In  view  of  all  the  circumstances,  we,  the  Grievance  and 
Conference  Committee,  recommend  that,  to  place  our  National 
President  and  Master  Workman,  and  Master  Workman  and 
President  and  Executive  Board  of  District  2 in  the  right  light 
before  the  public,  this  Convention  hereby  order  the  National 
Executive  Board  to  present  the  foregoing  to  the  public  in  such 
a way  that  every  miner  in  the  Union  may  know  the  facts. 

P.  McBryde, 

T.  A.  Bradley, 

W.  H.  Turner, 

Special  Committee. 

W.  H.  Turner,  Chairman, 

John  V.  Henderson,  Secretary, 
Thomas  M.  Davis, 

Michael  Barrett, 

G.  H.  Taylor, 

William  Murray, 

Grievance  Committee. 

After  this  report,  motions  to  refer,  to  go  into  executive 
session  and  a variety  of  other  parliamentary  tactics  were 
resorted  to,  when  it  was  finally  decided  that  two  on  each  side 
should  discuss  the  grievance,  and  the  Convention  decide 
which  side  was  right. 

On  the  demand  being  made  by  Representative  Kinsloe, 
that  a specific  charge  be  made,  and  complied  with  by  Repre- 
sentative Lennon,  that  the  charge  was  defamation  of  the  char- 
acter of  Representative  White  and  officers  of  District  2,  the 
discussion  was  entered  into,  with  Representatives  White,  Len- 
non and  Killduff  as  the  complainants. 


82 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Representative  Kinsloe,  defendant,  assisted  by  Representa- 
tives Wilson  and  Paisley. 

Much  time  was  spent  in  discussing  the  grievance,  after 
which  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  emphatically  condemn  the  articles  in 
Grit  condemning  Representative. James  White  and  the  officers 
of  District  2,  as  Representative  Kinsloe  disclaims  all  knowl- 
edge and  authority  of  said  articles ; we  consider  the  charge 
against  him  not  proven. 

Convention  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION. 

Saturday,  February  14,  1891. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  with  President  Rae 
in  the  chair. 

At  the  conclusion  of  roll  call  a lively  discussion  followed 
on  the  advisability  of  having  secret  and  open  sessions,  when, 
on  a partial  report  being  made  by  the  Committee  on  Constitu- 
tion, it  was  moved  that  the  reading  of  all  sections  of  the  Con- 
stitution referring  to  the  defense  fund  be  read  before  ad- 
journment, that  the  delegates  may  be  in  a position  to  act 
intelligently  in  the  matter. 

Meeting  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Rae. 
Discussion  was  resumed  at  great  length  on  the  de- 
fense fund,  after  which  the  report  of  Committee  on  Griev- 
ances was  made,  containing  appeals  for  aid  from  the  defense 
fund  for  starving  miners  at  the  Standard  mine,  Jacksonville, 
Ohio ; Superior  mine,  Glouster,  Ohio,  and  miners  locked  out  at 
No.  8 mine.  Corning,  Ohio,  which  were,  on  motion,  referred  to 
their  respective  Districts  for  consideration  and  redress. 

The  committee  indorsed  the  action  of  the  National  Officials 
concerning  the  Irwin  strike,  believing  nothing  had  been  left 
undone  that  was  within  their  power  to  bring  about  the  desired 
end,  with  the  recommendation  that  it  be  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  incoming  board  to  receive  deserving  attention.  The 
same  course  was  pursued  that  the  board  consider  some  means 
by  which  the  operators  of  the  Westmoreland  and  Pennsylva- 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


83 


nia  Gas  Coal  Companies  be  forced  to  comply  with  the  Na- 
tional scale.  The  committee  also  reported  that  there  had  not 
been  a settlement  of  the  local  grievances  in  Streator  District, 
Illinois,  on  which  the  Streator  Sub-District  Executive  Board 
entered  a protest  at  the  convention  of  operators  and  executive 
board  of  that  District,  we  would  hereby  ask  that  the  National 
Executive  Board  be  asked  to  attend  to  it  immediately,  and  also 
that  hereafter  all  local  or  minor  prices  be  settled  at  or  before 
the  time  of  settling  the  tonnage  price,  Streator  District  12 
having  failed  to  settle  the  difficulty. 

T.  J.  Logan, 

M.  J.  Goings, 

W.  Thoburn, 

Committee. 

Recommendations  concurred  in. 


Whereas,  The  miners  of  Mine  No.  3,  at  Rendville,  Ohio, 
have  not  been  paid  for  break-throughs ; and. 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  said  mine  have  used  all  possible 
means  to  secure  pay  for  the  same ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  National  Officers  shall  use  every  effort 
to  secure  these  miners  pay  for  all  break-throughs  driven, 
which  they  are  by  all  means  entitled  to.  R.  L.  Davis. 


On  recommendation  of  the  Convention,  this  matter  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Executive  Board  for  immediate 
action. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  BOUNDARIES. 


District  1 — Anthracite  regions  of  Pennsylvania. 

District  2 — The  counties  of  Jefferson,  Clearfield,  Center, 
Indiana,  Cambria,  Blair,  Huntington  and  Bedford,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 


District 
District 
District 
District 
District  11- 
District  12- 
District  13- 
District  14- 
District  15- 
District  16- 
District  17- 
District  18- 


-Low  Grade,  Pennsylvania. 

-Coke  regions,  Pennsylvania. 

-Pittsburg  District,  Pennsylvania. 
-Ohio. 

-Indiana  and  Southwest  Kentucky. 
-Illinois. 

-Iowa. 

-Missouri  and  Kansas. 

-Colorado,  Washington  and  Territories. 
-Maryland. 

-West  Virginia. 

-Virginia. 


84 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


District  19 — Tennessee,  Eastern  and  Southeastern  Ken- 
tucky. 

District  20 — Alabama  and  Georgia. 

District  21 — Texas,  Arkansas,  Indian  Territory  and 
Mexico. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  District  2 was  by  motion 
referred  to  the  Executive  Board. 

John  Kane, 

Wm.  Thoburn, 

James  L.  Conley, 

Peter  Wise, 

James  O’Donnell, 

John  Paisley, 

Committee. 

COMMITTEE  ON  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  February  13,  1891. 

We,  your  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means,  submit  the  fol- 
lowing recommendation  for  your  earnest  consideration : 

1.  The  propriety  of  establishing  a paper,  which  shall  be 
the  official  organ  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  to 
be  published  weekly,  and  shall  be  owned  and  controlled  by  said 
miners’  organization.  We  recommend  that  said  paper  shall  be 
originated  and  set  on  foot  by  money  from  the  general  treasury 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  said  organiza- 
tion shall  purchase  type  sufficient  to  carry  on  said  business, 
and  shall  have  said  paper  printed  by  union  printers,  and  in  the 
opinion  of  your  committee,  the  price  of  the  paper  be  one  dollar 
per  annum,  and  no  benefit  be  attached  until  our  next  annual 
meeting.  Said  management  to  be  under  the  control  of  the 
National  Executive  Board. 

2.  How  said  money  shall  be  raised : We  recommend  that 
there  shall  be  a five  cent  levy  assessed  per  capita  on  all  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  and  said  money  be  sent  to 
the  general  Treasurer  and  used  directly  in  the  interest  of  said 
paper,  and  each  local  shall  subscribe  for  one  copy  of  the  paper. 

Peter  Collins, 

Wm.  G.  Miller, 
Emanuel  Dixon, 

Henry  Stephenson, 

W.  H.  Lewis, 

H.  L.  Ball, 

Committee. 

By  motion,  the  report  was  referred  to  the  incoming  Execu- 
tive Board. 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


85 


REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  SAFETY  APPLIANCES. 

We,  your  Committee  on  Mine  Disasters  and  Safety  Ap- 
pliances, recommend  that  the  legislature  of  each  State  be 
urged  to  make  a law  to  the  following  effect : 

That  a local  board  of  examiners  be  appointed  at  each 
gaseous  mine,  and  that  this  board  consist  of  two  practical 
miners,  working  at  the  said  mine,  together  with  the  mine  boss 
or  other  representative  of  the  company.  The  appointment  of 
miners  on  this  board  to  belong  to  the  majority  of  miners  at 
said  works. 

The  duty  of  said  board  to  be  the  examining  of  miners  as  to 
their  efficiency  in  the  knowledge  of  safety  lamps  and  how  to 
use  them,  especially  in  time  of  danger. 

Seeing  that  the  employing  of  unskilled  miners  in  mines 
where  firedamp  is  generated  is  detrimental  to  the  safety  of  all 
persons  employed  in  said  mines,  therefore,  we  recommend 
that  the  legislature  of  each  State  be  asked  to  pass  a law,  that 
no  person  be  employed  in  any  mine  where  safety  lamps 
are  used  without  a certificate  stating  his  efficiency  in  the 
knowledge  of  safety  lamps,  and  how  to  use  them  in  time  of 
danger,  and  that  a sufficient  quantity  of  air  shall  be  furnished 
to  remove  all  dangerous  gases  from  our  mines. 

We  also  recommend  that  there  be  created  a State  Board  of 
Examiners  in  each  District  where  at  present  none  exists, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  examine  applicants  for  mine  and  fire 
bosses  from  the  various  districts  to  which  the  board  belongs, 
and  that  the  examining  board  consist  of  one  representative  of 
the  operators,  the  district  mine  inspector,  and  one  miner,  and 
that  the  National  Executive  Board  of  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America  recommend  the  miner  named  to  the  Governor 
of  the  State  for  appointment. 

We  recommend  that  each  State  pass  a law,  making  it 
obligatory  on  the  part  of  engineers  to  have  certificates  of  com- 
petency, and  that  the  legislature  of  each  State  be  asked  to 
make  a law  to  the  following  effect : 

“That  all  operators  of  gaseous  mines  be  compelled  to  place 
Shaw’s  apparatus  in  every  mine  generating  gas,  until  the  com- 
ing of  a more  perfect  machine.” 

In  support  of  this,  your  committee  beg  to  say  that  it  is 
their  opinion  that  had  this  machine  been  in  use  in  the  Mam- 
moth mine  such  a terrible  catastrophe  as  that  which  shocked 
the  entire  world  a few  weeks  ago  would  never  have  occurred. 
Seeing  that  many  accidents  have  occurred  at  mines  where 
miners  descend  and  ascend  by  a shaft,  and  that  these  accidents 
are  due  to  the  inadequacy  of  the  mining  law  in  this  respect, 
therefore,  we,  your  committee,  recommend  that  the  legislature 


86 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


of  each  State  be  asked  to  pass  a law,  “That  all  companies  be 
compelled  to  place  a competent  person  at  the  top  and  bottom 
of  each  mine,  while  miners  are  ascending  and  descending.” 

Seeing  that  miners,  when  injured  in  or  about  the  mines, 
are  sometimes  compelled  to  remain  a long  time  at  the  surface 
before  being  conveyed  to  their  homes;  therefore,  we  recom- 
mend that  the  legislature  of  each  State  be  asked  to  pass  a law 
making  it  obligatory,  that  all  companies  be  compelled  to  keep 
at  their  works,  always  for  ready  use,  an  ambulance  wagon  and 
other  conveyances  for  conveying  injured  miners  to  their 
homes, 

Joseph  Siddon, 

Edward  N angle, 

Alexander  Caldwell, 

Isaac  Jones,  President, 

James  Small,  Secretary, 
Michael  Ratchford, 

Committee. 

On  the  adoption  of  the  report,  O’Conner  and  Robbins 
voted.  No, 

Adjourned,  to  meet  Monday  morning, 

MORNING  SESSION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  February  16,  1891. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  President  Rae,  roll 
called,  and  minutes  of  Friday  and  Saturday  sessions  read  and 
approved. 

On  the  presentation  of  mining  prices  for  Districts  5 and  6, 
action  was  deferred  until  the  Committee  on  Scale  reported. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

That  we  demand  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  Sen- 
ate of  each  State  and  Territory,  within  the  mining  districts 
of  the  United  States,  to  enact  such  law  or  laws  that  will 
require  all  coal  to  be  mined  by  weight ; and,  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  all  individuals  or  corporations  operating 
coal  mines,  be  required  by  law  to  place  weigh  scales  on  all 
tipples. 

That  the  Secretary  be  instructed  to  send  to  Lucian  Saniel 
and  the  Central  Federation  of  New  York  the  thanks  of  this 
Convention,  for  noble  words  and  substantial  proof  of  the  in- 
terest manifested  in  the  welfare  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America. 

That  all  resolutions  pertaining  to  National  organizers  be 
referred  to  the  National  Executive  Board,  for  them  to  use 
their  best  judgment  as  to  sending  organizers  to  any  district. 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


87 


That  a member  of  the  Executive  Board  of  each  district  be 
given  the  agency  of  the  National  organ,  and  accompany  the 
agency  with  a commission  as  organizer,  in  order  that  we  may 
be  able  to  reach  the  entire  mining  craft  in  the  United  States 
and  Territories,  and  use  every  effort  to  induce  all  non-union 
miners  to  join  our  ranks  and  subscribe  for  the  National  organ 
of  our  grand  organization. 

Whereas,  Convict  labor  of  the  South  has  become  a great 
factor  in  the  labor  market,  and  especially  is  this  so  of  Ala- 
bama; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  use  all  lawful  and  hon- 
orable means  within  its  power  to  bring  about  the  abolishment 
of  this  infamous  system. 

That  no  miner  or  mine  laborer  sign  any  contract,  ironclad, 
or  agreement,  without  first  being  approved  by  the  National 
Executive  Board. 

Whereas,  Unfortunate  and  regretable  differences  and  dis- 
agreements have,  from  time  to  time,  arisen  in  various  locali- 
ties, between  unions  and  assemblies  of  similar  trades  and  call- 
ings, to  the  great  detriment  and  injury,  not  alone  of  those  im- 
mediately concerned,  but  to  the  cause  of  labor  generally ; and. 

Whereas,  The  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  are  con- 
nected and  affiliated  with  both,  the  Order  of  the  Knights  of 
Labor  and  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  and  are  there- 
fore sepecially  interested  in  terminating  all  such  unseemly 
and  injurious  conflicts;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  a treaty 
or  agreement  should  be  entered  into  by  and  between  the  Order 
of  Knights  of  Labor  on  the  one  part,  and  the  American  Fed- 
eration of  Labor  on  the  other,  in  which  it  should  be  stipulated 
and  provided : 1.  That  unions  and  assemblies  working  at  the 
same  trade  or  calling,  and  who  are  attached  to  or  affiliated 
with  either  of  the  two  general  bodies,  shall  at  all  times  recog- 
nize and  respect  each  other’s  working  cards.  2.  That  all  labels 
which  are  the  property  of  either  of  the  two  general  bodies,  or 
of  any  subordinate  body  attached  to  or  affiliated  with  them, 
shall  be  recognized  and  officially  endorsed  by  the  two  general 
bodies.  3.  That  no  person  who  is  an  expelled  or  a suspended 
member  of  any  assembly  or  union  attached  to  or  affiliated  with 
one  of  the  general  bodies,  or  who  is  in  arrears  for  dues  or 
assessments,  or  in  any  way  indebted  to  such  union  or  assem- 
bly, shall  be  admitted  to  membership  in  any  union  or  assembly 
affiliated  with  'or  attached  to  the  other  general  body,  without 
the  consent,  in  writing,  of  the  union  or  assembly  to  which  he 
formerly  belonged  or  is  indebted ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  from  National  Trades  Assem- 
bly 135,  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  and 


88 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  representatives  of  this  body  to  the  American  Federation 
of  Labor,  be  and  are  hereby  requested  and  instructed  to  use 
their  utmost  endeavors  to  bring  about  a treaty  or  agreement 
on  the  basis  above  set  forth,  and  to  that  end  that  the  said 
delegates  and  representatives  introduce  resolutions  in  their 
respective  bodies  for  this  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  we  condemn  the  system  of  weighing  our 
coal  on  the  hat  or  railroad  cars,  and  that  we  demand  the 
weighing  of  our  coal  on  scales  that  have  their  bearings  above 
ground. 

Whereas,  Our  organization  has  no  definite  manner  of 
knowing  the  exact  amount  of  coal  going  into  market  and  the 
general  statistics  as  to  the  average  wages  per  man;  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  demand  that  every  check- 
weighman  be  required  to  keep  an  account  of  all  coal  mined  in 
their  respective  mines ; number  of  days  run  in  month ; num- 
ber of  hours  worked  per  day ; number  of  cars  per  man ; aver- 
age weight  per  car;  average  wages  per  man,  and  report 
monthly  to  the  secretary  of  their  district  on  blanks  furnished 
by  him  for  that  purpose  from  district  to  National  Secretary. 

Whereas,  District  13,  composed  of  the  miners  and  mine- 
laborers  within  the  limits  of  the  State  of  Iowa  have  become 
organized,  and  appeal  to  this  body  for  assistance  to  perfect 
their  efforts ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  a hearty  welcome  to  the  miners 
of  the  Hawkeye  State,  and  pledge  all  support  practicable,  with 
their  earnest  co-operation,  to  perfect  their  much  appreciated 
efforts  towards  becoming  a part  of  this  gigantic  body. 

Resolved,  That  where  it  is  proven  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
District  and  National  Executive  Boards,  that  places  which  are 
well  organized  and  discriminated  against  in  times  of  restric- 
tion, on  that  account,  the  National  Executive  Board  shall  have 
power  to  assist  them  as  their  judgment  dictates. 

On  the  adoption  of  the  aforesaid  resolutions,  the  Conven- 
tion adjourned. 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Rae,  and  the 
Executive  Board  was  empowered  to  borrow  from  the  defense 
fund  $2,500  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  for  the  enforcement 
of  scale  rates  in  the  different  competitive  fields;  said  money 
to  be  refunded  within  the  space  of  six  months. 


National  Proceedings  Continued 


89 


REPORT  OF  SCALE  COMMITTEE. 

Report  of  scale  prices  for  the  following  named  districts : 
District  15 — Referred  to  the  district. 

District  16 — Maryland  and  Meyersdale,  50  cents  per  net 
ton. 

District  17 — Kanawha  River,  75  cents  per  net  tOn. 

New  River,  50  cents  per  net  ton. 

Pomeroy,  to  be  settled  at  Pittsburg  Conven- 
tion. 

Moundsville,  West  Virginia,  80  cents  per  net 
ton. 

Flat  Top,  West  Virginia,  run  of  mine,  dSi/o 
cents  per  net  ton. 

Fairmount  District,  West  Virginia,  run  of 
mine,  50  cents  per  net  ton. 

Coal  Valley,  West  Virginia,  run  of  mine,  50 
cents  per  net  ton. 

Coal  Valley,  West  Virginia,  screened  coal,  62 
cents  per  net  ton. 

Cannelton,  West  Virginia,  Cannel  coal,  75 
cents  per  ton. 

District  19 — Run  of  mine,  65  cents  per  net  ton. 

District  20— Pratt  and  Wheeling  mines,  50  cents  per  ton. 
Blocton  coal,  5 cents  advance  on  present  prices. 

Blue  Creek,  45  cents  per  ton. 

Coalburg  (Drinking  branch),  coal  over  3 feet  6 inches,  50 
cents;  coal  over  3 feet  and  under  3 feet  6 inches,  55  cents; 
coal  under  3 feet,  60  cents.  Other  mines  at  Coalburg,  60  cents. 
Warrior,  75  cents. 

District  21 — Coalgate,  Krebs,  McAlester,  Alderson,  Harts- 
horn— Screened  coal,  4 4-5 ; run  of  mine,  3 9-10. 

Bryans — Screened  coal,  4 9-10;  run  of  mine,  3 9-10. 
Jenny  Lind,  Coalhill,  Lloydsville,  90. 

Huntington — Screened  coal,  3 9-10 ; run  of  mine,  2 9-10. 
We  recommend  that  the  prices  for  machine  mining  be  12i/^ 
cents  below  prices  paid  for  pick  mining. 

L.  M.  Beatty,  President, 

C.  M.  Parker,  Secretary, 

M.  F.  Moran, 

W.  C.  Webb, 

Frank  Lockhart, 

Charles  E.  Wallace, 

M.  J.  Purcell, 

John  Thomas, 

W.  H.  Crawford, 

Committee. 


90 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


On  motion,  the  question  was  then  taken  up  and  adopted  by 
sections;  on  machine  mining: 

Whereas,  The  price  now  paid  for  loading  coal  after  the  ma- 
chine does  not  compensate  the  loader  for  the  work  actually 
performed,  and,  owing  to  the  peculiar  character  of  the  system 
on  machine  mining,  is  detrimental  to  men  making  reasonable 
wages  who  follow  them ; and 

Whereas,  The  difference  that  now  exists  between  the  loss 
of  pick  mined  coal  and  machine  mined  coal  is  too  great, 
which  amounts  to  a discrimination  on  our  part  against  the 
pick  operators;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  that  on  and  after  May  1,  1891, 
men  loading  coal  after  the  Harrison  machine  receive  three- 
fifths  of  the  price  paid  for  coal  mined  by  the  pick  and 
five  cents  more  per  ton  for  loading  coal  after  the  Lechner  or 
Legg  machine,  and  when  men  do  their  own  drilling  five  cents 
per  ton  for  drilling  room  coal  and  seven  cents  for  drilling 
entry  coal,  and  all  other  machine  work  advanced  in  propor- 
tion. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  loading  coal  after  machines 
in  Ohio  shall  not  be  less  than  three-fifths  of  the  price  of  pick 
mining;  that  the  price  of  machine  mining  in  Illinois  be  I21/2 
cents  below  that  of  hand  mining;  that  the  price  of  machine 
mining  in  District  5 be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  incoming 
Executive  Board;  that  the  difference  between  pick  mining 
and  the  Harrison  machine  shall  be  I21/2  cents,  and  that  the 
details  be  left  to  the  State  Convention  of  Indiana. 

The  machine  question  was  well  discussed  and  resolutions 
agreed  to. 

The  amended  Constitution  in  part  follows: 
CONSTITUTION  FOR  1891. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the 
“United  Mine  Workers  of  National  District  Assemblj'  135, 
Knights  of  Labor,  and  the  National  Progressive  Union.” 

Sec.  2.  The  objects  of  this  Union  are  to  unite  mine  em- 
ployees and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  concilia- 
tion, arbitration  or  strikes. 

Sec.  3.  This  Union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its 
affiliated  bodies. 


Amended  Constitution  in  Part 


91 


ARTICLE  II. 

Officers  and  Their  Dniies. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  Union  shall  be,  one  President 
or  Master  Workman,  one  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman, 
one  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  an  Executive  Board  of  seven 
members,  three  of  whom  shall  be  the  President,  Vice-Presi- 
dent, and  Secretary-Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  at  each 
annual  convention. 

Sec.  2.  The  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  preside 
at  all  general  conventions  of  the  Union;  he  shall  sign  all 
official  documents  when  satisfied  of  their  correctness ; he  shall, 
with  the  consent  of  the  Executive  Board,  fill  by  appointment 
all  vacancies  occurring  in  the  National  offices,  and  in  like  man- 
ner is  empowered  to  suspend  or  remove  any  National  officer 
for  insubordination  or  just  and  sufficient  cause;  he  shall,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Executive  Board,  appoint  from  time  to  time 
such  organizers  and  workers  as  may  be  required;  he  shall 
devote  his  time  and  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  Union, 
and  exercise  general  supervision  of  its  workings,  either  in  the 
field  or  in  the  National  office,  as  his  judgment  dictates  or  the 
exigencies  of  the  case  require. 

Sec.  3.  The  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman  shall  act 
as  general  organizer,  and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the 
President  or  Master  Workman,  and  shall  succeed  that  officer 
in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office. 

Sec.  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of  and 
preserve  all  books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  National 
office;  shall  record  proceedings  of  all  conventions  and  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Executive  Board,  and  shall  keep  copies  of  all 
important  letters  sent  out  by  him ; he  shall  receive  and  receipt 
for  all  moneys,  pay  all  current  expenses ; he  shall  prepare  and 
submit  in  circular  form  to  the  locals  a quarterly  report  of 
all  moneys  received  and  disbursed,  and  perform  such  other 
duties  as  may  be  assigned  him ; he  shall  give  a bond  of  $5,000 
for  the  safe  keeping  of  all  moneys  entrusted  to  him,  but  shall 
not  have  more  than  $2,500  subject  to  his  order  at  any  one  time. 
All  other  funds  must  be  deposited  by  him,  subject  to  the  order 
of  the  Executive  Board. 

Sec.  5.  The  Executive  Board  shall  constitute  the  National 
Board  of  Arbitration  and  Conciliation;  shall  execute  the 
orders  of  National  Conventions,  and  between  conventions 
shall  have  full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  Union.  The 
Board  shall  be  convened  by  the  President  or  Master  Workman, 
or  by  the  Secretary-Treasurer  at  the  request  of  three  members 
of  said  Board. 


92 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ARTICLE  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  Union  shall  be  derived  from 
Local  Unions  and  Local  Assemblies,  which  shall  pay  direct  to 
the  National  Secretary-Treasurer  twenty  cents  per  month  per 
member.  Fractional  members  shall  pay  in  proportion.  Fif- 
teen cents  of  which  shall  be  set  aside  for  defense  purposes, 
which  shall  not  be  used  for  any  purpose  other  than  supporting 
members  who  may  be  locked  out  or  on  strike. 

Sec.  2.  Where  trouble  occurs  in  any  locality  between  our 
members  and  their  employers,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  dis- 
trict officers  of  the  district  in  which  such  trouble  occurs,  to 
investigate  said  trouble  immediately  and  report  at  once  to  the 
National  officers,  requesting  a decision  thereon;  and  if  the 
National  officers  fail  to  render  a decision  in  ten  days  from  date 
of  receipt  of  such  intelligence  at  the  general  office,  the  District 
President  shall  have  power  to  call  the  men  on  strike,  and  the 
members  so  involved  shall  be  entitled  to  the  stipulated  weekly 
allowance  from  said  fund. 

Sec.  3.  Every  member  in  good  standing  who  is  locked  out 
or  who  is  on  strike  and  whose  cause  has  been  approved  by 
national  officers  or  District  President  in  accordance  with 
Section  2,  shall  receive  three  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  week 
while  said  member  is  on  strike  or  locked  out,  which  pay  shall 
commence  on  the  second  week’s  idleness.  After  a strike  has 
been  inaugurated  in  accordance  with  the  above  provisions,  no 
power  shall  exist  in  National  officers  to  declare  such  strike  off, 
except  with  the  consent  of  a majority  of  the  members  in- 
volved. 

Sec.  4.  No  Local  Assembly  or  Local  Union  shall  be  enti- 
tled to  representation  in  the  National  Convention  who  have 
not  in  every  particular  complied  with  the  Constitution  of  the 
Districts  in  which  said  Local  Union  or  Local  Assembly  may 
be  located. 

Sec.  5.  Elections  of  delegates  to  the  National  Convention 
shall  take  place  not  later  than  ten  days  previous  to  the  Na- 
tional Convention,  and  the  report  of  said  election  shall  be  in 
the  hands  of  the  National  Secretary  not  later  than  five  days 
previous  to  Convention. 

Sec.  6.  The  President  and  Master  Workman  shall  appoint 
a committee  of  three,  who  shall  meet  in  the  National  office  two 
days  previous  to  the  assembling  of  the  Convention,  shall  exam- 
ine all  credentials  and  audit  all  accounts  of  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  and  report  the  result  to  the  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
do,  here  in  convention  assembled,  desire  for  the  purpose  of 
stopping  strikes  and  lock  outs,  that  our  National  Board  shall 


First  Annual  Convention  District  11 


93 


cause  to  be  introduced  into  every  State  and  United  States  Leg- 
islature, bills  for  the  creation  of  courts  of  arbitration  whereat 
we  can  have  at  any  time  the  disputes  arising  settled. 

After  the  adoption  of  this  resolution,  the  rules  were  sus- 
pended, and  the  convention  adjourned  until  7 :30  in  the  even- 
ing. 

NIGHT  SESSION. 

February  17,  1891. 

On  resuming  business  in  the  evening,  officers  were  elected 
as  follows : 

For  President  or  Master  Workman,  John  B.  Rae. 

Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman,  P.  H.  Penna. 

Secretary-Treasurer,  Patrick  McBryde. 

Executive  Board,  W.  B.  Wilson,  John  Nugent,  W.  C.  Webb, 
John  Kane. 

The  retiring  Secretary-Treasurer  was  unanimously  elected 
an  honorary  member,  as  a mark  of  esteem  and  appreciation 
of  his  efficient  and  faithful  services. 

John  B.  Rae  was  elected  President  or  Master  Workman  by 
acclamation,  as  was  also  W.  B.  Wilson  as  senior  member  of 
the  Executive  Board. 

The  recommendation  for  a ten  cents  advance  in  Iowa,  Mis- 
souri and  Kansas,  was  referred  to  the  National  Executive 
Board. 

Convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

FIRST  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  DISTRICT  NO.  11. 

The  first  annual  convention  of  District  No.  11,  of  the  Unit- 
ed Mine  Workers  of  America,  was  held  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind., 
March  3,  1891.  The  officers  elected  follow : 

Mike  Comesky,  President  or  Master  Workman;  Arthur 
Davison,  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman;  John  H.  Ken- 
nedy, Secretary-Treasurer;  Executive  Board,  Mike  Com- 
esky, Arthur  Davison,  John  H.  Kennedy,  John  Kane,  Frank 
Lockhart,  Joseph  Dunkerly,  J.  A.  Coneroy. 

Terre  Haute  was  made  headquarters  for  the  State  offcers. 

On  the  termination  of  the  joint  scale  agreement  between 
the  miners  of  District  No.  10,  of  the  National  Progressive 
Union,  and  the  operators  of  Ohio,  April  30,  1890,  together 


94 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


with  the  joint  agreement  entered  into  by  the  operators  of  the 
Pittsburg  District,  Pennsylvania,  and  District  No.  4,  of  the 
National  Progressive  Union,  ending  on  the  same  date,  the 
operators  and  miners  of  both  States  were  unable  to  agree  on 
a renewal  of  joint  contracts  for  the  following  year. 

The  failure  of  Ohio  and  the  Pennsylvania  Pittsburg  Dis- 
trict to  continue  the  joint  agreement  plan  with  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America  during  its  first  year  was  a source 
of  much  regret  because  of  the  fact  that  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania 
miners  and  operators  had  made  joint  agreements  when  Illinois 
and  Indiana  held  aloof  with  no  immediate  assurance  of  reunit- 
ing in  the  joint  methods -that  had  worked  so  well  until  the 
Mine  Workers’  division  of  forces  had  contributed  the  ground 
work  upon  which  the  operators’  refusal  was  based. 

A costly  lesson  to  miners  that  failed  to  reason  until  the 
stern  hand  of  necessity,  through  the  experimental  school,  com- 
pelled them  to  yield. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CONNELLSVILLE  COKE  STPvUGGLE. 

AN  APPEAL  TO  ORGANIZED  TRADES  AND  LABOR  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

The  following  circular  has  been  indorsed  by  the  Executive 
Council  of  the  Federation  of  Labor  and  General  Executive 
Board  of  the  Knights  of  Labor : 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  March  31,  1891. 

To  the  Organized  Trades  and  Labor  in  General  Affiliated  with 
the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  and  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Knights  of  Labor : 

Brothers:  Allow  us  to  lay  before  you  the  condition  of 

affairs  existing  in  the  Connellsville  coke  region,  in  connection 
with  the  struggle  now  in  progress  there,  between  the  mine 
operators  and  their  employes.  In  the  beginning  of  February 
we  met  the  operators  to  arrange  our  yearly  scale  of  prices,  our 
last  scale  ending  on  the  10th  of  said  month.  No  settlement 
was  reached  at  that  time,  because  of  the  depression  in  the  iron 
industry  during  the  latter  part  of  1890.  Because  of  said  de- 
pression large  stocks  of  coke  had  accumulated  in  the  market, 
and  there  being  no  immediate  demand  for  our  labor  or  its 


An  Appeal  to  American  Workmen 


95 


product,  a temporary  and  friendly  suspension  was  agreed  on, 
with  the  further  agreement  that  another  conference  should 
be  held  when  either  party  had  a proposition  to  submit. 

When  another  conference  was  asked  by  us,  as  we  had  been 
led  to  believe  was  desired  by  them,  a few  of  the  operators  met 
us  on  March  2,  but  to  our  surprise,  refused  to  organize  for  the 
transaction  of  business,  alleging  that  a 10  per  cent  reduction 
from  last  year’s  rate  of  wages  was  necessary,  and  refused  to- 
negotiate  any  settlement  except  on  that  basis.  We  could  not 
consider  this  proposition,  so  the  matter  rested  there,  with  the 
understanding  that  any  change  should  be  made  known  to  the 
proper  parties  interested. 

Notwithstanding  the  duplicity  with  which  they  had  met 
us  previously,  we  had  yet  to  witness  more  strikingly  the  ex- 
istence of  that  characteristic  in  the  coal  operators  of  the  Con- 
nellsville  coke  region  which  came  in  the  shape  of  a scale  of 
prices — not  for  one  year  as  is  our  rule,  but  for  three  years — 
being  posted  up  at  the  various  plants  in  the  dead  of  night, 
without  having  been  submitted  to  the  committee  representing 
the  miners,  or  to  the  officers  of  our  organization.  This  “scale” 
besides  calling  for  a reduction  in  wages,  although  less  than  10 
per  cent,  asks  that  the  miners  shall  agree  to  work  not  less  than 
nine  hours  per  day,  to  continue  for  three  years.  The  fight 
for  the  establishment  of  the  eight-hour  workday  is  thus  forced 
upon  us  earlier  than  we  anticipated,  and  there  is  nothing  left 
us  but  to  meet  the  issue. 

It  is  impossible  for  us  to  evade  it.  As  we  have  been  select- 
ed as  the  next  trade  to  make  the  fight  for  eight  hours,  we  are 
compelled  to  declare  that  fight  now  on,  and  the  first  battle  is 
now  raging  in  the  Connellsville  coke  region. 

As  it  is  essential  to  the  progress  of  the  “short  hour”  move- 
ment that  there  be  no  halting  or  backward  moves,  we  appeal 
to  you  for  all  the  moral  and  financial  aid  possible  to  render  us. 
Fourteen  thousand  men  have  been  idle  since  the  beginning  of 
February,  while  several  thousand  of  those  men  have  been  idle 
since  in  December,  and  the  work  had  not  been  sufficient  to 
keep  them  employed  full  time  for  months  preceding  the  shut- 
down. Thus  we  have  on  our  hands  fifty  thousand  men,  women 
and  children  to  care  for.  With  the  liberal  help  you  can  give 
us  we  feel  confident  of  being  able  to  carry  this  struggle  to  a 
successful  issue.  Knowing  that  hopes  of  the  toiling  millions 
are  involved,  we  ask  you  to  respond  with  that  promptness,  and 
liberality  commensurate  with  the  interest  at  stake.  Now  is 
the  time  for  labor  to  concentrate  its  efforts. 

With  the  miners  victorious  in  this  struggle,  the  greatest 
battle  of  the  movement  is  won. 


96 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


All  aid  (except  provisions,  which  should  be  sent  to  C.  M. 
Parker,  Scottdale,  Pa.),  should  be  sent  to  Patrick  McBryde, 
Room  53,  Clinton  Building,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Yours  fraternally, 

J.  B.  Rae, 

President  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

P.  H.  Penna, 

Vice-President  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary. 

New  York,  April  9,  1891. 

The  Executive  Council  of  the  American  Federation  of  La- 
bor, in  indorsing  the  above  appeal  to  assist  the  coke  workers 
of  Western  Pennsylvania,  most  earnestly  request  all  unions 
affiliated  to  render  all  assistance  they  can,  of  the  struggle  they 
are  now  engaged  in  against  their  employers,  whose  ulterior 
motive  seems  to  be  the  destruction  of  the  Miners’  Union,  and 
the  defeat  of  the  eight-hour  movement. 

Fraternally  yours, 

Samuel  Gompers,  President. 

Chris  Evans,  Secretary. 

MINERS’  NATIONAL  CONVENTION. 

PITTSBURG,  PENNSYLVANIA,  MONDAY,  APRIL  6,  1891. 

For  the  purpose  of  considering  matters  postponed  from 
the  convention  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  the  miners’  delegates  held 
a meeting  Monday  afternoon,  April  6. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  P.  H.  Penna,  who 
appointed  the  following  committee  on  credentials : 

John  Philipson  and  W.  C.  Pearce,  Ohio;  M.  McQuade  and 
George  Newton,  Pennsylvania;  John  Kane,  Indiana;  and  M. 
J.  Goings,  Illinois. 

After  a recess  of  thirty  minutes,  the  committee  reported 
that  the  credentials  of  sixty-one  delegates  had  been  approved. 
The  report  was  adopted  and  the  committee  continued. 

The  chairman  appointed  the  following  committee  on  or- 
der of  business ; John  P.  Jones,  Ohio;  Charles  Wallace,  Penn- 
sylvania; Frank  Lockhart,  Indiana;  W.  C.  Murray,  Illinois; 
S.  W.  Peters,  West  Virginia. 

Vice-President  John  Nugent,  of  District  6,  addressed  the 
convention  on  the  propriety  of  taking  up  the  portion  of  the 
scale  for  District  6 where  it  was  broken  off  at  the  Columbus 
convention.  Several  motions  having  been  made,  the  chairman 


PiTTSBUKG  National  Convention 


97 


of  the  committee  on  order  of  business  reported  the  commit- 
tee had  selected  the  scale  as  the  first  subject  for  discussion. 

A motion  to  allow  each  delegate  five  minutes  to  speak,  and 
only  to  speak  once,  was  carried. 

John  Kane  reported  the  status  of  affairs  in  Indiana.  He 
said  that  since  the  Columbus  convention  a bill  had  been  passed 
by  the  Indiana  Legislature  that  was  now  a law,  requiring 
coal  to  be  weighed  before  screening.  As  a result,  at  their 
late  convention,  the  Indiana  miners  only  drafted  a scale  for 
run  of  mine  coal,  although  the  scale  was  made  on  a basis  of 
75  cents.  Mr.  Kane  spoke  in  favor  of  eight  hours,  but  was 
opposed  to  making  any  concessions  for  the  purpose  of  getting 
the  operators  to  bite. 

M.  Logue,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  in  favor  of  89  cents  or  its 
equivalent,  for  run  of  mine,  eight  hours  a day  and  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  “pluck  me”  stores. 

At  this  point,  the  following  order  of  business  was  pre- 
sented by  the  committee  and  adopted : 

1.  Discussion  of  scale. 

2.  Discussion  of  eight-hour  workday. 

The  discussion  was  then  resumed.  William  Murray,  of 
Pennsylvania,  opposed  the  system  practiced  in  parts  of  West- 
ern Pennsylvania,  of  having  different  prices  for  different 
sizes  of  coal. 

A motion  to  call  the  roll  and  hear  the  reports  from  dele- 
gates was  amended  to  make  the  discussion  indiscriminate,  and 
was  carried. 

Reports  From  Delegates. 

M.  J.  Goings,  of  Illinois,  said  the  conditions  in  his  State 
were  the  same  as  at  the  time  of  the  Columbus  convention.  At 
a meeting  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  the  men  had 
expressed  themselves  in  favor  of  eight  hours,  gross  weight 
and  weekly  pay,  but  opposed  to  an  advance.  If  compelled  to, 
they  would  try  and  sell  their  labor  as  dear  as  anyone  else. 

George  Scott,  of  Shawnee,  said  there  were  a hundred  men 
idle  at  that  place,  and  those  who  are  working  are  keeping 
those  who  have  no  work.  The  men  looked  upon  eight  hours 
as  a foregone  conclusion. 


98 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Morgan  Lewis,  of  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  eight  hours,  but 
no  reduction  in  wages  of  day  men. 

M.  Gulliford,  of  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  eight  hours,  but 
would  prefer  an  advance  generally.  He  favored  both.  He 
was  opposed  to  sectional  strikes  on  any  question. 

The  discussion  was  again  interrupted  by  a motion  that 
the  convention  go  into  executive  session,  which  was  carried. 

A.  Winders,  of  Pennsylvania,  believed  eight  hours  would 
advance  the  price  of  mining.  He  was  opposed  to  the  present 
rates  for  the  year,  but  would  accept  them  on  condition  that 
the  miners  reserve  the  right  of  demanding  an  advance  during 
the  year.  Any  attempt  to  accept  present  rates,  he  thought, 
would  injure  the  price  of  mining  on  the  river  and  tend  to  dis- 
rupt the  organization. 

J.  Shaming,  of  Black  Diamond,  was  opposed  to  anything 
that  would  bring  the  miners  on  a strike,  except  the  eight  hour 
workday.  It  was  true  the  men  in  his  section  had  won  the 
last  strike.  They  had  the  victory,  but  that  was  all.  The  river 
miners  were  not  prepared  to  demand  that  coal  be  weighed  in 
the  cars. 

S.  V.  Peters,  of  West  Virginia,  said  he  had  no  instructions, 
but  was  willing  to  go  with  Ohio,  or  abide  by  the  decision  of 
the  convention. 

Eight  Honrs  in  Practice. 

Representative  Kenny  said  his  constituents  were  in  favor 
of  an  advance  and  would  put  eight  hours  into  practice  them- 
selves. 

H.  Leonard,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  in  favor  of  an  advance 
of  10  cents,  coal  weighed  in  the  car  and  eight  hours. 

Representative  Wallace,  of  Pennsylvania,  said  the  miners 
of  his  district  were  already  shipping  coal  to  the  lakes.  He 
was  in  favor  of  a half  yearly  scale  instead  of  a yearly  one.  He 
was  for  eight  hours. 

Representative  Smart,  of  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  an  eight- 
hour  day,  the  price  to  remain  as  at  present.  He  was  in  favor 
of  a yearly  scale. 

S.  Bardoe,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  in  favor  of  eight  hours 
and  the  weighing  of  coal  in  cars,  but  no  fight  over  it. 


Pittsburg  National  Convention 


99 


W.  C.  Murray,  of  Illinois,  was  in  favor  of  eight  hours  and 
opposed  to  asking  any  advance. 

George  Fletcher,  of  Mansfield,  Pa.,  was  in  favor  of  eight 
hours  and  70  cents  a ton,  run  of  mine,  as  the  price. 

W.  H.  Crawford,  of  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  eight  hours.  He 
believed  the  men  had  a reform  that  would  be  of  more  benefit 
to  them  than  an  advance. 

T.  Cole,  of  Ohio,  was  uninstructed.  If  his  constituents 
could  secure  the  weighing  of  coal  before  screening  they  would 
forego  claims  to  an  advance. 

W.  Robertson,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  for  eight  hours,  89 
cents  per  ton  for  mining,  and  the  abolition  of  the  “pluck  me” 
stores. 

Isaac  Jones,  of  Glouster,  Ohio,  favored  eight  hours  and 
three-fourths  the  price  of  pick  mining  for  machine  mining. 

J.  Jones,  of  Pennsylvania,  wanted  eight  hours  and  70 
cents,  run  of  mine,  for  mining. 

W.  E.  Farms,  of  Sand  Run,  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  eight 
hours  and  an  advance,  if  other  sections  of  the  country  could 
be  brought  up. 

Representative  Kane  offered  a motion  to  suspend  the  rules 
and  proceed  to  the  next  order  of  business,  but  it  was  lost,  be- 
ing opposed  by  John  Nugent,  who  said  it  would  prevent  a 
number  of  delegates  from  speaking,  while  others  had  been 
heard. 

All  to  Be  Heard. 

Jos.  Curran,  of  Dillonvale,  Ohio,  complained  as  to  the 
action  of  the  National  Secretary  ordering  the  men  of  that 
place  back  to  work  when  they  were  out  on  strike.  Reports 
showed  the  miners  at  Beechcliff  and  Imperial  mines,  Pennsyl- 
vania, wanted  eight  hours  and  70  cents  a ton  for  coal  in  cars. 
At  Walker’s  Mills  the  miners  wanted  31/2  cents  a bushel  for 
mining  and  eight  hours,  but  to  work  with  the  majority. 

George  Newton,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  for  eight  hours, 
and  he  believed  the  organization  should  confine  itself  to  that 
movement  up  to  May  1.  He  favored  92  cents  as  the  price  of 
mining. 

A.  Savage,  of  Pennsylvania,  wanted  eight  hours,  coal 
weighed  in  car  and  92  cents  a ton  for  mining. 


100 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


D.  McDonald  said  his  constituents  were  generally  in  favor 
of  eight  hours  and  an  advance. 

The  men  at  Troll’s  mine,  in  Ohio,  it  was  reported,  were  in 
favor  of  eight  hours  and  an  advance  of  10  cents,  but  opposed 
to  weighing  coal  before  screening.  At  Wheeling  Creek  they 
were  in  favor  of  eight  hours  and  an  advance,  but  above  all, 
eight  hours. 

M.  Collins,  of  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  eight  hours  and  weigh- 
ing coal  before  screening.  He  wanted  the  machine  question 
settled.  The  men  using  machines  at  Job’s  mine  in  Ohio 
wanted  an  advance. 

E.  Thomas,  of  Murray  City,  said  the  men  at  that  place 
using  machines  wanted  an  advance,  but  dreaded  the  fight  for 
eight  hours.  They  wanted  eight  hours,  but  nine-hour  prices. 

J.  T.  Duff,  of  Tom’s  Run,  Pa.,  was  instructed  to  vote  for 
89  cents  a ton  for  mining  and  eight  hours,  and  on  other  ques- 
tions had  discretionary  power.  The  men  at  Anderson  also 
wanted  eight  hours. 

John  Philpot,  of  Ohio,  was  for  an  advance  of  10  cents  and 
eight  hours. 

William  E.  Applegate,  of  Ohio,  was  also  for  eight  hours 
and  80  cents  per  ton  for  mining. 

William  Hodgson,  of  OJiio,  favored  75  cents  per  ton  as  the 
price  for  mining. 

Alex.  Johnson,  of  Ohio,  had  instructions  to  do  the  best  he 
could  for  his  constituents. 

The  question  of  weighing  coal  before  screening  was  then 
taken  up  and  a motion  to  lay  it  on  the  table  indefinitely  was 
defeated.  A motion  to  base  the  scale  on  run  of  mine  was 
made,  but  the  convention  decided  by  a vote  of  41  to  17  to  refer 
the  whole  matter  to  a scale  committee. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed:  John  Kane  and 
Frank  Lockhart,  of  Indiana;  James  Goings  and  George  W. 
Murray,  of  Illinois;  W.  H.  Crawford  and  J.  P.  Jones,  of  Ohio; 
C.  Wallace  and  A.  Winders,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  S.  W.  Peters, 
of  West  Virginia. 

The  convention  adjourned. 


Pittsburg  National  Convention 


101 


The  Scale  Question. 

When  the  miners  reassembled  Tuesday  morning,  the  com- 
mittee on  scale  submitted  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  mining  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
be  80  cents  and  prices  in  other  parts  of  the  competitive  field 
be  on  a relative  basis. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  mining  in  the  Pittsburg  dis- 
trict be  89  cents  for  one  and  one-half  inch  coal,  and  74  cents 
for  three-fourths  inch  coal,  and  61  cents  for  run  of  mine. 

This  was  accepted  as  a partial  report.  A motion  to  con- 
cur in  the  first  recommendation  of  the  committee  was  made 
and  an  amendment  offered  to  strike  out  the  words  “com- 
petitive field”  and  insert  “District  6”  (the  State  of  Ohio) . The 
amendment  was  carried. 

On  the  motion  as  amended  there  was  considerable  discus- 
sion as  to  the  propriety  of  deciding  the  price  of  mailing  in  the 
Hocking  Valley.  A number  of  delegates  were  of  the  opinion 
that  in  settling  the  price  of  mining  for  that  section  the  price 
in  all  parts  of  the  competitive  field  was  virtually  settled.  The 
motion  as  amended  carried. 

The  discussion  on  the  price  of  mining  in  Pennsylvania 
brought  up  the  old  question  as  to  the  differential  between  the 
Hocking  Valley  and  Western  Pennsylvania.  When  the  scale 
was  formed  in  1887  the  differential  was  11  cents  per  ton  in 
favor  of  the  Hocking  Valley.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  natural 
gas  displaced  about  20,000  tons  of  coal  a day  in  Pittsburg,  it 
was  necessary  to  reduce  the  differential  to  9 cents.  Now  the 
supply  of  natural  gas  had  considerably  decreased  and  the  local 
coal  trade  had  correspondingly  increased. 

Representative  Wallace,  of  Pennsylvania,  argued  that  while 
the  operators  of  the  western  part  of  that  State  ought  to  have 
a fair  share  in  the  markets  of  the  northwest,  the  miners  ought 
to  have  the  right  to  demand  an  increase  in  the  fall. 

Representative  Nugent,  of  Ohio,  was  opposed  to  having 
two  differentials.  As  the  operators  sought  the  differential  on 
account  of  gas,  they  ought  to  be  paid  back  in  gas. 

Representative  McLaughlin  defended  the  present  differ- 
ential. 

At  noon  the  delegates  adjourned  to  meet  with  the  oper- 
ators at  2 o’clock. 


102 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


THE  JOINT  CONVENTION. 

OPENING  OF  THE  SIXTH  ANNUAL  WAGE  CONFERENCE. 

The  sixth  annual  wage  conference  of  Ohio  and  Western 
Pennsylvania  coal  operators  and  miners  began  Tuesday, 
April  7,  1891,  at  2 p.  m.,  in  the  Allegheny  county  court  house. 
There  were  78  operators  present  and  73  delegates  from  the 
miners.  Over  35,000  miners  were  directly  represented,  while 
the  result  of  the  conference  affected  a total  of  75,000  miners. 

Alexander  Dempster,  chairman  of  the  last  convention,  pre- 
sided. In  his  opening  address,  he  said  the  occasion  was  the 
most  critical  in  the  history  of  the  coal  business,  and  the 
utmost  candor  and  wisdom  would  be  needful  to  effect  a set- 
tlement. He  believed  both  sides  would  act  conservatively. 
The  following  committee  on  credentials  was  appointed : 
Miners,  W.  C.  Pearce,  Ohio;  M.  McQuade,  Pennsylvania. 
Operators,  F.  S.  Brooks,  Ohio ; J.  Morton  Hall,  Pennsylvania. 

The  following  delegates  were  reported  and  given  seats  in 
the  convention : 

Ohio — Miners : Edmond  Thomas,  Longstreth ; George 

Scott,  J.  E.  Jenkins,  John  Nugent,  Shawnee;  W.  E.  Farms, 
Sand  Run;  S.  Wright,  Joseph  Smart,  Orbiston ; Thomas  Ken- 
ney, John  Phillipson,  Steubensville ; Morgan  Lewis,  Buchtel; 
Martin  Gulliford,  Coalton ; Thomas  Thomas,  Bridgeport ; 
Wm.  E.  Applegarth,  Maynard ; George  Wend,  Alex.  Johnson, 
Nelsonville;  Harry  Williams,  Stell;  William  Hodgson,  Can- 
nelville;  Joseph  Curran,  Dillonvale;  Wm.  Burns,  Startle; 
W.  H.  Turner,  Guernsey  Valley;  James  McKee,  Salineville; 
Thomas  Cole,  Edmund  James,  Glen  Roy;  W.  H.  Crawford, 
Brashears;  John  Banning,  New  Pittsburg;  John  P.  Jones, 
North  Lawrence;  Hugh  Lynch,  Washingtonville ; W.  C. 
Pearce,  Corning;  Charles  Call,  New  Straitsville ; Joshua 
Thomas,  Coalton;  R.  L.  Davis,  Michael  Collins,  Rendville; 
Isaac  Jones,  Glouster;  John  Fahy,  Jacksonville;  J.  A.  Ped- 
dicord,  Donald  McDonald,  Bellaire. 

Pomeroy  Division — F.  G.  Jones,  Thos.  Turnbull. 

Pennsylvania — Abram  Winders,  Finleyville;  Hugh  Leon- 
ard, Banksville;  John  Logue,  Shaner;  M.  McQuade,  D.  Mc- 
Garrey,  Chas.  E.  Wallace,  James  B.  Riley,  John  Klein,  George 
Fletcher,  Hone  Cruse,  Simon  McCafferty  and  J.  McCue,  Mans- 


Joint  Conference  with  Operators 


103 


field;  Samuel  Purdoe,  Monongahela  City;  James  Andrews, 
Imperial;  George  Newton,  Coal  Bluff;  John  Jones  and 
Samuel  Devore,  Venetia;  Joseph  Shaming,  Black  Diamond; 
William  Murray,  Gastonville;  James  McFarland,  Beach  Cliff; 
William  T,  Duff,  Federal;  Adam  Fose,  Leesdale;  Andrew 
Savage,  Charters  Valley;  William  Robertson,  Idlewood; 
James  McGrogan,  Walkers  Mills;  James  Newman,  Guffys 
Station;  W.  X.  Thomas,  Irwin  Station;  John  Dunn,  Cherry 
Mine;  William  Lloyd,  Sawmill  Run;  Thomas  Swillcon,  Ros- 
coe;  Michael  Horn,  Woodville;  Patrick  Halloran,  Bower- 
hill;  W.  R.  Lightburn,  Buena  Vista;  and  John  M.  Goldrich, 
Snowden. 

Illinois — Geo.  W.  Murray,  Canton;  M.  J.  Goings,  Spring- 
field. 

Indiana — John  Kane,  Frank  Lockhart. 

West  Virginia — S.  W.  Peters,  Moundsville. 

Kansas — P.  H.  O’Donnell,  Weir  City. 

The  operators  represented  were: 

Ohio — E.  L.  Sternberger,  Ade  Coal  Company;  H.  S.  Wil- 
liard.  Center  Valley  Coal  Company;  W.  S.  Heatherington, 
Belmont  Coal  Company ; F.  B.  Chapman,  Chapman  Coal  Com- 
pany; C.  A.  Smith,  Carbondale  Coal  Company;  W.  S.  Court- 
right,  Courtright,  Kistler  & Co. ; W.  E.  C.  Coxe  and  V.  Fergu- 
son, Columbus  and  Hocking  Coal  and  Iron  Company;  J.  D. 
Hurd  and  M.  E.  Shaeffer,  Consolidated  Coal  and  Mining  Com- 
pany; S.  H.  Graves,  Chicago  and  Ohio  Coal  and  Car  Com- 
pany; B.  J.  Malone,  Chartiers  Oak  Fuel  Company;  Coleridge 
Salt  Company;  J.  E.  Jones,  Emma  Coal  Company;  H.  S.  Wil- 
liard,  Franklin  Coal  Company,  Fluhart  Coal  Company,  Hurd 
Coal  Company;  J.  E.  Jones,  Globe  Iron  Company;  J.  Mor- 
row, Hippell  Coal  Company;  B.  J.  Malone,  Coke,  Coal,  Salt 
and  Manufacturing  Company;  Juhling  Coal  Company,  D.  S. 
Lewis  & Co.,  Peacock  Coal  Company,  Pearce  Bros.  & Co., 
Syracuse  Coal  and  Salt  Company,  and  John  E.  Williams  & Co. ; 
E.  T.  Jones,  Jones  Coal  Company;  M.  Morgan,  Jones,  Morgan 
& Co.;  T.  A.  Jones,  Jackson  Hill  Coal  Company;  John  Bus- 
tard, Jefferson  Coal  and  Iron  Company;  L.  D.  Lampman, 
Juniper  Bros.  & Lampman;  J.  A.  Murphy,  Lucy  Coal  Com- 
pany; C.  Morris  and  G.  W.  Brashears,  Morris  Coal  Company; 


104 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


F.  Williams,  Morgan  Gorall,  Moses  Morgan,  Northern  Coal 
Company;  Ceorge  Hall,  Nelsonville  Coal  Exchange;  D.  Pat- 
terson, Thomas  Johnson,  New  Pittsburg  Coal  Company;  T. 
A.  Jones,  Ohio  Coal  Company;  Oscar  Townsend,  A.  J.  Boggs, 
Pittsburg  & Wheeling  Coal  Company ; C.  L.  Poston,  C.  L.  Pos- 
ton & Co. ; L.  Rochershaushen,  Pittsburg  Coal  Company ; W. 
P.  Rend,  W.  P.  Rend  & Co.;  Samuel  Raybould,  Raybould 
Bros. ; W.  L.  Caten,  Southern  Ohio  Coal  & Iron  Company ; 
Morrison  Foster,  Stripped  Vein  Coal  Company;  Ceorge  W. 
McCook,  Steubenville  Coal  and  Mining  Company ; Moses  Mor- 
gan, Standard  Coal  Company;  A.  L.  Hart,  Cedalia  Coal  Com- 
pany; R.  M.  Stalter,  Stalter,  Devore  & Co.;  J.  S.  Martin, 
Sandy  Creek  Coal  Company;  H.  L.  Chapman,  Tropic  Iron 
Company ; S.  J.  Patterson,  Tom  Corwin  Coal  Company ; A.  J. 
Boggs,  Tuscarawas  Valley  Coal  Company;  T.  J.  Morgan, 
Wellston  Coal  Company;  Walter  Upson,  Upson  Coal  Com- 
pany; H.  S.  Wallace,  Willard  Coal  Company;  J.  S.  Wallace, 
Wallace  & Brooks;  Wainwright,  Wheeling  and  Lake  Erie  Coal 
Company. 

Pennsylvania — F.  Armstrong,  Armstrong  & Co. ; D.  I\I. 
Anderson,  Anderson  & Co.;  U.  A.  Andrews,  Imperial  Coal 
Company;  J.  T.  Armstrong,  Mansfield  Coke  and  Coal  Com- 
pany; James  Blythe,  Blythe  & Co.;  William  Beadling,  Bead- 
ling  Bros. ; Alexander  Dempster,  Monongahela  and  Peters 
Creek  Cas  and  Coal  Company;  J.  C.  Dyser,  Chartiers  Block 
Coal  Company;  Henry  Florsheim,  Union  Valley  Mines;  J. 
Morton  Hall,  Pittsburg  and  Chicago  Cas  and  Coal  Company; 
R.  H.  Lattimer,  Yough  Slope  Cas  and  Coal  Company;  W.  C. 
O’Neill,  O’Neill  & Patterson;  Alexander  Patterson,  Patter- 
son & Sauters;  F.  B.  Robbins,  Robbins  Coal  Company  and 
Midway  Company;  F.  L.  Robbins,  Pittsburg  Consolidated 
Coal  Company,  Willow  Crove  Coal  Company  and  Shaner  Cas 
Company  and  First  Pool  Monongahela  Mining  and  Coal  Com- 
pany; J.  M.  Risher,  J.  M.  Risher  & Co.;  D.  Reisinger,  W.  J. 
Scully,  Monongahela  and  Peters  Creeks  Cas  Company; 
Ceorge  Schleuderberg,  Oak  Ridge  Coal  Company;  J.  D.  Sau- 
ters, Sauters  & Co. ; N.  T.  Sanford,  Sanford  & Co. ; Jesse 
Sandford,  Thomas  Taylor,  Black  Diamond  Coal  Company. 
President  J.  B.  Rae,  Vice-President  P.  H.  Penna  and  the 


Joint  Conference  with  Operators 


105 


entire  Executive  Board  of  the  U.  M.  W.  of  A.  were  in  attend- 
ance. Alexander  Dempster,  operator,  of  Pittsburg,  was 
unanimously  re-elected  president  of  the  conference.  Patrick 
McBryde,  miner,  W.  C.  Pearce,  miner,  J.  Morton  Hall, 
operator,  and  F.  S.  Brooks,  operator,  were  elected  secretaries. 
The  following  scale  committee  was  chosen : Ohio  miners,  J.  P. 
Jones,  W.  H.  Crawford;  Pennsylvania  miners,  Abram  Win- 
ders, C.  E.  Wallace;  Ohio  operators,  H.  S.  Willard,  C.  Morris; 
Pennsylvania  operators,  George  W.  Schleuderberg,  J.  C. 
Dyser. 

The  conference  adjourned  to  meet  at  9:30  Wednesday 
morning,  to  allow  the  committee  time  to  report. 

When  the  joint  meeting  adjourned.  President  Rae  called 
upon  the  miners’  delegates  to  remain. 

The  discussion  on  the  price  of  mining  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania was  resumed.  Abram  Winders  moved  that  the  differen- 
tial be  increased  one  cent. 

President  Jones,  in  a very  careful  and  well  delivered 
speech,  argued  in  favor  of  an  increase  of  the  differential  to  12 
cents  per  ton  between  Ohio  and  Western  Pennsylvania. 

Secretary  McBryde  advised  the  delegates  to  let  well  enough 
alone. 

Vice-President  Nugent,  of  Ohio,  was  in  favor  of  a greater 
differential. 

No  decision  was  reached  when  the  convention  adjourned, 
to  meet  the  operators. 

EIGHT-HOUR  QUESTION. 

MINERS  FORCE  ITS  CONSIDERATION  AS  OF  FIRST  IMPORTANCE. 

The  Wednesday  morning  session  was  called  to  order  at 
9:30. 

Mr.  Schleuderberg,  of  the  scale  committee,  reported  that 
the  committee  had  agreed  on  the  scale  base  of  last  year,  Hock- 
ing 60  cents  and  Pittsburg  69  cents  per  ton. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted  by  the  follow- 
ing vote: 


106 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


No.  Yes. 


Ohio  miners  4 

Ohio  operators  4 

Pennsylvania  miners 4 

Pennsylvania  operators  4 

Total 4 12 


The  chairman  declared  the  motion  carried  and  asked  what 
was  the  further  wish  of  the  convention. 

After  some  discussion  of  the  scale,  President  Rea  informed 
the  convention  it  was  necessary  that  the  question  of  a shorter 
working  day  be  discussed,  as  the  miners  looked  upon  eight 
hours  as  paramount  to  all  other  questions  and  would  refuse  to 
take  up  anything  until  that  question  was  settled.  The  oper- 
ators asked  for  a recess,  which  was  granted.  When  the  con- 
vention convened,  Hon.  Morrison  Foster  moved  that  the  rules 
be  suspended  and  that  the  convention  go  into  a committee  of 
the  whole  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  eight-hour  ques- 
tion. The  motion  was  carried. 

President  Rae  was  called  to  the  chair.  On  a motion  by  A. 
Dempster,  speeches  were  limited  to  thirty  minutes. 

Vice-President  Penna  said : 

It  devolves  upon  us  to  state  our  posiiton  as  we  introduced 
the  question  this  morning,  so  I will  state  briefly  the  grounds 
we  have  for  asking  an  eight-hour  day.  Among  other  state- 
ments, Mr.  Penna  gave  an  account  of  the  workings  of  the 
eight-hour  workday  in  older  countries  that  had  reduced  the 
hours  of  labor  from  fourteen  to  six  hours  per  day  in  many 
branches  of  industry;  that  the  agitation  had  come  to  be 
respected  throughout  the  world,  but  more  so  since  1885,  when 
it  became  more  prominently  before  the  public.  He  said  the 
carpenters  had  been  selected  by  the  American  Federation  of 
Labor  to  make  the  first  fight,  and  had  succeeded  in  establish- 
ing it  in  their  craft;  that  the  American  Federation  of  Labor, 
representing  the  trade  unions,  had  designated  the  miners  to 
be  the  next  to  engraft  the  movement,  but  at  the  date  set  the 
miners  were  not  in  a condition  to  ask  for  eight  hours,  having 
made  contracts  with  the  operators  that  they  felt  in  duty  bound 
to  respect,  and  because  of  this  let  the  matter  drop  for  another 
year.  He  further  said  that  when  the  Federation  met  at  De- 
troit, Michigan,  in  December  last,  they  re-affirmed  the  conclu- 
sion that  we  should  demand  eight  hours,  and,  to  the  extent  that 
they  had  the  power  to  do  so,  ordered  us  to  make  the  demand 
at  this  time.  We  make  this  demand,  gentlemen,  open  and 


Joint  Conference  with  Operators 


107 


above  board.  We  want  to  be  plain  with  you,  so  that  there  may 
be  no  misunderstanding.  We  intend  to  enforce  the  eight 
hours  by  refusing  to  work  longer.  But  with  all  this,  we  want 
the  same  good  feeling  that  has  always  existed  since  the  forma- 
tion of  this  inter-state  agreement  to  continue.  The  eight-hour 
day  is  destined  soon  to  sweep  the  world.  It  is  no  sentiment, 
but  a plain  business  proposition,  and  there  can  be  no  disad- 
vantage to  the  operators  if  they  will  but  adapt  their  business 
to  the  new  system. 

In  a prolonged  discussion  on  the  adoption  of  the  eight- 
hour  work;  day,  the  miners  took  the  position  that  all  other 
questions  were  secondary  in  effect,  including  a joint  scale  of 
prices  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  miners’  advocates  for  the  shorter  workday  included 
Master  Workman  or  President  John  B.  Rae,  Worthy  Foreman 
or  Vice-President  P.  H.  Penna,  Secretary  Patrick  McBryde, 
W.  E.  Farms,  George  Scott,  J.  P.  Jones  and  others,  all  taking 
the  position  that  a less  number  of  hours  in  the  mines  would 
increase  efficiency  and  enable  miners  to  produce  a greater 
quantity  of  coal  proportionately  than  under  the  long  hours’ 
rule,  and  that  as  a result  no  loss  would  be  sustained  by  the 
operators  in  putting  into  practice  the  eight-hour  day. 

Operators  F.  L.  Robbins,  W.  P.  Rend,  J.  Morton  Hall,  H. 
L.  Chapman,  David  Patterson,  Alexander  Patterson,  Oscar 
Townsend  and  J.  S.  Morton,  in  opposing  the  miners’  proposi- 
tion, declared  “that  heretofore  they  had  only  been  called  upon 
to  consider  wages”;  “that  to  split  on  this  question  the  inter- 
state agreement  is  at  an  end” ; “that  the  most  prosperous  man 
is  the  one  who  works  ten  hours  a day” ; “that  idleness  is  pro- 
ductive of  evil,”  etc. 

The  operators’  line  of  arguments  sometimes  created 
amusement  on  the  part  of  miners’  delegates,  but  after  three 
days’  discussion  the  question  became  more  serious,  resulting 
as  follows : When  the  convention  re-assembled  Thursday 

afternoon.  Secretary  Robbins,  of  the  committee  on  hours  of 
labor,  arose  and  said : “The  operators  authorize  me  to  say 

that  the  committee  was  unable  to  come  to  any  agreement.” 

Mr.  Chapman,  an  operator,  moved  that  the  report  be 
received  and  adopted  and  that  the  committee  be  discharged. 
The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted. 


108 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


President  Rae,  of  the  U.  M.  W.  of  A.,  said:  “It  has  been 
suggested  to  me  that  I make  a brief  statement  as  to  the  posi- 
tion the  miners  occupy  on  the  statements  and  propositions 
upon  which  they  have  based  their  demands.  Questions  were 
put  to  us  as  to  whether  eight  hours’  work  meant  ten  hours’ 
pay.  We  stated  in  the  committee  that  we  were  not  authorized 
to  answer,  as  that  was  a matter  for  the  wage  conference.  We, 
the  miners,  decided  positively  that  eight  hours  should  consti- 
tute a day’s  work  for  the  day  and  night  men  alike.” 

Mr.  Morton,  the  Ohio  operator,  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee, replied  as  follows:  “We,  representing  the  operators, 

felt  that  we  could  not  recognize  the  position  or  propositions 
of  the  miners,  and  consequently  I move  that,  as  we  have 
nothing  to  do,  we  adjourn  sine  die.” 

The  Miners’  Dema/nds. 

When  the  inter-state  meeting  adjourned  sine  die  the 
miners’  convention  reconvened.  The  delegates  were  of  the 
opinion  that  the  time  was  past  for  talking,  and,  with  the  in- 
domitable conviction  that  their  cause  is  just,  considered  plans 
to  defend  and  uphold  their  principles  against  the  power  of  the 
operators.  The  following  resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  miners  of  the  competitive  fields  demand 
an  advance  for  pick  mining  equivalent  to  an  advance  of  10 
cents  per  ton  in  the  Hocking  field,  on  a basis  of  an  eight-hour 
working  day. 

Resolved,  That  no  place  shall  resume  operations  until  all 
have  received  the  advance,  or  until  ordered  by  the  National 
Executive  Board. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

There  was  an  understanding  that  the  National  executive 
Board  will  form  a council,  consisting  of  the  president  of  each 
district,  to  assist  them  in  conducting  the  eight-hour  campaign. 


District  17  Convention,  April,  1891 


109 


FIRST  ANNUAL  CONVENTION 

OF  DISTRICT  NO.  17,  U.  M.  W OF  A.,  AT  CHARLESTON,  W.  VA., 
APRIL  14,  15,  1891. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  Tuesday,  at  1 p.  m., 
by  President  M.  F.  Moran.  The  following  committee  on  cre- 
dentials was  appointed:  Robert  Rodocker,  Moundsville;  M. 

L.  Miller,  Keeney  Creek;  W.  F.  Ashbury,  Raymond  City; 
James  Quillian,  Coal  Valley. 

The  committee  reported  the  following  delegates  entitled 
to  seats  in  the  convention:  M.  F.  Moran,  Wheeling;  H.  M. 

Smith,  Pocahontas;  Henry  Stephenson,  C.  H.  Jones,  Coal- 
burg;  Edward  Breakwell,  Paint  Creek;  Patrick  McGuicken, 
Plymouth;  George  Keeney,  Dry  Branch;  Thomas  Griffiths, 
Cedar  Grove;  William  Sneede,  Kellys  Creek;  Wm.  Crow, 
Central;  A.  J.  Moore,  Catawba;  Samuel  C.  Harliss,  Hand- 
ley;  C.  C.  Woods,  J.  L.  Edmonds,  Coal  Valley;  James  A.  Ho- 
gan, James  Quillan,  Union  Mines;  J.  D.  Thomas,  Black  Dia- 
mond; Robert  Rodocker,  Moundsville;  Wm.  Sarge,  Isadore 
Huch,  Wheeling;  A.  Wiseman,  East  Bank;  M.  L.  Miller,  Nut- 
talburg;  W.  F.  Asbury,  Raymond  City;  James  Leonard, 
Poca;  W.  D.  Kissinger,  Rivesville ; Patrick  F.  McAuley,  Wini- 
frede  Mines. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  received  and  the  com- 
mittee continued. 

The  president  appointed  the  following  committees : 

Rules  and  order  of  business — James  Leonard,  S.  C.  Har- 
liss, Thomas  Griffiths,  J.  L.  Edmonds,  William  Sarge. 

Resolutions — William  Sneede,  James  A.  Hogan,  W.  F. 
Asbury,  George  Keeney. 

Constitution — Thomas  Griffiths,  H.  M.  Smith,  Isadore 
Huch,  Patrick  McGuickin. 

Grievances — A.  J.  Moore,  Edward  Breakwell,  J.  D. 
Thomas. 

Auditing — C.  H.  Jones,  William  Kissinger,  C.  C.  Woods, 
A.  Wiseman. 

The  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  recom- 
mended the  following: 

First — That  the  hour  of  convening  shall  be  8:30  o’clock 
a.  m.,  with  recess  from  12  m.  to  1 p.  m.,  reconvening  at 


110 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


1 p.  m.,  and  adjourning  at  5:30  p.  m.  That  in  all  matters  of 
parliamentary  dispute,  Cushing’s  Manual  shall  be  the  guide. 

President  Moran  made  a verbal  report  of  the  condition  of 
the  District,  and  the  report  was  accepted.  Vice-President 
H.  M.  Smith  also  made  a verbal  report.  The  Secretary- 
Treasurer’s  report  was  as  follows: 

Fellow  Craftsmen : In  accordance  with  constitutional  pro- 
visions, I hereby  submit  my  first  annual  report  of  moneys 
received  and  disbursed  during  the  year  beginning  April  1, 
1890,  and  ending  March  30,  1891. 

Those  of  you  who  were  present  at  the  organization  of  this 
District,  are  well  aware  that  I positively  refused  to  be  a can- 
didate for  this  office,  yet  scarcely  had  the  representatives  ar- 
rived at  their  respective  homes  before  there  was  dissatisfac- 
tion between  the  officers  then  elected  to  serve  you  during  the 
present  term.  Your  president  will,  I presume,  inform  you  why 
he  declared  the  office  of  secretary-treasurer  vacant,  and  se- 
lected your  humble  servant  to  fill  the  unexpired  term.  Knowing 
the  deplorable  condition  of  affairs  prevailing  in  our  district,  I 
reluctantly  took  charge  of  the  office,  and  at  once  began  cor- 
respondence with  the  locals,  and  in  a short  time  the  per  capita 
tax  came  to  the  office  when  due.  It  is,  therefore,  with  a sense 
of  relief,  that  I now  have  the  privilege  of  returning  to  you  the 
office  which  was  so  unexpectedly  committed  to  my  charge,  be- 
lieving that  you  will  agree  with  me,  that  I have  discharged 
the  duties  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  with  the  resources  at  my 
command.  Thanking  your  worthy  president  for  the  honor 
bestowed,  I am 

Very  respectfully, 

Henry  Stephenson, 

Secretary-Treasurer. 

FINANCIAL  REPORT — INCOME. 

Receipts  from  March,  1S90,  to  November,  1890. 


From  Robert  Watchorn  $105.00 

Locals  to  President  Moran 242.56 

Locals  to  Secretary-Treasurer 152.50 


Total $500.06 


EXPENDITTTRES. 


Paid  to  President  Moran .$467.76 

Henry  Stephenson  17.28 


485.04 


Cash  on  hand  November  1,  1890 


$ 15.02 


District  17  Convention,  April,  1891 


111 


INCOME.  < 


Cash  on  hand  November  1,  1890 $ 15.02 

Receipts  for  November,  1890 82.95 

December,  1890  76.62 

January,  1891  99.30 

February,  1891  78.20 

March,  1891  134.50 


Total  $486.59 


EXPENDITURES. 


M.  F.  Moran,  President $375.22 

P.  F.  McAuley,  M.  E.  B 2.30 

H.  Stephenson,  Secretary-Treasurer 95.07 

Patrick  McBryde,  Seal 4.00 

J.  L.  Edmonds 10.00 


Total  $486.59 

Receipts  on  Appeal,  Casli $ 48.21 


Paid  William  Prescott,  Elm  Grove $ 12.00 

Paid  J.  H.  Ritter,  Monongah 36.00 

Postage  .21 


Total  $ 48.21 


The  report  was  received  and  referred  to  the  proper  com- 
mittee. The  report  of  auditing  committee  was  as  follows: 

We,  your  committee  being  appointed  to  audit  the  books  of 
the  secretary-treasurer,  Henry  Stephenson,  beg  leave  to  report 
that  we  have  examined  the  accounts  and  find  the  report  cor- 
rect in  every  particular. 

A special  committee  of  four  was  appointed  to  draft  suit- 
able resolutions  in  regard  to  the  killing  of  brother  miners  in 
the  coke  region.  The  chair  appointed  the  following  commit- 
tee : James  Leonard,  J.  L.  Edmonds,  Thomas  Griffiths  and 

H.  M.  Smith. 

The  committee  submitted  the  following  resolutions,  which 
were  adopted  and  a copy  ordered  sent  to  Secretary  Parker,  of 
District  No.  4,  Pennsylvania: 

It  is  with  profound  regret  we  have  learned  of  the  awful 
death  of  our  brethren  at  Morewood,  in  the  coke  regions  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  were  unmercifully  shot  to  death  by  mali- 
cious deputies.  Therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  officers  and  members  of  District  17, 
in  convention  assembled,  condemn  the  action  of  said  deputies 
as  outrageous  in  the  extreme  and  outside  the  pale  of  any  law. 


112 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


either  human  or  Divine,  and  merits  the  condemnation  of  all 
law-abiding  citizens  of  this  great  Republic.. 

Resolved,  That  we  hereby  pledge  our  moral  and  financial 
aid  to  bring  the  perpetrators  of  the  crime  to  justice. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  do  hereby  tender  to  the 
bereaved  families  and  friends  of  the  deceased  brothers  our 
heartfelt  sympathy,  hoping  that  they  will  trust  in  God  to  sus- 
tain them  in  their  bereavement  and  loss. 

The  committee  on  constitution  reported  amendments  as 
they  now  appear  in  the  constitution.  Their  report  was  re- 
ceived and  adopted. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  committee  on  scale 
prices:  Patrick  McGuicken,  William  Sneede,  Robert  Ro- 

docker,  H.  M.  Smith,  M.  L.  Miles,  and  requested  the  repre- 
sentatives to  state  to  the  convention  the  condition  of  affairs 
at  their  respective  mines.  After  all  had  been  heard,  the 
convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY’S  SESSIONS. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  Wednesday  morning. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following, 
which  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  all  union  men  be  requested  not  to  sign 
any  petition  for  the  appointment  of  any  person  to  any  state 
or  county  office  except  said  person  be  a union  man. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  of  this  district  be  requested 
to  at  once  call  a mass  meeting  at  Raymond  City,  and  if 
possible  have  one  of  the  national  officers  address  the  meet- 
ing. 

Resolved,  By  the  miners  of  Raymond  City  that  we  tender 
our  sincere  thanks  to  the  United  Mine  Workers  assembled 
in  national  convention,  at  Columbus,  in  pledging  to  us  their 
moral  and  fianancial  support  in  defense  of  our  just  rights. 
The  convention  took  a recess  for  one  hour  to  give  the  com- 
mittees time  to  complete  their  reports. 

At  the  close  of  the  recess  the  committee  on  scale  reported 
prices  per  net  ton  run  of  mine  as  follows : 

Wheeling  district,  50  cents;  Fairmont  district,  50  cents; 
Flat  Top  district,  43i/o  cents;  New  River  district,  50  cents; 
Coal  Valley  (gas),  50  cents;  Cannelton,  90  cents;  Kanawha 
district,  60  cents, 


National  Eight-Hour  Advice 


113 


The  report  was  received  and  adopted.  At  the  afternoon 
session,  the  following  telegram  was  read : 

Fall  Mills,  Va.,  April  15,1891. 

M.  F.  Moran,  Charleston,  W.  Va. : 

Operators  are  fixing  a scheme  to  offset  the  Screen  Law. 
Come  at  once.  Wm.  Warburton. 

The  telegram  was  received  and  filed.  The  chair  appointed 
a special  committee  on  scale  for  day  laborers  as  follows: 
Patrick  McGuicken,  Robert  Rodocker,  Wm.  Crow. 

The  following  resolution  was  presented  and  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  secretary  ignore  all  ap- 
peals for  their  services  from  locals  which  are  not  square  on 
the  district  secretary-treasurer’s  books.  Signed  by  C.  E. 
Woods,  Wm.  Kissinger  and  C.  H.  Jones. 

L.  A.  1279,  Coal  Valley,  W.  Va.,  having  been,  through 
Brother  James  Miskell,  who  was  instrumental  in  securing 
the  passage  of  important  measures  at  the  late  session  of  the 
legislature,  at  a heavy  expense,  the  convention,  therefore, 
decided  to  ask  all  locals  to  forward  to  the  district  secretary  ^ 
at  least  $1  each,  to  be  forwarded  to  Local  Association  1279, 
to  partially  reimburse  them  for  the  heavy  outlay  entailed. 

The  committee  on  day  scale  reported  the  following: 

That  day  labor  now  receiving  less  than  $1.75  per  day  be 
given  an  advance  of  15  cents  per  day  and  drivers  15  cents 
per  day  over  present  prices.  P.  McGuicken,  William  Crow 
and  Robert  Rodocker.  committee.  The  report  was  adopted. 

The  following  indorsements  and  thanks  were  adopted: 

To  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  District  No.  1-7,  Greeting: 

We,  the  representatives  in  convention  assembled,  do  most 
heartily  endorse  the  action  of  Raymond  City  and  Cambers 
mines  on  Moores  creek  in  their  struggle  for  their  just  rights, 
and  appeal  to  local  unions  and  assemblies  requesting  them  to 
aid  our  brothers  financially,  and 

We,  hereby  return  thanks  to  Capital  City  Assembly  No. 
6194  for  the  use  of  their  hall  during  our  stay  in  the  city. 

It  was  decided  that  when  the  secretary  should  do  any  field 
work  he  should  receive  the  same  pay  as  a member  of  executive 
board. 


114 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  convention  decided  to  vote  for  three  members  of  the 
executive  board,  the  candidates  receiving  the  highest  number 
of  votes  to  be  declared  elected. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  by  acclamation : 
President  or  master  workman,  M.  F.  Moran;  vice-presi- 
dent or  worthy  foreman,  John  L.  Edmunds;  secretary-treas- 
urer, Henry  Stephenson. 

Executive  Board : Thomas  Burdett,  Maybeury ; Edward 
Nangle,  Moundsville;  Thomas  Farry,  Coalburg. 

Hon.  G.  P.  Simpson,  attorney  of  Raymond  city  miners, 
made  his  appearance  and  was  introduced  by  President  Moran 
to  the  convention.  Mr.  Simpson  addressed  the  convention, 
giving  a review  of  the  eviction  cases  now  pending  before  the 
courts  of  West  Virginia  against  Raymond  City  miners. 

The  convention  extended  a vote  of  thanks  to  Messrs.  G.  P. 
Simpson  and  J.  B.  Manasher  for  their  efforts  in  our  behalf, 
and  then  adjourned  to  meet  in  Charleston  on  the  second  Tues- 
day in  April,  1892. 

OFFICIAL  CIRCULAR  ON  EIGHT-HOUR  WORKDAY. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  17,  1891. 

To  the  Miners  and  Mine  Laborers  of  the  United  States  and 
Territories,  Fellow- Workers,  Greeting: 

F or  years  the  miners  of  the  country  have  been  urging  upon 
their  leaders  the  necessity  of  taking  steps  to  have  the  eight- 
hour  workday  established.  The  division  that  existed  in  our 
ranks  previous  to  1890  made  impossible  any  forward  move- 
ment in  that  direction.  With  the  birth  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  came  the  cry  for  a shorter  working  day.  The  exist- 
ence of  contracts  with  operators  who  had,  since  the  inception 
of  the  joint  movement,  worked  harmoniously  with  their  work- 
men; together  with  the  fact  that  the  American  Federation  of 
Labor  had  named  the  Brotherhood  of  Carpenters  as  the  first 
trade  to  take  the  initiatory  steps  to  inaugurate  the  march  for 
shorter  hours,  rendered  it  necessary  for  your  executive  board 
to  postpone  the  date  for  putting  the  eight-hour  day  into 
practice  for  one  year. 

The  convention  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  held 
in  Detroit  last  December,  responsive  to  your  demands,  and  at 
the  request  of  your  delegates,  named  the  miners  as  the  trade 
to  move  for  the  shorter  working  day  on  May  1,  1891. 


National  Eight-Hour  Advice 


115 


The  general  assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  at  its  con- 
vention at  Atlanta,  pledged  itself  to  render  every  assistance 
to  the  trade  named  by  the  Federation  to  make  the  eight-hour 
fight.  This  pledge  of  assistance  from  the  Knights  of  Labor 
was  emphasized  by  the  declaration  of  Brother  Wright,  of  the 
General  Executive  Board,  at  our  convention  held  in  this  city, 
February  10.  He  said : ‘T  stand  here  to  assure  you  that  the 
Knights  of  Labor  are  with  your  organization  in  all  its  under- 
takings.” Having  secured  the  sanction  of  the  two  large  bodies 
to  which  we  are  affiliated,  the  convention  instructed  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Board  to  take  such  steps  as  they  deemed  best 
to  inaugurate  the  eight-hour  working  day  on  May  1. 

True  to  the  conservative  prinicples  of  the  organization  the 
executive  board  endeavored  to  have  the  change  of  hours  made 
with  as  little  friction  as  possible,  and  in  a manner  that  would 
command  the  least  opposition  from  the  operators.  At  the 
late  convention  of  operators  and  miners,  held  in  the  city  of 
Pittsburg,  the  miners  sought,  by  making  every  concession 
consistent  with  honor  to  secure  an  agreement  with  the  oper- 
ators^ of  Ohio  and  Western  Pennsylvania,  to  have  the  eight- 
hour  working  day  established  in  the  districts  named.  This 
was  done  because  the  operators  had  been  working  in  harmony 
with  their  workmen  for  the  last  five  years,  and  had  a right 
to  more  consideration  at  our  hands  than  those  who  have  at 
all  times  been  hostile  to  our  movements.  The  adjournment  of 
the  convention  sine  die  leaves  us  without  any  contract  to 
hamper  our  movements,  and  for  the  first  time  the  miners  are 
free  to  enter  into  a struggle  on  behalf  of  a prinicple  that  is 
held  by  many  to  be  paramount  to  all  other  questions. 

As  a strike  of  the  miners  for  an  eight-hour  day  will  neces- 
sarily force  a stoppage  of  works  in  all  industries  connected 
therewith,  causing  idleness  to  workmen  and  entailing  an  in- 
calculable loss  to  the  business  interests  of  the  country,  we  feel 
the  gravity  of  the  situation  to  be  such  as  to  require  at  our 
hands  a statement  as  to  the  justness  of  our  demands. 

We  might,  in  a lengthy  argument,  go  into  the  production 
of  coal  in  the  various  states,  showing  the  number  of  hours 
necessary  to  produce  sufficient  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
the  trade,  but  one  example  will  suffice.  We  take  the  following 
extract  from  the  advance  sheets  of  the  report  of  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Labor  for  the  State  of  Ohio.  As  the  returns  are 
taken  from  the  reports  made  out  by  the  operators  we  do  not 
think  their  authenticity  will  be  questioned. 

The  returns  show  the  average  number  of  tons  per  miner 
is  592.  The  number  of  days  worked,  201.  At  no  time  during 
the  past  ten  years  have  miners  and  operators  enjoyed  a more 
prosperous  year  and  it  may  well  be  said  that  the  coal  trade. 


116 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


so  far  as  it  relates  to  Ohio,  experienced  a genuine  boom  from 
May  1,  1889,  to  May  1,  1890.  A careful  examination  of  the 
figures  will  show  that  in  a boom  year  the  miners  were  idle 
112  days.  As  it  is  well  known  that  the  idle  time  was  not 
confined  to  the  winter  months  the  statement  effectually  an- 
swers the  operators’  claims  that  they  are  unable  to  grant  the 
eight-hour  day,  owing  to  the  fact  that  they  ship  most  of  their 
coal  by  lake  during  a few  months  of  the  year.  Again,  the 
entire  coal  consumed  this  “prosperous”  year  could  have  been 
produced  by  the  miners  working  only  eight  hours  on  the  days 
the  mines  were  actually  in  operation.  The  results  obtained 
from  these  returns  will  apply  with  very  little  alteration  to 
every  coal-producing  state  in  the  Union.  When  the  coal  opera- 
tors, therefore  object  to  an  eight-hour  working  day  they 
simply  desire  to  stop  the  wheels  of  progress,  and  not  that  they 
have  any  substantial  reason  for  doing  so. 

The  failure  of  the  miners  and  operators  of  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania  to  agree  make  possible  a national  movement  for 
the  establishment  of  the  eight-hour  day.  While  the  organiza- 
tion is  opposed  to  strike  unless  as  a last  resort,  at  the  present 
time  we  see  no  way  to  avoid  the  conflict.  In  calling  on  you, 
the  miners  and  mine  laborers  of  the  country,  to  lay  down  your 
picks  and  demand  an  eight-hour  working  day  on  May  1,  we  but 
carry  out  your  instructions.  If  you  are  faithful  to  the  pledges 
given,  the  conflict  will  be  decisive  and  victory  will  perch  on 
your  banner  with  the  establishment  of  an  eight-hour  working 
day.  An  era  of  peace  and  prosperity  will  dawn  on  the  craft, 
beneficial  alike  to  employer  and  employed.  It  may  be  that 
some  are  inclined  to  doubt  the  wisdom  of  incorporating  the 
demand  for  an  advance  price  in  mining  rates  for  the  reason 
that  it  might  tend  to  cripple  the  possibilities  of  obtaining  the 
short  workday.  We  have  always  held  that  it  is  inimical 
to  our  interests  to  make  demands  that  would  not  stand  the 
crucial  test  of  examination. 

From  the  most  reliable  source  (the  Black  Diamond  and 
Coal  Trade)  the  selling  price  of  coal  increased  15  to  20  cents 
per  ton  over  that  of  1889.  There  was  also  an  increased 
volume  of  the  coal  business  throughout  the  United  States. 

And  now,  fellow-craftsmen,  for  years  we  have  been  buoyed 
with  the  promises  of  a national  movement;  time  and  again 
have  our  hopes  been  shattered  by  disappointment,  stayed  be- 
cause of  the  inopportuneness  of  the  occasion.  We  have  de- 
ferred and  delayed  until  now  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  we 
stand  by  each  other.  Events  have  demonstrated  the  impro- 
priety of  sectional  strikes  and  furnish  arguments  at  once 
eloquent  and  convincing  that  no  matter  where  located,  our 
interests  are  identical  and  must  be  protected  as  such.  While 


District  12  Convention,  April,  1891 


117 


we  deplore  the  pending  and  apparently  inevitable  crisis  that 
threatens  to  prostrate  the  business  interests  of  the  land,  we 
have  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  it  is  none  of  our  seek- 
ing. We  have  made  all  reasonable  concessions  in  the  interest 
of  peace  and  harmony. 

J.  B.  Rae,  President, 

John  P.  Jones, 

Patrick  McBryde, 

John  Nugent, 

Committee. 


CHAPTER  V. 

ILLINOIS  MINERS’  CONVENTION,  1891. 

The  mine  workers  of  district  12  met  in  convention  at 
Springfield,  111.,  on  Thursday,  April  23,  1891.  The  sessions 
were  held  in  the  State  House.  District  President  M.  J.  Goings 
was  in  the  chair  and  Secretary  Eben  Howells  was  at  his  post. 
There  was  a very  full  representation  from  all  parts  of  the 
state,  the  southern  fields  being  especially  well  represented. 
The  delegates  were:  Alex.  Morton,  Braceville;  William  Cun- 
ningham, Central  City;  Edward  McGlennon,  John  McGurk, 
George  S.  Davis,  Springfield;  Mike  Salmon,  Colfax;  John  E. 
Riley,  Braidwood ; Charles  Carroll,  Sorrenton ; J.  R.  Edwards, 
Sparta;  R.  Cook,  Barclay;  James  Baker,  William  Gardner, 
LaSalle;  H.  Hill,  Beard’s  Shaft;  J.  S.  Eubanks,  Taylorville; 
M.  P.  Morris,  Kingston  Mines;  W.  C.  Parsons,  Spalding; 
Stephen  Bowen,  St.  Davids;  Samuel  Johnson,  Oglesby;  Joseph 
Manuel,  Grape  Creek;  Daniel  McBryde,  John  Miller,  Spring 
Valley;  William  Hood,  Dawson;  John  Jasper,  DuQuoin;  John 
Patton,  Gardner;  G.  T.  Scott,  Centralia;  James  McBurney, 
Edinburg;  Samuel  Skelton,  Coal  City;  William  Tinman,  Dia- 
mond; J.  L.  Parsons,  Riverton;  Isaac  G.  Clark,  Lincoln;  Jacob 
Graham,  Potstown  and  Edwards;  James  Johnson,  Peoria; 
George  W.  Murray,  Middlegrove ; Eugene  Zeller,  Athens ; Rob- 
ert Baxter,  Seatonville. 

When  the  reports  of  delegates  were  received  they  were 
found  to  be  unanimous  in  favor  of  the  eight-hour  day,  to  make 


118 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  demand  May  1,  and  for  the  same  scale  of  prices  now  in 
existence.  The  following  committees  were  appointed : 

Legislation — Alex.  Morton,  Samuel  Johnson,  J.  C.  Parsons, 
William  Gardner,  George  L.  Scott,  George  W.  Murray. 

Resolutions — William  Tinman,  Ed  McGlennon,  John  Jas- 
per, Stephen  Bowen,  James  Baker,  J.  Riley,  Joseph  Manuel. 
D.  McBride. 

Scale — Samuel  Skelton,  J.  R.  Edwards,  R.  Cook,  John 
Miller,  Jacob  Graham,  John  Patton. 

The  following  was  adopted  unanimously : 

Whereas,  The  importance  and  advantage  of  the  Bureau  of 
Labor  Statistics  as  a department  in  our  State  Government  is 
a fact  self-evident  to  all  students  of  the  state’s  industrial 
resources,  and 

Whereas,  The  number  of  printed  volumes  of  the  labor  re- 
ports are  decidedly  inadequate  for  the  demands  for  the  same, 
and 

Whereas,  Hon.  Edmund  O’Connell  has  introduced  a bill 
in  the  House  of  the  Thirty-seventh  General  Assembly,  num- 
bered 580,  and  which  provides  for  an  increase  in  the  volume 
of  labor  reports  from  3,500  to  5,000,  and  therefore  increase 
the  opportunities  of  the  people  for  educated  industrial 
thought;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  cheerfully  indorse  said  bill  and  urge 
upon  our  own  legislative  committee  to  work  to  the  verj^  best 
of  their  ability  for  the  passage  of  such  measure  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  presented  the  following, 
which  were  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  great  demand  of  wage  workers  who  are 
anxious  for  just  share  in  the  advantages  of  improved  methods 
of  production  is  that  calling  for  a reduction  in  the  hours  of 
labor;  and 

Whereas,  It  has  been  decided  upon  that  the  miners  of  the 
United  States  shall  be  supported  in  their  demands  for  an 
eight-hour  day  and  that  said  working  time  shall  be  made 
uniform;  and, 

V/hereas,  The  coal  mining  industry  is  one  complicated  and 
much  aggravated  by  reason  of  numerous  inequalities  and 
therefore  requiring  thought  and  conservatism  in  all  proposed 
systems  and  changes ; therefore,  be  it 


District  12  Convention,  1891 


119 


Resolved,  That  we  shall  strive  to  the  best  of  our  ability 
to  secure  the  eight-hour  day  and  that  such  demand  be  pre- 
sented to  our  employers  with  prices  to  be  made  relatively  fair 
with  the  different  important  coal  fields  of  our  state  and  the 
general  district  of  which  we  are  a part. 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  an  amicable  adjustment  of  our 
differences  with  our  employers  as  against  strikes  and  trust 
that  our  interests  may  be  harmonized  to  the  adoption  of  the 
eight-hour  workday. 

That  the  matter  of  prices  as  applying  to  Southern  Illinois, 
be  referred  in  its  entirety  to  the  National  Executive  Board 
as  a subject  proper  for  them  to  consider  and  adjust. 

That  in  the  event  of  serious  differences  occurring  between 
operators  and  miners  in  this  state  upon  the  questions  of  hours 
and  prices,  we  are  in  favor  of  referring  the  same  to  a 
joint  board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation  to  be  mutually 
agreed  upon,  that  troubles  or  suspension  of  work  may  be 
averted. 

Whereas,  The  37th  General  Assembly  have  enacted  into 
a law  a weekly  pay  bill,  and 

Whereas,  We  believe  this  creditable  action  entirely  due  to 
the  persistent  efforts  of  our  friends  and  others  favorable  to 
labor  legislation ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  heartfelt  thanks  of  this  convention  are 
extended  to  the  gentlemen  whose  industry  secured  its  passage 
and  to  his  excellency,  the  governor,  for  indorsing  the  same 
by  his  signature.  We  hope  the  efforts  of  our  friends  in  the 
House  and  Senate  will  be  equally  successful  in  securing  the 
passage  of  the  gross-weight  bill,  the  anti-truck  bill,  the  bill 
to  create  an  additional  inspection  district,  the  bill  to  provide 
for  the  examination  of  mine  bosses  and  managers,  together 
with  such  other  pending  legislation  as  will  protect  life  and 
improve  the  condition  of  our  craftsmen. 

Whereas,  An  effort  is  being  made  to  induce  miners  to  sign 
contracts  for  a year  with  a proviso  for  monthly  pays  con- 
trary to  the  law  enacted  upon  that  subject;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  no  miner  sign  a contract  with  a provision 
in  it  waiving  the  weekly  pay  law. 

By  invitation.  Senator  Caldwell  addressed  the  miners  on 
the  subject  of  the  gross-weight  bill,  and  expressed  himself 
in  favor  of  any  legislation  that  would  be  just  to  the  miners. 
The  committee  will,  on  consultation,  inform  him  just  what 
legislation  the  miners  desire  on  the  subject.  A vote  of  thanks 
was  tendered  him  and  other  legislators  who  have  supported 
the  labor  bills. 


120 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Considerable  correspondence  that  the  secretary  had  had 
with  the  operators  was  read,  some  of  them  refusing  to  attend 
another  joint  meeting. 

The  convention  met  on  Friday  at  10  o’clock.  There  were 
only  a few  small  operators  present  and  an  adjournment  was 
taken  to  2 p.  m.  to  await  the  arrival  of  other  operators,  but 
none  appeared.  A resolution  was  adopted  to  stand  by  the 
action  of  the  Pittsburg  convention  for  eight  hours  and  an  ad- 
vance of  10  cents,  and  left  the  matter  of  a suspension  on  May 
1 to  the  discretion  of  the  National  Executive  Board. 

The  district  executive  board  then  met  the  operators  on  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  railroad  and  effected  a satis- 
factory settlement  of  wages  for  day  men.  The  terms  are ; 


Drillers  and  Blasters $2.50 

Powder  Chargers 2.25 

Loaders  2.00 


These  terms  will  apply  to  eight  hours  if  the  eight-hour  day 
becomes  universal.  Wages  of  other  day  men  remain  the 
same. 

ILLINOIS  WEEKLY  PAY  LAW. 

Notwithstanding  the  vigorous  protest  of  the  operators,  the 
legislature  of  Illinois  passed  the  weekly  pay  bill.  Only  one 
member  of  the  house  voted  against  it.  The  following  is  the 
full  text  of  the  law: 

An  act  to  provide  for  the  weekly  payment  of  wages  by 
corporations : 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  represented  in  the  General  Assembly:  That  every 

manufacturing,  mining,  quarrying,  lumbering,  mercantile, 
street,  electric  and  elevated  railway,  steamboat,  telegraph, 
telephone,  and  municipal  corporation,  and  every  incorporated 
express  company  and  water  company,  shall  pay  weekly  each 
and  every  employe  engaged  in  business,  the  wages  earned  by 
such  employe  to  within  six  days  of  the  date  of  such  payment. 
Provided,  however,  that  if  at  any  time  of  payment  any  em- 
ploye shall  be  absent  from  his  regular  place  of  labor  he  shall 
be  entitled  to  said  payment  at  any  time  thereafter  upon  de- 
mand. 

Sec.  2.*  Any  corporation  violating  any  of  the  provisions 
of  this  act  shall  be  liable  to  a penalty  not  exceeding  $50  and 
not  less  than  $10  for  each  violation,  to  be  paid  to  the  people 


Illinois  Weekly  Pay  Law 


121 


of  the  state  and  which  may  be  recovered  in  a civil  action,  pro- 
vided an  action  for  such  violation  is  commenced  within  thirty 
days  from  the  date  thereof;  any  person  may  bring  an  action 
in  the  name  of  the  people  of  the  state  as  plaintiff  against  any 
corporation  which  neglects  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of 
this  act  for  a period  of  two  weeks  after  having  been  notified 
in  writing  by  such  person  that  such  action  will  be  brought. 
On  the  trial  of  such  action  such  corporation  shall  not  be 
allowed  to  set  up  any  defense  for  a failure  to  pay  weekly  any 
employe  engaged  in  its  business  the  wages  earned  by  such 
employe  to  within  six  days  of  the  date  of  such  payment,  other 
than  a valid  assignment  of  such  wages,  or  a valid  set-off 
against  the  same,  or  the  absence  of  such  employe  from  his 
regular  place  of  labor  at  the  time  of  payment,  or  an  actual 
tender  to  such  employe  at  the  time  of  payment  of  the  wages 
so  earned  by  him,  or  a breach  of  contract  by  such  employe  or 
a denial  of  the  employment.  No  assignment  of  future  wages 
payable  weekly  under  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  be  valid 
if  made  to  the  corporation  from  whom  such  wages  are  to 
become  due,  or  to  any  person  on  behalf  of  such  corporation, 
or  if  made  or  procured  to  be  made  to  any  person  for  the  pur- 
pose of  relieving  such  corporation  from  the  obligations  to  pay 
weekly  under  the  provisions  of  this  act.  Nor  shall  any  of 
said  corporations  require  any  agreement  from  any  employe 
to  accept  wages  at  any  other  periods  than  as  provided  in  Sec- 
tion 1 of  this  act,  as  a condition  of  employment. 

Sec.  3.  The  penalties  herein  provided  may  be  recovered 
in  any  court  having  civil  jurisdiction  by  such  in  the  name  of 
the  person  bringing  the  same. 

Passed  by  Thirty-seventh  General  Assembly,  1891. 

OUR  ORGANIZATION. 

EXCERPTS  OF  THOUGHTS  EXPRESSED  BY  PRESIDENT  W.  S.  SCOTT, 
IN  THE  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS’  JOURNAL,  APRIL  23,  1891. 

After  a ten  days’  trip  among  the  mining  camps  of  Iowa,  I 
am  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  organization  among  the 
miners,  writes  W.  S.  Scott,  president  of  District  13,  of  the 
U.  M.  W.  of  A.  I am  more  than  ever  of  the  opinion  that  the 
men  who  go  down  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth  to  engage  in 
the  arduous  work  of  coal  mining  do  not  receive  a fair  and  just 
compensation  for  their  labor.  , 

Organizations,  or  unions,  are  for  the  benefit  of  those  who 
are  dissatisfied  with  the  conditions  under  which  they  exist. 
Union  of  crafts,  or  trades,  is  for  the  purpose  of  benefiting 
those  who  unite  or  come  together.  If  the  coal  miners  of  Iowa 
are  rendering  labor  for  which  they  do  not  receive  just  com- 


122 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


pensation,  then  they  should  unite  or  organize  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  a wage  that  will  compensate  them  for  the  work 
they  perform. 

Whenever  any  craft  or  trade  wish  to  secure  any  benefit 
either  through  legislation  or  by  a concession  on  the  part  of 
those  who  employ  them,  they  must  first  unite  their  strength 
by  systematic  organization  and  then  perfect  their  plans  of 
procedure  before  they  can  hope  or  expect  to  accomplish  any 
good  results. 

If  the  miners  of  Iowa  expect  to  secure  any  benefits  for 
themselves,  the  sooner  they  organize  just  that  much  sooner 
will  they  be  benefited.  Our  organization  declares  in  unmis- 
takable terms  for  an  eight-hour  day  for  all  miners  and  mine 
laborers.  We  firmly  believe  that  eight  consecutive  hours  is 
long  enough  for  a miner  to  work  at  any  one  time  in  order  to 
secure  a living  for  himself  and  family.  We  believe  there  is 
nothing  we  stand  so  much  in  need  of  as  education  upon  the 
great  questions  that  affect  capital  and  labor.  And  so  believ- 
ing, we  favor  a reduction  of  hours  from  ten  to  eight  for  a 
day’s  work,  thereby  adding  two  hours  for  study  each  day. 

I believe  there  never  was  a time  in  the  history  of  our  coun- 
try when  it  was  so  easy  for  the  laboring  people  to  organize 
into  their  respective  trade  unions  as  now. 

All  over  the  coal  fields  of  Iowa  the  men  are  rallying  to  the 
cause  of  organization.  Everywhere  I have  held  meetings  the 
men  have  organized  without  a single  exception.  Others  are 
inquiring  after  the  objects  of  our  order  and  how  we  purpose 
to  benefit  the  laboring  men.  We  purpose  to  benefit  them  by 
securing  a shorter  day’s  work,  by  having  semi-monthly  pay- 
ments of  wages,  by  securing  better  ventilation,  by  having  all 
coal  weighed  before  screening,  by  abolishing  the  truck  stores 
and  by  better  education  among  the  miners,  and  by  better 
legislation  generally.  Does  that  suit  you,  brother  miner?  If 
so,  then  your  place  is  in  the  organization. 

The  noble  sentiments  quoted  express  the  well  matured 
thoughts  of  a soul  full  of  zeal  for  the  reformation  of  Mine 
Workers  everywhere. 

TO  THE  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

REASONS  GIVEN  FOR  DEFERRING  THE  MOVEMENT  FOR  EIGHT 

HOURS. 

A meeting  of  the  National  Executive  Board  and  Presidents 
of  Districts  2,  A,  4,  5,  6,  12,  and  the  Secretary  of  17,  was  held 
at  the  national  office,  Columbus,  Ohio,  April  25  and  27,  1891. 


Eight-Hour  Deferment  Explained 


123 


President  Rae,  in  opening  the  meeting,  stated  the  reason  they 
were  called  together  was  that  at  the  convention  in  Pittsburg 
the  Executive  Board  pledged  themselves  if  they  required  any 
counsel  in  regard  to  the  eight-hour  movement,  to  call  in  the 
presidents  of  the  several  districts,  as  they  all  knew  the  move 
was  to  be  a national  one.  In  several  parts  of  the  country  inde- 
pendent action  was  taken,  and  West  Virginia  miners,  who  are 
active  competitors  with  their  brothers  in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
Indiana  and  Illinois,  are  not  prepared  to  move,  and  have  so 
decided  in  convention.  At  New  Straitsville,  Ohio,  the  miners 
have  seen  fit  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  their  employers 
to  work  at  present  prices  and  hours  for  the  next  year.  This 
action  has  a demoralizing  effect  on  many  places  in  the  Hock- 
ing Valley,  and  while  the  men  would  obey  an  order  to  quit 
work,  the  board  thought  it  right  to  call  in  the  presidents,  that 
the  true  situation  would  be  known,  and  the  organization  en- 
abled to  act  in  the  best  interests  of  the  miners  of  the  country. 

President  McLaughlin  reported  that  while  the  organized 
men  on  the  Monongahela  would  be  willing  to  move,  he  did  not 
think  the  unorganized  would,  as  they  considered  they  were 
not  a part  of  the  competitive  field.  The  railroad  miners  were 
still  in  favor  of  an  advance  of  10  cents  and  an  eight-hour 
working  day.  He  thought  it  more  than  probable  that  the 
miners  of  the  railroad  mines  would  strike  on  May  1 for  the 
advance. 

President  White  stated  that  with  the  exception  of  one 
place  the  miners  of  District  2 would  move  for  an  eight-hour 
day  if  so  ordered. 

President  Paisley  said  the  men  of  District  A were  prac- 
tically unanimous  in  favor  of  eight  hours. 

Vice-President  Nugent  said  the  action  of  New  Straitsville 
miners  had  practically  tied  their  hands  in  Ohio.  Reports  from 
other  places  showed  that  the  miners  were  opposed  to  taking 
action  on  the  eight  hours  at  the  present  time. 

Secretary  Stephenson  said  West  Virginia  was  against  tak- 
ing action  at  the  present  time,  as  the  organization  was  not 
strong  enough  to  control  the  men.  On  that  account  he  was 
opposed  to  a national  movement  at  present. 


124 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


President  Webb  reported  that  Kentucky  and  Tennessee 
had  not  many  men  organized.  Those  that  were,  had  signed  an 
agreement  for  one  year,  the  operators  agreeing  to  give  the 
eight  hours  when  the  others  were  in  line. 

President  Wilson  said  there  was  not  one  local  in  his  dis- 
trict in  favor  of  the  movement.  He  read  a letter  from 
Reynoldsville,  showing  the  miners  opposed  to  the  movement 
until  they  had  redressed  other  grievances. 

President  Wise  said  they  all  knew  the  coke  region  was  on 
strike.  He  did  not  desire  to  hamper  any  district,  but  wanted 
the  fight  in  the  coke  regions  to  be  won  if  possible. 

A general  discussion  was  entered  into,  but  owing  to  the 
absence  of  the  presidents  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  definite 
action  was  postponed  until  Monday  morning,  telegrams  being 
sent  to  those  gentlemen  to  come  to  Columbus. 

MONDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

The  meeting  reconvened  Monday  morning.  President  Go- 
ings, of  Illinois,  was  present,  and  reported  that  the  convention 
held  last  week  was  the  most  representative  ever  held  in  the 
state,  the  southern  part  being  much  better  represented  than 
heretofore.  Staunton,  Mount  Olive,  Connellsville  and  Pana 
had  no  delegates  present,  these  being  the  places  that  supplied 
the  markets  of  Chicago  and  the  Northwest  during  the  strike 
of  miners  of  Northern  Illinois  in  1889.  President  Goings 
being  informed  of  the  exact  condition  of  affairs,  declared  him- 
self opposed  to  a national  movement  at  this  time. 

It  was  moved  and  seconded  that  the  eight-hour  movement 
be  deferred  for  the  time  being  and  that  the  time  for  action  be 
left  in  the  hands  of  the  National  Executive  Board  and  the 
presidents  of  the  various  districts  and  that  a committee  be 
appointed  to  draft  an  address  to  the  miners  of  the  countiy, 
stating  the  reasons  why  action  was  deferred. 

On  a yea  and  nay  vote,  the  following  voted  yea:  J.  P. 
Jones,  W.  C.  Pearce,  W.  B.  Wilson,  P.  Wise,  John  Kane,  J. 
Nugent,  James  White,  P.  McBryde,  M.  J.  Goings,  J.  B.  Rae, 
J.  Paisley,  W.  C.  Webb,  and  H.  McLaughlin. 

There  being  no  opposition,  the  motion  was  declared  unani- 
mously carried. 


Eight-Hour  Deferment  Explained 


125 


President  Rae  appointed  the  following  brothers  to  draft 
a circular  to  the  miners  of  the  country:  W.  B.  Wilson,  John 
Kane,  J.  P.  Jones,  M.  J.  Goings,  and  Hugh  McLaughlin. 

OFFICIAL  CIRCULAR. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  27,  1891. 

To  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  Greeting: 

Fellow  Miners — From  the  time  that  mining  became  an 
industry  of  importance  within  the  boundary  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  question  of  shortening  the  hours  of 
labor  has  exercised  the  minds  of  the  thinking  men  of  our 
trade. 

Circumstances,  brought  about  by  the  exceptionally  pecu- 
liar position  of  our  industry,  both  with  regard  to  geographical 
location  and  diversity  of  thought  and  opinion  entertained  by 
the  divers  classes  of  people  seeking  employment  within  our 
trade,  rendered  it  impossible  to  unite  the  miners  of  the  coun- 
try in  one  solid  phalanx  for  any  given  object  of  reform.  But 
by  the  natural  law  of  evolution  and  by  a practice  and  exercise 
of  manly  patience  and  by  a suppression  of  personal  prejudice 
on  the  part  of  the  miners  of  the  country  during  the  past  two 
years,  we  had  arrived  at  the  state  in  organization  at  our  last 
annual  convention,  when  every  friend  of  the  miners  through- 
out the  whole  land  believed  that  the  great  reform,  viz.,  eight 
hours,  was  within  our  easy  grasp,  and  steps  were  taken  by 
resolution  and  otherwise  to  inaugurate  the  system. 

Since  that  time  the  world  has  been  startled  by  one  of  the 
most  awe-inspiring  strikes  in  the  annals  of  our  trade.  The 
coke  workers  of  the  Connellsville  region  for  the  past  twelve 
weeks  have  been  the  participants  in  a battle  waged  by  organ- 
ized capital  against  organized  labor,  which  can  only  be  termed 
the  gory  precursor  of  the  seemingly  inevitable  strife  between 
the  two  forces  in  a general  and  more  comprehensive  manner. 
While  the  men,  women  and  children  of  this  region  have  been 
the  victims  of  the  sheriff’s  writs  and  his  deputies’  Winches- 
ters, and  while  they  are  now  threatened  with  the  still*  more 
cowardly  and  still  more  unscrupulous  methods  of  the  das- 
tardly Pinkertons,  it  has  been  the  duty  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  to  render  to  those  people  all  the  financial  assistance 
possible  and  compatible  with  the  laws  of  our  organization. 
Therefore,  it  is  unnnecessary  that  we  should  say  that  the 
funds  which  under  other  circumstances  would  have  been  avail- 
able for  our  purpose  on  the  1st  of  May  have  been  very  ma- 
terially reduced.  In  a word,  the  time,  attention  and  finances 
of  our  organization  have  been  diverted  to  a channel  which  at 


126 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  time  of  our  annual  convention  was  almost  wholly  unex- 
pected. 

When  the  late  Pittsburg  convention  was  held,  it  was 
ordered  there,  that  if  necessary  to  review  the  situation  pre- 
vious to  the  first  of  May,  the  District  presidents  should  be 
called  together  with  the  National  Executive  Board,  to  consult 
as  to  the  proper  course  to  be  adopted,  and  we  now  learn  that 
there  has  been,  within  the  competitive  district,  a defection  on 
the  part  of  the  disorganized  miners  of  various  sections ; and  as 
the  custodians  of  the  interests  of  the  people  who  have  placed 
us  in  the  positions  which  we  occupy,  we  positively,  though 
reluctantly,  refuse  with  our  eyes  open  and  with  a full  and 
complete  knowledge  of  the  situation,  to  jeopardize  those  inter- 
ests, and  will  not  be  responsible  for  the  accompanying  suffer- 
ings and  sacrifices  of  a strike  to  our  constituents  and  their 
families.  Seeing,  as  we  do,  the  above  mentioned  situation, 
and  knowing  as  we  do  that  thousands  of  vampires  and  vul- 
tures (for  that  is  their  proper  name)  are  waiting  now  for  the 
first  of  May,  so  that  they  may  feed,  as  it  were,  on  the  sacrifices 
of  the  organized  miners  of  the  country,  we  appreciate  fully 
the  boldness  of  this  step,  we  realize  the  disappointment  to 
thousands  of  our  friends,  but  realizing  that  discretion  is  the 
better  part  of  valor  and  that  the  good  general,  rather  than 
lead  his  army  headlong  to  disaster,  prefers  to  make  an  honor- 
able retreat,  we  take  the  latter  course,  and  if  it  can  be  called 
a retreat,  we  prefer  it  rather  than  to  have  the  maledictions  of 
our  people  after  they  have  suffered  for  keeping  back  the  truth 
from  them,  and  have  determined  at  the  present  time  to  con- 
tinue the  fight  in  the  coke  region,  with  all  our  might  and  vigor. 
We  have,  therefore,  passed  the  following  resolution  and  sub- 
mit it  to  you  with  all  candor,  humility  and  respect : 

Resolved,  That  the  eight-hour  movement  be  deferred  for 
the  time  being,  and  that  the  time  for  action  be  left  in  the  hands 
of  the  National  Executive  Board  and  the  presidents  of  the 
various  districts. 


J.  P.  Jones, 

W.  B.  Wilson, 
John  Kane, 
James  White, 
M.  J.  Goings, 
J.  Paisley, 


W.  C.  Pearce, 

P.  Wise, 

J.  Nugent, 

P.  McBryde, 

W.  C.  Webb, 

J.  B.  Rae, 

H.  McLaughlin. 


District  6 Special  Convention 


127 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OHIO  MINERS’  SPECIAL  CONVENTION,  APRIL  30,  1891. 

A special  convention  of  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America,  was  held  in  Druid  Hall,  Columbus,  Ohio,  April 
30,  1891.  The  convention  was  called  to  order  Thursday  at 
10  a.  m.,  by  President  John  P.  Jones,  who  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing committee  on  credentials:  Morgan  Lewis,  Buchtel; 

John  Thomas,  Navarre;  C.  L.  Kimes,  Glen  Roy;  C.  H.  Smith, 
Flushing,  and  John  Thorp,  Washington ville.  A recess  was 
taken  to  1 :30  p.  m. 

At  the  afternoon  session,  the  committee  on  credentials 
reported  the  following  delegates  entitled  to  seats:  Robert 

Burden,  William  Gillen,  J.  H.  Spence,  James  Levering,  I.  N. 
Tucker,  James  Doran,  William  Melvin,  Wellston;  C.  J.  Barnes, 
J.  E.  Smith,  Byesville;  Herman  Shusser,  East  Greenville; 
Joseph  Curran,  Dillonvale  and  Long  Run;  Daniel  Connor, 
Barnhill;  J.  W.  Elkins,  J.  C.  Duncan,  William  Etheridge, 
Mark  Gulliver,  W.  L.  Turner,  Joshua  Thomas,  Coalton;  James 
Riley,  Berdler;  Alex.  Johnson,  Fred  Weymuller,  Isaac  Coy, 
J.  Nugent,  Nelsonville ; George  Hopkins,  Poland ; Thomas  J. 
Miller,  Massillon;  J.  W.  France,  Furnace  Mine;  John  0.  Mar- 
tin, Jackson ; Eugene  Taiclet,  John  E.  Morgan,  Charles  Graf- 
ton, C.  L.  Kimes,  Thomas  Cole,  Robert  Rice,  Edward  James, 
Glen  Roy;  David  Ayers,  Johnson  mine;  Phil  Kinkade,  Mur- 
ray City;  Michael  Jackson,  Trail  Run;  Andrew  Calvin,  Den- 
nison; Thomas  Spink,  Wadsworth;  W.  H.  Watkins,  Carbon- 
dale;  E.  S.  Brown,  John  A.  Peddicord,  Bellaire;  L.  D.  Shields, 
Brashears;  L.  M.  Redfern,  Kittanning;  L.  A.  Scott,  Dell  Roy; 
Joseph  Smart,  Orbiston;  John  Phillipson,  Steubenville;  Ed 
Thomas,  Carbon  Hill;  Levi  Davis,  Guard  Cady,  Clinton;  John 
Thomas,  Navarre;  D.  J.  Jones,  J.  E.  Jenkins,  Shawnee; 
James  Patterson,  John  Allan,  Isaac  Jones,  Glouster;  John 
Whalen,  Sherrodsville ; Peter  Wright,  Massillon  City;  W.  E. 
Layne,  Joseph  Thorp,  Washingtonville ; Morgan  Lewis,  Buch- 
tel; J.  D.  Gillan,  Glen  Eben;  Benjamin  Booth,  C.  & H.  V. 


128 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


mine;  Ira  Ault,  Yorkville;  George  Wilson,  Dillon;  C.  H. 
Smith,  Flushing;  Thomas  McGoff,  Peter  Gibson,  W.  C. 
Pearce,  Corning;  Michael  Collins,  R.  L.  Davis,  Rendville; 
Joseph  Price,  C.  C.  Cheney,  Franklin  Station;  C.  B.  Knox, 
S.  A.  Wangler,  Center  Valley  mine;  Charles  Williams,  W.  E. 
Farmes,  John  A.  Wangler,  Franklin  mine;  Martin  Huger, 
Summer  mine;  W.  B.  Gallaher,  Michael  Ratchford,  J.  P. 
Jones,  North  Lawrence;  William  Seidel,  Monday;  Daniel 
Baird,  Cameron  Miller,  Kellar  shaft;  H.  T.  Heltizel,  Negley; 
W.  E.  Applegarth,  William  Turner,  Cambridge;  James  0. 
Donald,  Nimisilla;  Thomas  Simester,  Somerdale;  D.  Barcley, 
Hollister. 

On  motion  of  Alex.  Johnson,  the  report  of  the  committee 
on  credentials  was  adopted. 

The  chair  then  appointed  the  following  committees : 

Order  of  Business — Michael  Collins,  C.  C.  Cheney,  J.  E. 
Jenkins,  Cameron  Miller,  John  Peddicord. 

Committee  on  Resolutions — Mark  Gulliver,  D.  Barcley, 
William  Farms,  Alex.  Johnson,  Michael  Ratchford. 

PRESIDENT  JONES’  ADDRESS. 

President  Jones  then  took  the  floor  and  stated  the  circum- 
stances which  led  to  the  calling  of  the  convention.  He  said: 
“Some  of  you  were  not  prepared  for  this  step,  and  as  a con- 
sequence you  have  come,  some  without  instructions,  others 
with  what  instructions  they  have  received  from  meetings  that 
had  no  time  to  discuss  the  situation,  no  time  to  consider  the 
new  elements  that  have  arisen  and  demand  attention.  Hence 
I feel  it  my  duty  to  lay  the  matter  before  you  as  I see  it.”  The 
president  then  reviewed  the  whole  situation,  finishing  by  an 
eloquent  appeal  to  the  delegates  to  act  in  such  a manner  as 
would  best  subserve  the  interests  and  promote  the  welfare  of 
the  thousands  of  miners  and  their  families  throughout  Ohio. 

Vice-President  Nugent  expressed  his  views,  counseling 
moderation,  conservatism  and  good  judgment.  Never  before, 
he  said,  had  a condition  of  this  kind  confronted  the  miners, 
and  hence  there  was  no  precedent  to  guide  them. 

The  report  of  committee  on  order  of  business  was  as  fol- 
lows : First,  that  we  hear  opinions  of  delegates  on  the  situa- 
tion as  stated  by  President  Jones  in  his  address  to  the  conven- 


District  6 Special  Convention 


129 


tion;  second,  that  each  delegate  be  allowed  five  minutes  to 
speak,  and  no  delegate  be  allowed  to  speak  twice  until  all  have 
been  heard  on  the  question  under  discussion;  third,  the  con- 
sideration of  the  machine  question;  fourth,  miscellaneous 
business. 

On  motion,  the  report  was  adopted. 

The  convention  then  went  into  executive  session. 

Hon.  John  McBride  being  called  upon,  responded  in  his 
usual  pleasing  and  instructive  way,  discussing  the  coal  trade 
in  all  its  bearings,  the  strike  in  the  coke  fields  and  the  action 
of  the  National  Executive  Board  in  deferring  the  fight  for 
eight  hours.  He  said  the  fight  in  the  coke  fields  made  this  step 
imperative,  and  he  congratulated  the  board  on  the  wisdom  dis- 
played. He  then  made  a special  plea  for  the  men  in  the  coke 
fields,  saying  it  was  a fight  of  capital  against  organization  and 
its  principles,  and  he  hoped  the  men  would  be  successful.  On 
motion,  the  roll  was  called  and  each  delegate  gave  his  view  on 
the  situation. 

The  afternoon  was  taken  up  by  delegates’  reports.  The 
convention  then  adjourned. 

FRIDAY’S  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  with  President  J.  P. 
Jones  in  the  chair. 

J.  B.  Rae,  President  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  addressed  the  convention  with  well  chosen  remarks 
on  the  present  condition  of  affairs.  His  advice  was  very 
pointed  and  plain  and  well  received  by  all  present. 

The  following  was  presented  as  a substitute  for  a previous 
resolution,  and  adopted : 

Whereas,  It  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  convention 
that  there  are  several  places  in  the  district  working  more  than 
nine  hours  a day ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  call  upon  all  such  places  hereafter  to 
work  no  more  than  nine  hours  a day,  and  that  the  half  holiday 
be  adhered  to. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following: 

That  we  indorse  the  action  of  the  National  Executive 
Board  in  declaring  the  eight-hour  movement  off  for  the 


130 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


present.  That  we  favor  a resumption  of  work  from  date  until 
May  1,  1892,  at  last  year’s  prices  and  conditions — 70  cents  for 
Hocking  Valley,  for  pick  mining,  excepting  that  part  of  it  so 
far  as  it  relates  to  machine  mining. 

Adopted. 

On  motion,  a committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  wait  on 
the  operators,  as  follows:  J.  P.  Jones,  M.  Collins,  John  Ped- 
dicord,  John  Curran  and  T.  Cole. 

The  convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  by  John  Nugent,  Vice- 
President, 

A motion  “that  this  convention  approve  of  the  action  of 
the  district  officers  in  calling  this  convention,  and  that  the  best 
course  under  the  circumstances  has  been  taken  by  them  for 
the  interest  of  our  craft,”  was  carried. 

Discussion  on  machine  mining  by  different  members  of  the 
convention  followed.- 

The  report  of  committee  who  waited  on  the  operators,  was 
as  follows: 

The  committee  of  operators  and  miners  met  in  the  Board 
of  Trade  building.  Operator  Townsend  was  elected  president, 
and  John  P.  Jones  secretary.  A friendly  discussion  was  in- 
dulged in,  and  the  following  unanimously  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  mining  for  the  ensuing  year 
shall  be  70  cents  per  ton  for  Hocking  Valley,  and  the  relative 
prices  to  continue  in  other  parts  of  the  state  as  at  present, 
said  prices  to  be  and  remain  in  force  until  IMay  1,  1892. 

A motion  that  a committee  of  Hocking  Valley  miners  be 
appointed  to  wait  on  the  Hocking  Valley  operators,  was  car- 
ried. 

The  committee  was  constituted  as  follows:  D.  J.  Jones, 

Joseph  Smart,  D.  Barcley,  Michael  Collins,  J.  W.  France. 

A motion  “that  if  it  is  necessary  for  the  machine  miners 
to  strike  for  their  just  rights,  the  pick  miners  will  divide  up 
the  work  with  them,  or  render  financial  support  if  required, 
was  carried. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following: 


District  5 Miners’  Convention 


131 


That  we  recommend  that  this  convention  heartily  con- 
gratulates the  national  organization  of  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers in  establishing  an  official  organ  at  their  recent  convention, 
and  we  further  recommend  that  all  delegates  present  urge 
upon  their  constituents  the  necessity  of  supporting  the  same. 

Adopted. 

The  committee  who  waited  upon  the  Hocking  Valley  oper- 
ators reported  the  following: 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  Ohio  have,  in  convention  assem- 
bled, proposed  to  the  Ohio  operators  to  work  for  the  year  end- 
ing May  1,  1892,  at  70  cents  per  ton  for  Hocking  district  and 
other  districts  in  relative  proportion  thereto,  and  that  nine 
hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work,  with  a Saturday  half  holi- 
day; therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  committee  of  Hocking  Valley  oper- 
ators, accept  the  above  proposition  for  the  Hocking  Valley. 

The  report  was  adopted. 

A motion  that  the  machine  question  be  referred  to  the  ma- 
chine miners  for  final  adjustment,  was  carried. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

PITTSBURG  MINERS’  SPECIAL  CONVENTION. 

Delegates  from  the  miners  of  District  5 (Western  Penn- 
sylvania) met  in  Pittsburg,  Thursday  and  Friday,  April  30 
and  May  1,  1891,  to  consider  the  question  of  prices  for  the 
year.  The  convention  was  called  to  order  Thursday  morning 
by  President  Hugh  McLaughlin,  Secretary-Treasurer  Boyd 
acting  as  secretary  to  the  convention.  Patrick  McBryde, 
national  Secretary-Treasurer,  occupied  a seat  at  the  secre- 
tary’s desk. 

John  Morgan,  Charles  Wallace  and  M.  McQuade  were  ap- 
pointed a committee  on  credentials. 

The  following  delegates  were  reported  entitled  to  seats: 
John  Caligan,  J.  A.  Morgan,  Peter  Wagner,  C.  E.  Wallace, 
Charles  Ott,  James  McGrogan,  Robert  Riddley,  John  M.  Gold- 
rich,  John  Hogg,  Thomas  Duffy,  William  Murray,  James 
Sweeny,  John  Welch,  John  Kircher,  M.  O’Neil,  William  Lloyd, 
Samuel  Devore,  Ed  Harty,  W.  T.  Duffy,  Matt  McMichael,  John 
Stratton,  William  Robertson,  Patrick  Halloran,  M.  McQuade, 
A.  Savage,  John  J.  Morris,  Peter  Sample,  C.  H.  Ashbey,  R.  J. 
Morgan,  James  Logue,  James  Adamson. 


132 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


SPEECH  OF  PRESIDENT  MCLAUGHLIN. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention;  When  we  last  assembled, 
it  was  to  discuss  the  eight-hour  day.  Failing  to  secure  an 
agreement  with  our  employers,  our  National  Executive  Board 
agreed  to  call  together  the  presidents  of  the  several  districts, 
if  in  their  wisdom  they  might  deem  such  a step  necessary  in 
the  interest  of  the  organization.  On  last  Friday  I received  a 
dispatch  from  our  National  Secretary  to  proceed  to  Columbus. 
On  my  arrival  in  that  city  I met  Presidents  White,  Paisley, 
Wise,  Jones  and  the  members  of  the  National  Executive 
Board.  The  reason  for  the  call  was  that  information  had 
come  to  our  national  officers  regarding  the  action  of  the 
miners  in  different  parts  of  the  country  in  reference  to  the 
eight-hour  working  day.  The  miners  of  New  Straitsville,  who 
have  heretofore  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  the  most 
advanced  unionists  in  the  miners’  ranks,  had,  regardless  of  the 
welfare  of  others,  gone  to  their  operators  and  requested  to 
be  allowed  to  work  at  last  year  prices  and  terms.  The  actions 
of  New  Straitsville  miners  caused  a widespread  feeling  of  dis- 
may in  other  parts  of  Ohio,  which  was  rapidly  carried  into 
other  states.  Letters  began  to  pour  in  upon  our  national 
officers,  the  tenor  of  which  showed  that  the  men  in  other  parts 
of  the  country  were  not  as  ready  to  move  as  many  supposed. 
It  was  decided  that  each  district  officer  should  give  an  outline 
as  to  the  position  of  his  district  on  the  eight-hour  day.  Dis- 
tricts 2 and  A were  ready  to  move,  with  one  small  exception. 
District  3 was  opposed  to  a:iy  movement  at  the  present  time. 
In  my  own  district  I knew  the  organized  men  were  in  favor 
of  the  eight-hour  and  10  cents  advance,  but  I could  not  shut 
my  eyes  to  the  fact  that  miners  employed  by  the  New  York 
and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company,  the  miners  on  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio,  on  the  Monongahela  and  west  of  Mansfield 
were  very  likely  to  remain  at  work.  Ohio  was  like  our  ovm 
district,  some  in  favor  of  the  movement  and  many  against  it. 
West  Virginia  utterly  opposed  taking  any  action,  and  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee  settled  with  their  operators  without  the 
eight-hour  day.  As  the  Presidents  of  Indiana  and  Illinois 
were  absent,  telegrams  were  sent  to  them,  and  the  meeting 
adjourned  until  Monday,  to  give  them  time  to  be  present.  On 
Monday,  President  Goings  was  present  and  said,  after  the 
action  of  New  Straitsville  it  would  be  impossible  to  move 
Illinois  in  an  eight-hour  strike.  After  carefully  canvassing 
the  situation,  it  was  decided  unanimously  that  as  our  miners 
were  not  prepared  to  move  in  their  own  interests,  the  time  for 
inaugurating  the  eight-hour  day  be  deferred.  As  we  had  made 
no  arrangements  as  to  a price  for  mining,  and  I desired  to 


District  5 Miners’  Convention 


133 


explain  matters  more  fully  than  it  was  possible  to  do  in  a cir- 
cular, this  convention  was  called.  I trust  you  will  give  these 
matters  your  careful  consideration,  and  that  in  your  wisdom 
you  will  take  such  action  as  will  be  advantagous  to  the  miners 
of  the  Pittsburg  district. 

Report  of  Delegates. 

Bunola  miners  wanted  89  cents  and  opposed  a local  strike 
for  eight  hours. 

Horner  and  Robert,  discretionary  power. 

Mansfield,  89  cents  and  eight-hour  day. 

Courtney,  89  cents,  eight  hours. 

Nixon,  89  cents,  eight  hours. 

L.  A.  3238,  Imperial,  89  cents. 

Enterprise,  89  cents. 

Venture  mine,  89  cents. 

Anderson,  89  cents  and  eight  hours. 

Kealing  mine,  4 cents  per  bushel. 

Federal  and  Fort  Pitt,  discretionary  power. 

“If  Ohio  works  at  present  price,  so  ought  we.” 

Summer  Hill,  89  cents,  eight  hours,  willing  to  fight. 

Idlewood,  92  cents. 

New  Bowerhill,  89  cents. 

L.  A.  2288,  89  cents,  provided  Hocking  Valley  advances  9 
cents  relative  difference. 

Eclipse  mine,  89  cents,  eight  hours. 

Finleyville,  89  cents. 

Canonsburg  wanted  to  act  with  the  district;  only  worked 
from  eight  to  nine  hours,  anyway.  The  operators  wanted  the 
men  to  work  for  a 5-cent  reduction.  Had  a conference  with 
the  operators  last  night.  There  will  be  160  organized  men  at 
our  meeting  tonight. 

Bells  No.  2,  89  cents. 

Federal,  move  if  Ohio  does. 

Boyd,  89  cents ; move  with  Ohio. 

Osceola  reported  it  very  difficult  to  get  up  a meeting ; men 
want  89  cents. 

Snowden,  89  cents,  if  Ohio  moves. 

Cherry  and  M.  & E.  mines,  89  cents. 

Macdonald,  go  with  the  majority. 


134 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Gastonville,  89  cents. 

Smithton,  discretionary  power. 

Shaners,  89  cents  or  its  equivalent  for  run  of  mine. 

A motion  was  made  by  J.  A.  Morgan  to  appoint  a commit- 
tee of  five  on  resolutions. 

C.  Wallace  considered  the  matter  ought  to  be  discussed  in  a 
committee  of  the  whole.  He  was  opposed  to  our  backward 
policy.  He  did  think  that  we  were  going  to  make  some  strikes 
with  our  present  organization,  but  found  himself  disap- 
pointed. He  was  strongly  in  favor  of  89  cents,  but  did  not  see 
how  we  could  be  successful,  unless  the  Hocking  Valley  also 
moved  a strike;  under  other  conditions  they  could  not  suc- 
ceed. He  moved  to  amend,  that  we  consider  the  question  in  a 
committee  of  the  whole. 

J.  M.  Goldrich  said  it  was  nonsense  to  talk  of  advancing 
wages  above  the  Hocking  Valley  any  further  than  at  present. 
“Even  if  you  would  succeed,  you  would  have  the  price,  but 
other  parts  of  the  country  would  have  the  trade,  as  most  of 
our  coal  goes  to  the  lake  market.  An  increase  in  the  differ- 
ential would  cut  our  employers  out.” 

The  amendment  by  Mr.  Wallace  was  lost. 

The  chairman  appointed  the  following  committee  on  reso- 
lutions: J.  M.  Goodrich,  William  Duff,  Charles  Wallace, 

James  Sweeney,  Michael  O’Neil,  James  Logue,  R.  J.  Morgan. 

The  convention  adjourned,  to  meet  at  1:30. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

James  A.  McFarlane  and  George  Hotchkiss  arrived  from 
Beechcliff. 

National  Secretary  P.  IMcBryde  informed  the  convention 
that  during  the  dinner  hour  he  had  sent  a telegram  to  the 
miners’  convention  in  Columbus,  asking  what  they  were  doing. 

The  report  of  committee  on  resolutions  was  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  89  cents  per  ton  pending  the 
action  of  the  miners  of  Ohio. 

That  the  question  of  run  of  mine  be  referred  to  this  con- 
vention. 

That  the  question  of  day  work  be  referred ; that  we  accept 
the  report  of  the  committee  and  discuss  the  resolutions 
seriatim. 


District  5 Miners’  Convention 


135 


A motion  that  the  first  resolution  be  deferred  until  after 
after  news  was  received  from  Columbus,  was  adopted. 

Mr.  Caligan  spoke  in  favor  of  doing  something  about  the 
run  of  mine  question.  Operators  were  selling  their  coal,  run 
of  mine,  and  paying  their  miners  for  screened  coals. 

M.  O’Neil  argued  in  favor  of  the  present  price,  54  cents, 
for  run  of  mine,  as  being  an  equivalent  to  79  cents. 

Mr.  Goldrich  said  an  arrangement  had  been  made  some 
time  ago  in  Pittsburg,  by  which  the  miner  whose  coal  went 
run  of  mine  was  to  get  the  average  weight  of  his  cars  which 
were  screened.  The  men  did  not  like  that  plan  and  wanted 
their  coal  weighed. 

Mr.  Sample  said  when  that  method  was  adopted  they  did 
not  allow  another  car  to  go  as  run  of  mine.  New  shutes  were 
going  up,  and  the  question  might  arise  again.  He  was  in 
favor  of  a price  being  established  and  the  coal  weighed. 

Mr.  Murray  only  wanted  one  price.  He  did  not  care 
whether  it  was  run  of  mine  or  screened  coal. 

During  the  discussion  it  came  out  that  the  operators  on 
the  river  were  loading  their  boats  run  of  mine,  something 
they  had  not  done  heretofore. 

A motion  that  the  question  be  laid  on  the  table  was  adopted. 

The  question  of  day  work  turned  out  to  be  a local  dispute 
at  Mansfield.  After  some  discussion,  the  following  was 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  all  day  men  be  allowed  to  work  in  case  of 
a strike,  provided  they  get  the  price  and  don’t  dig  coal. 

A motion  that  we  take  from  the  table  the  resolution  as  to 
price,  was  carried. 

During  the  discussion,  the  chairman  called  on  the  National 
Secretary  to  address  the  convention.  Secretary  McBryde 
reviewed  the  causes  which  led  to  the  abandonment,  for  the 
time  being,  of  the  eight-hour  day,  advising  the  delegates  to  go 
slow  as  to  demanding  the  89  cents  per  ton,  as  an  action  of  that 
kind  might  do  a great  amount  of  injury  to  their  constituents. 
At  the  late  convention,  the  differential  of  9 cents  was  adopted 
between  Pittsburg  and  Ohio.  If  the  miners  of  Ohio  agreed 
to  work  at  70  cents  per  ton,  he  desired  to  warn  them  that  a 


136 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


demand  for  89  cents  would  be  suicidal,  and  if  a strike  was 
declared,  it  would  end  in  defeat. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Secretary’s  remark.  Brother 
McQuade  moved  to  retain  the  9-cent  differential  as  between 
Pittsburg  and  Ohio.  Adopted. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  Friday. 

FRIDAY’S  SESSION. 

The  convention  having  heard  no  word  from  Ohio,  at  once 
took  up  the  question  of  the  price  of  mining.  The  delegates 
were  unanimously  in  favor  of  an  advance  in  price,  but 
believed  that  9 cents  was  a sufficient  differential  to  exist 
between  Pittsburg  and  Ohio.  The  question  of  arranging  a 
price  for  local  trade  seemed  to  be  a knotty  one,  as  it  would  be 
a difficult  matter  for  the  miners  to  know  what  coal  was  local 
and  what  foreign.  During  the  discussion,  John  Flannery  and 
Peter  Wise  addressed  the  convention.  A committee  consisting 
of  J.  M.  Goldrich,  William  Duffy,  M.  McQuade,  M.  O’Neil,  W. 
Ashbey,  James  Logue,  John  Kircher,  was  appointed  to  wait 
upon  the  operators.  On  their  return,  they  reported  that 
the  operators  were  willing  to  grant  last  year’s  scale,  but 
would,  under  no  circumstances,  pay  any  advance.  On  motion. 
Brother  McBryde  was  requested  to  be  present  with  the 
committee  when  they  again  met  the  operators.  When  the 
committee  came  back  the  second  time  they  informed  the  con- 
vention that  the  operators  were  firm  as  to  price,  but  agreed 
that  when  it  could  be  shown  that  any  operator  was  selling  his 
coal,  locally,  at  a price  that  would  warrant  an  advance  to  the 
miners,  they  should  receive  it,  and  that  a committee  consisting 
of  operators  and  miners  should  be  appointed  to  decide  any 
such  cases  that  may  arise.  Although  this  was  anything  but 
satisfactory,  it  was  agreed  to  for  the  next  year,  and  the  Sec- 
retary instructed  to  notify  Mr.  Robbins  of  the  convention’s 
decision. 

A bulletin  was  sent  out  from  Iowa,  on  May  9,  1891,  as 
follows : 

The  Iowa  miners  are  out  for  the  eight-hour  day.  In  the 
following  counties  the  men  are  all  out,  and  the  mines  are  at 
a standstill: 


Iowa  and  Coke  Workers’  Strikes 


137 


Appanoose  county,  1,300  men;  Van  Buren,  200;  Wayne, 
100;  Monroe,  700;  Lucas,  800;  Marion,  500;  Wappelo,  700; 
Keokuk,  1,200;  Manaska,  2,000;  Jasper,  600;  Dallas,  200; 
Green,  200 ; Guthrie,  150 ; Polk,  900 ; Webster,  600.  A dozen 
blacklegs  at  work. 

The  following  is  a partial  report  of  an  appeal  made  in  the 
interest  of  the  Iowa  miners : 

"Mystic,  Iowa,  June  8,  1891. 

"To  all  branches  of  labor  throughout  the  country  we  appeal 
for  help  for  the  coal  miners  of  Iowa,  who  are  now  standing 
out  for  the  establishment  of  the  eight-hours  workday.  We  are 
not  asking  for  an  advance  of  wages,  but  for  the  eight  hours  to 
be  the  recognized  workday.  The  operators  say  they  will  not 
entertain  any  proposition  made  by  the  organization,  or  by  any 
committee  of  the  miners.  Aid  us  at  once.  Let  every  working- 
man in  the  country  send  us  something  to  help  us  in  this  great 
battle  we  have  been  fighting  in  Iowa  ever  since  the  first  day 
of  May.  With  help  from  our  fellow  workmen  throughout  the 
country  we  will  win.” 

Send  all  money  to  Julius  Fromm. 

Walter  S.  Scott, 

President  or  Master  Workman, 
Julius  Fromm,  Secretary-Treasurer, 
District  No.  13,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

All  labor  papers  please  copy. 

Another  strike,  bravely  contested,  but  the  taskmaster  of 
the  period,  born  in  affluence,  succeeded  in  crushing  the  manly 
efforts  made,  to  try  and  bring  about  a much  needed  reform. 

THE  IOWA  MINERS’  STRIKE  FOR  EIGHT  HOURS. 

Mystic,  Iowa,  May  9,  1891. 

On  the  above  date,  an  appeal  was  issued  to  the  Iowa  miners 
by  President  W.  S.  Scott,  giving  reasons  why  the  district 
executive  board  had  ordered  the  miners  to  lay  down  their 
tools  and  make  the  stand  for  the  eight-hour  work-day  on  the 
first  day  of  May.  To  this  appeal  the  miners’  response  was 
encouraging. 

On  May  18,  Thomas  Bowl,  a member  of  the  board,  also 
published  a statement,  as  follows : 

To  the  Coal  Miners  of  the  United  States. 

Greeting:  Just  a few  Words  in  regard  to  the  eight-hour 

question.  It  has  been  brought  about  by  various  causes,  chief 
of  which  is  the  discharging  of  men  in  several  mining  camps 


138 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


for  no  other  reason  than  being  identified  with  the  organiza- 
tion, known  as  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America.  In  some 
instances,  the  men  were  discharged  before  the  time  for  the 
inauguration  of  the  eight-hour  day;  in  other  instances,  when 
the  men  presented  themselves  for  work  on  the  morning  of 
May  1,  they  were  told  there  was  no  work  for  them. 

On  the  same  date.  May  18,  a call  was  issued  for  a State 
Convention  and  Conference  of  Iowa  miners  and  operators,  to 
be  held  at  Oscaloosa,  May  21,  1891. 

Nearly  seventy  delegates  attended  the  conference  of  miners 
at  Oscaloosa,  Iowa,  but  as  none  of  the  leading  operators  were 
present,  no  settlement  was  effected.  The  convention  agreed 
to  allow  all  miners,  where  terms  were  granted,  to  resume 
work.  At  several  of  the  smaller  mines  the  terms  have  been 
granted,  and  it  is  expected  others  will  follow  suit  before  the 
end  of  the  week.  The  miners  still  out  are  firm  and  confident  of 
success. 

From  the  above  statement,  it  will  be  seen  that  none  of  the 
leading  operators  attended  the  conference  referred  to,  and  the 
struggle  continued  at  mines  where  terms  had  not  been 
granted. 

Later — Negroes  were  imported  in  large  numbers  to  take 
the  places  of  miners  contending  for  the  eight-hour  workday, 
but  during  the  contest  the  Iowa  miners,  through  President 
Scott,  secured  the  adoption  of  the  eight-hour  workday  at  the 
Oswalt  Mine. 

President  Scott,  of  Iowa,  met  by  appointment,  the  owner 
of  the  Diagonal  Mine,  at  Oswalt,  June  23, 1891,  and  effected 
a settlement.  The  miners  are  at  work  eight  hours,  the  organi- 
zation is  to  be  recognized  and  bank  committees  are  to  be 
treated  as  the  representatives  of  the  miners.  All  men  are  to 
get  their  old  places,  and  no  one  is  to  be  discharged  for  taking 
part  in  the  strike.  Over  200  men  are  employed.  The  men  are 
elated  over  their  success,  and  they  have  reason  to  be.  Miners, 
keep  away  from  Iowa  and  give  the  boys  a chance  of  success 
over  the  entire  State. 

THE  BIG  COKE  STRIKE  ENDED. 

CAPTAIN  LOAR  ACQUITTED. 

Scottdale,  Pa.,  May  23,  1891. 

The  Herald  today  says : Not  shattered,  but  broken,  is  what 
can  be  said  of  the  strike  this  morning.  The  old  men  are  report- 
ing for  work,  and  a general  resumption  is  sure  to  follow  on 
Monday  or  Tuesday.  At  Valley,  Gibraltar  No.  3,  of  the  coke 
region,  after  voting  solid  to  continue  the  struggle  Thursday, 


Illinois  Miners’  Screen  Law 


139 


reversed  their  position  last  night,  and  the  old  employes  made 
application  for  their  places.  Superintendent  James  Lynch 
would  not  deal  with  the  committee,  and  those  wishing  to 
return  had  to  make  individual  application.  Six  or  eight  of  the 
old  men  will  not  be  given  their  places. 

Between  Everson  and  Broadford  many  of  the  men  made 
application  for  work,  but  as  no  preparations  had  been  made 
for  starting,  nothing  was  done. 

At  labor  headquarters  it  was  conceded  that  the  old  men 
were  going  to  work,  and  it  was  the  general  opinion  that  under 
the  circumstances  it  was  the  best  thing  that  could  be  done. 

General  Manager  Lynch  said  that  no  more  works  would 
be  started  unless  the  demand  for  coke  would  increase.  The 
production  next  week,  with  the  works  now  in  operation,  will 
exceed  the  demand.  In  no  event,  he  says,  will  Standard  be 
started  for  some  time.  He  is  confident  that  the  sliding  scale 
will  prove  satisfactory,  and  that  matters  will  move  along 
smoothly  for  three  years. 

The  labor  officials  are  determined  to  hold  the  organization, 
and  they  have  faith  in  the  future. 

Preparations  are  being  made  to  start  Dexter  Monday 
morning.  The  old  men  will  likely  be  given  the  preference. 
Uniondale  and  Anchor  will  also  be  started  next  week,  but 
nothing  is  known  of  what  course  will  be  adopted  by  the 
Cambria  Iron  Company,  although  it  is  believed  that  they 
will  put  their  works  in  blast  the  coming  week. 

Enterprise  was  stopped  this  morning  by  the  company,  but 
for  what  reason  could  not  be  learned.  The  men  were  stopped 
after  part  of  the  ovens  were  out  and  while  others  were  being 
watered. 

One  of  the  employes  from  Trotter  reports  twenty -five  evic- 
tions there  yesterday  and  the  men  are  unwilling  to  resume 
work  on  the  terms  offered  by  the  company. 

The  case  of  the  Commonwealth  against  Captain  Loar  and 
his  deputies  closed  at  3 :30  yesterday  afternoon.  Morehead 
addressed  the  jury  for  the  defendants  and  Marshall  for  the 
commonwealth.  After  remaining  out  six  hours,  the  jury  re- 
turned a verdict  at  9 o’clock  last  night  of  not  guilty. 


140 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  arguments  in  application  for  a new  trial  in  the  cases 
of  Michael  Barrett  and  others  have  not  been  made.  Judge 
Reyburn  has  not  been  in  Greensburg  since  the  trials  and  he 
will  have  to  hear  the  arguments. 

Adjutant-General  McClelland  yesterday  sent  to  Brigadier- 
General  John  A.  Wiley  a draft  for  $27,051.36  in  payment  of 
the  expenses  incident  to  the  calling  of  the  Tenth  and 
Eighteenth  regiments  to  the  coke  regions  during  the  recent 
labor  troubles. 

Total  amount  received  during  strike,  $4,228.41.  C.  M. 
Parker,  Secretary. 

SCREEN  LAW  OF  ILLINOIS. 

The  gross  weight  act  passed  by  the  Illinois  legislature 
and  approved  June  10,  1891 : 

1.  Coal  to  be  weighed  before  screening,  or  full  output 
accounted  for. 

2.  (a)  All  coal  to  be  weighed  in  pit  cars  before  being 

dumped  into  screens.  Record  of  weights. 

(b)  Weighman — Oath  to  be  posted  at  scales. 

3.  Penalties  for  failure  to  comply  with  law. 

An  act  to  provide  for  the  weighing  in  gross  of  coal  hoisted 
at  mines. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  represented  in  the  general  assembly:  That  it  shall 

I be  unlawful  for  any  owner,  agent  or  operator  of  any  coal 
mine,  whose  miners  are  paid  upon  the  basis  of  the  quantity 
of  coal  which  each  shall  mine  and  deliver  to  said  employer, 
to  take  any  portion  of  the  same  by  any  process  of  screening, 
or  by  any  other  device,  without  fully  accounting  for  and 
crediting  the  same  to  the  miner  from  whose  output  such  por- 
tion is  secured  or  taken. 

2.  (a)  That  all  coal  shall  be  weighed  in  the  pit  cars  before 
being  dumped  into  screens  or  chutes.  2,000  pounds  to  the 
ton.  A correct  record  shall  be  kept  of  the  weight  of  each 
miner’s  car,  which  record  shall  be  kept  open  at  all  reasonable 
times  for  the  inspection  of  all  miners  or  others  pecuniarily 
interested  in  the  product  of  such  mine. 

(b)  The  person  authorized  to  weigh  the  coal  and  keep 


National  Board  on  Defense  Fund 


141 


such  record  shall,  before  entering  upon  his  duties,  make  and 
subscribe  to  an  oath  before  some  magistrate  or  other  officer 
authorized  to  administer  oaths,  that  he  will  accurately  weigh 
and  carefully  keep  a true  record  of  coal  delivered  from  mines. 
This  oath  shall  be  kept  conspicuously  posted  at  the  place  of 
weighing. 

3.  Any  person,  owner  or  agent  operating  a coal  mine  in 
this  state,  who  shall  fail  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this 
act,  shall  be  fined  for  the  first  offense,  not  less  than  twenty- 
five  ($25)  nor  more  than  fifty  dollars  ($50)  ; for  the  second 
offense  not  less  than  one  hundred  ($100)  nor  more  than  two 
hundred  dollars  ($200),  and  for  the  third  offense  be  im- 
prisoned in  the  county  jail  not  less  than  six  months  nor  more 
than  one  year. 

OFFICIAL  NOTICE. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  July  2,  1891. 

To  the  Members  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 

Everywhere,  Greeting: 

Brothers  and  fellow  craftsmen,  we,  your  executive  board, 
wish  to  congratulate  the  miners  of  the  country  embraced 
within  the  ranks  of  our  organization  upon  the  fact  that,  not- 
withstanding the  crucial  period  through  which  we  have 
passed  and  the  opportunity  presented  to  the  open  enemies  and 
the  pretending  friends  of  the  miners  of  the  country  and  the 
miners’  organization,  we,  your  executive  board,  believe  that 
you  have  proven  that  there  are  enough  of  you  possessed  of  the 
manly  and  intelligent  quality  to  warrant  us  in  continuing  to 
ignore  anything  and  everything,  but  that  which  in  our  opinion 
tends  to  the  ultimate  triumph  of  your  and  our  purposes,  viz : 
The  betterment  of  our  common  condition  through  united  and 
businesslike  action. 

On  the  other  hand  we  believe  that  many  of  you  are  de- 
manding from  us,  as  the  administration  of  the  organization, 
impossibilities.  We  take  this  opportunity  to  protest  against 
it  and  to  give  this  public  notification  that  we  will  not  consider 
ourselves  amenable  to  complaints  and  bickerings  arising  from 
our  refusal  to  violate  the  laws  of  our  organization.  We  refer 
to  the  manner  in  which  it  is  sought  by  large  numbers  of  our 
membership  to  avail  themselves  of  the  fund  known  as  the  de- 
fense fund  on  every  imaginable  occasion  and  pretext.  Men 
join  our  organization  as  though  it  were  some  speculative  ven- 
ture which  would  bring  immediate  pecuniary  returns  in  about 
the  same  sense  as  the  gambler  invests  a dollar  and  expects  ten 


142 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


in  return,  with  this  difference,  that  if  they  do  not  realize  their 
expectations,  those  who  they  imagine  have  frustrated  them, 
are  the  object  of  their  bitterest  enmity. 

In  proof  of  this  we  are  able  to  point  out  places  in  which 
the  men  have  organized  and  before  being  in  compliance  with 
and  constitutionally  entitled  to  benefits  have  sought  aid  and 
because  of  the  influence  and  representations  from  the  organ- 
ized men  by  whom  they  were  surrounded  and  the  good  ex- 
pected to  be  accomplished  by  loosely  interpreting  our  laws 
have  received  support  and  have  had  the  time  and  attention  of 
the  officials  of  the  organization,  with  the  result  of  bringing 
about  an  amicable  and  triumphant  settlement,  and,  after  hav- 
ing received,  in  some  instances,  three  and  four  hundred  per 
cent  on  their  small  investment,  have  ceased  to  be  members  of 
the  organization  until  just  on  the  eve  of  the  next  anticipated 
trouble. 

Another  class  are  those  who  joined  our  organization  from 
sincere  motives,  but  who  do  not  exert  that  vigilance  and  care 
necessary  to  tide  over  the  most  critical  time  in  their  organ- 
ization, viz : The  few  weeks  or  months  after  they  have  been 
organized.  Invariably,  instead  of  this  vigilance  being  used, 
the  method  is  to  be  suddenly  aggressive  and  attempt  to  adjust 
the  accumulated  wrongs  of  years.  Even  the  stable,  well- 
established  locals  throughout  the  country,  who,  when  trouble 
reaches  them,  would  have  some  show  of  reason  in  complaining 
if  we,  as  agents  of  the  organization,  could  not  meet  our  obliga- 
tions to  them,  aggravate  the  situation  by  insisting  too  fre- 
quently that  the  above  described  places  should  be  supported 
from  the  defense  fund  whether  they  are  strictly  and  constitu- 
tionally entitled  to  it  or  not. 

Now  we  wish  to  tell  you  as  our  constituents  that  the  de- 
fense fund  positively  cannot  satisfy  all  those  promiscuous 
demands. 

We  believe  that  this  fund,  if  strictly  applied  in  the  manner 
laid  down  in  our  constitution,  can  and  will  fulfill  all  its  obliga- 
tions to  the  real  genuine  and  honest  union  men  of  the  country. 
Its  effects  already  have  been  greater  and  more  extensive  than 
many  of  our  members  seem  to  know,  and  all  of  those  honest 
union  men  who  are  in  the  organization  from  sound  principle’s 
sake  and  who  have  been  assisted  by  it,  simply  bless  its  exist- 
ence and  its  provisions.  We  insist  that  our  obligations  would 
have  been  more  amply  met  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  the 
very  backbone  of  our  membership  have  too  often  urged  the 
officials  to  expend  our  resources  over  those  who,  in  many 
instances,  might  be  called  the  unreliable  ones  of  our  craft. 
But  be  these  things  as  they  may,  we  protest  that  the  defense 
fund  has  never  yet  had  a fair,  honest  chance  to  prove  its  use- 


Iowa  Convention  at  Oskaloosa 


143 


fulness,  on  account  of  the  matters  and  reasons  referred  to  in 
this  circular. 

Therefore  we  now,  once  and  for  all,  declare  that  not  a 
cent  shall  leave  the  defense  fund,  during  our  tenure  of  office, 
which  is  not  warranted  by  a strict  compliance  with  the  consti- 
tution. 

Your  delegates,  or  rather  yourselves  through  your  dele- 
gates, have  made  provisions,  whereby  this  fund  shall  be  dis- 
bursed and  our  members  protected.  If  those  provisions  are 
wrong  they  cannot  be  now  adjusted  by  us.  It  is  only  left 
for  us  to  see  that  those  provisions  are  fulfilled  and  in  the 
future  we  are  determined  that  this  shall  be  done. 

The  constitution  points  out  what  those  provisions  are,  but 
for  the  benefit  of  the  readers  of  the  Journal,  we  will  here  state 
that  no  trouble  can  be  indorsed  nor  financial  assistance  given 
therefor,  unless  it  has  come  through  the  district  officials,  and 
further  that  no  trouble  will  be  recognized  financially,  whether 
district  officials  have  indorsed  it  or  not,  unless  there  has  been 
a continuation  of  work  until  an  opportunity  has  been  given 
the  national  officials  of  investigating  the  same. 

We  do  this  for  your  good  and  our  good  and  the  good  of  the 
organization  and  because  we  are  bound  both  by  the  constitu- 
tion and  necessity. 

John  B.  Rae,  President, 

P.  H.  Penna,  Vice-President, 

P.  McBryde,  Secretary-Treasurer, 
W.  B.  Wilson, 

John  Kane, 

W.  C.  Webb, 

John  Nugent, 

Members  Executive  Board. 

IOWA  STATE  CONVENTION  AT  OSKALOOSA. 

JULY  7,  1891. 

Seymour,  Iowa,  July  9. — The  miners  of  Iowa  met  in  con- 
vention at  Oskaloosa,  July  7.  Nearly  all  the  camps  in  the 
state  were  represented,  there  being  39  delegates,  44  including 
the  members  of  the  executive  board.  The  convention  was 
called  to  order  by  State  President  Walter  S.  Scott,  who  made 
a few  appropriate  remarks. 

Delegates  were  requested  to  report  the  true  situation  in 
their  respective  camps.  The  reports  showed  nearly  all  of  the 
men  firm  and  determined  to  win  this  strike  for  eight  hours  if 
possible,  as  a surrender  would  mean  slavery  to  the  miners  of 


144 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Iowa  and  disaster  to  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
as  nearly  all  of  the  companies  have  contracts  borbidding  their 
employes  to  join  any  organization  for  the  purpose  of  advanc- 
ing labor.  After  hearing  the  reports  and  giving  them  due 
consideration,  the  convention  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

1.  That  we,  the  miners  of  Iowa,  still  continue  the  strike 
for  the  eight-hour  workday  and  the  reinstatement  of  all  dis- 
charged men. 

2.  That  if  the  companies  do  not  accede  to  our  demands 
by  the  18th  day  of  July,  1891,  that  we  then  demand  in  addi- 
tion a two  week’s  pay. 

3.  That  we  further  demand  an  advance  of  10  cents  per 
ton. 

4.  That  the  miners  of  Iowa,  in  convention  assembled,  do 
hereby  request  the  National  Executive  Board  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America  to  call  a convention  of  all  district 
presidents  for  the  purpose  of  declaring  a national  move  for 
the  eight-hour  workday  at  once. 

5.  That  we  still  maintain  the  stand  for  the  eight-hour 
workday  and,  furthermore,  in  settling  or  adjusting  the  differ- 
ences that  now  exist  between  us  and  our  operators,  we  will 
recognize  no  other  settlement  than  that  prescribed  by  the 
constitution  of  district  13,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

6.  That  each  mining  camp,  through  its  local  secretary, 
report  each  week  to  the  state  secretary,  the  true  condition  of 
affairs  as  they  exist  at  their  respective  mines,  the  same  to  be 
published  in  the  official  organs  of  district  13,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America. 

Be  it  further  resolved  by  the  miners  of  this  convention: 

Whereas,  Rumors  have  been  afloat  concerning  Walter  S. 
Scott,  president  district  13,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
alleging  that  he  had  received  money  from  his  official  capacity 
as  a bribe  to  prolong  the  strike  now  existing  in  the  state,  and 
we  have  investigated  the  said  charge  concerning  our  presi- 
dent, and  find  that  such  is  a pure  fabrication  from  beginning 
to  end  and  hereby  declare  to  the  miners  and  general  public 
that  we  have  the  greatest  confidence  in  the  honesty  and  in- 
tegrity of  President  Scott. 

The  convention  then  adjourned,  subject  to  the  call  of  the 
state  executive  board  of  Iowa  miners. 


Julius  Fromm, 

Secretary-Treasurer,  District  13. 


Joint  Agreement  at  Rendville,  Ohio 


145 


JOINT  AGREEMENT  AT  RENDVILLE,  OHIO. 

On  July  8,  1891,  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce  of  district  No.  6, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  gives  the  following  as  an 
agreement  entered  into  with  W.  P.  Rend  for  his  mine  at 
Rendville,  Ohio : 

W.  P.  Rend  called  at  the  office  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
in  reference  to  the  trouble  at  the  mines  at  Rendville.  The 
following  agreement  was  entered  into : 

First — That  the  standard  weight  remain  as  at  present, 
twenty-eight  hundredweight  (28  cwt.). 

Second — That  the  usual  custom  of  the  men  filling  the  nut 
coal  and  slack  must  be  adhered  to. 

Third — That  until  the  general  demand  for  coal  improves, 
which  is  expected  the  last  of  the  present  month,  any  or  all 
of  the  young  men  employed  at  No.  3 will  get  employment  at 
the  other  mines  in  which  Mr.  Rend  is  interested. 

Fourth — That  the  system  of  docking  in  force  in  the  other 
mines  in  the  Sunday  Creek  Valley  shall  prevail  at  No.  3. 

W.  P.  Rend. 

J.  B.  Rae. 

DISTRICT  NO.  6 OF  THE  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF 
AMERICA  SOAP  VENDING. 

September  10,  1891. 

A RARE  OPPORTUNITY. 

To  the  Wives  and  Daughters  of  the  Miners  of  Ohio. 

A chance  for  a Christmas  present. 

I am  authorized  by  the  Shakers’  Soap  Company  to  offer  the 
following  prizes  to  the  party  forwarding  the  largest  number  of 
United  Mine  Workers’  soap  wrappers  to  the  undersigned 
before  December  20,  1891:  1st  prize,  a silk  dress  or  $25;  2d 
prize,  $10 ; 3d  prize,  $5. 

In  addition  to  above  cash  prizes  the  twenty-five  persons 
sending  the  next  lower  number  of  wrappers  will  each  receive 
a ladies’  handsome  plush  workbox,  containing  thimble, 
scissors,  bodkin,  button  hook,  etc. 

No  humbug.  The  result  will  be  published  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers’  Journal. 

W.  C.  Pearce, 

Secretary-Treasurer  District  No.  6. 

In  accordance  with  the  announcement  made,  the  fair  com- 
petitors in  the  Ohio  district  were  numerous,  including 
Charley’s  interesting  wife,  Mrs.  W.  C.  Pearce. 


146 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Miss  Ellen  Craney  of  Buckingham  won  first  prize,  having 
produced  600  soap  wrappers;  Mrs.  L.  V.  Deloche,  Brideport, 
second  with  369,  and  Mrs.  M.  E.  Simpson  of  Mt.  Pleasant, 
third,  with  362.  To  these  three  enterprising  ladies  the  prin- 
cipal prizes  were  awarded  by  the  allied  revenue  producers  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

STRIKE  SITUATION  EXPLAINED. 

Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  October  19,  1891. 

At  this  writing  there  is  very  little  change  in  this  district, 
so  far  as  the  strike  is  concerned.  The  operators  remain  firm, 
also  the  miners.  Several  of  the  large  rolling  mills  are  still 
idle.  The  railroad  operators  have  been  making  arrangements 
to  have  their  contracts  filled  by  the  river  operators  and  in  view 
of  that  fact  we  have  issued  the  f olloydng  brief  circular : 

“To  the  Miners  of  the  Monongahela  River,  Greeting : 

“You  are  hereby  requested  not  to  load  flats  unless  the 
operators  agree  not  to  supply  any  of  the  railroad  operators’ 
contracts.  It  is  earnestly  urged  that  you  will  comply  with 
this  appeal  from  your  fellow  miners  of  the  railroad  district. 
Pit  committees  and  check  weighmen  will  please  see  that  this 
matter  is  promptly  attended  to,  as  we  have  only  a few  ad- 
dresses at  hand. 

“John  Costello,  President. 

“M.  McQuade,  Secretary, 

“Pittsburg  District.” 

It  is  hoped  that  the  river  miners  will  comply  with  this 
request. 

This  week  the  operators  published  a voluminous  account 
of  the  difference  existing  between  them  and  the  miners.  They 
say  in  concluding:  “To  sum  up,  the  miners  and  operators, 

on  May  2,  agreed  to  a rate  of  79  cents  for  one  year,  the 
‘differential’  of  9 cents  established,  as  before  stated,  being 
allowed.  Five  months  later  the  miners  broke  this  agreement 
and  demanded  13  cents  more,  or  a rate  of  92  cents,  making 
the  ‘differential’  22  cents,  and  practically  driving  Pittsburg 
coals  out  of  the  great  markets  of  the  Northwest.  The  opera- 
tors maintain  that  the  strike,  with  all  its  disastrous  conse- 
quences and  loss  to  both  operators  and  miners,  is  due  to  the 
latter  alone,  and  point  to  the  facts  of  the  case  in  proof  of 
their  assertions.” 

The  following  is  our  reply : “The  differential  between  the 
Ohio  and  Pittsburg  districts  was  24  cents  before  natural  gas 
displaced  coal  as  a fuel  in  Pittsburg  and  when  the  first  con- 


President  Costello  Explains 


147 


■ vention  of  operators  and  miners  met  in  Columbus,  the  opera- 
tors of  the  Pittsburg  district  made  the  plea  that  on  account 
of  the  displacement  of  coal  by  gas  they  had  no  market  for 
their  stock  and  had  to  employ  men  to  haul  it  away  or  shovel 
it  out  on  the  ground.  They  also  complained  they  were  com- 
pelled to  sell  their  nut  coal  at  a lower  price  for  these  reasons. 
They  claimed  the  difference  should  be  reduced  to  11  cents 
and  the  miners  agreed  to  it.  The  following  year  the  Pitts- 
burg operators  went  into  the  joint  convention  and  demanded 
the  differential  should  be  still  further  reduced  to  9 cents. 
This  the  miners  were  forced  to  accept,  in  order  that  the  joint 
movement  should  be  continued. 

“The  conditions  of  which  the  operators  complained  have 
been  changed.  Instead  of  paying  men  to  throw  the  slack  away 
they  sell  it  for  3 cents  a bushel  and  nut  coal  at  6 cents. 

“In  1889  the  price  of  mining  was  73  cents  per  ton.  The 
selling  price  at  the  tipple  was  90  and  95  cents.  In  1890  the 
price  of  mining  was  79  cents  per  ton;  price  at  the  tipple  $1.10 
and  $1.15.  In  1891  the  price  of  mining  is  79  cents;  price  at 
the  tipple  $1.15  and  sometimes  $1.25.  In  view  of  these  facts 
we  believe  the  miners’  demands  to  be  just.  The  responsi- 
bility for  the  trouble  rests  with  the  operators  and  not  with 
the  men.  The  operators  were  the  first  to  violate  the  agree- 
ment by  refusing  to  pay  the  price  agreed  upon.  They  annulled 
the  agreement  and  broke  faith  with  the  miners  by  three- 
fourths  of  them  refusing  the  deadwork  scale.  The  most 
prominent  operators  in  the  inter-state  movement  have  always 
refused  to  pay  the  prices  agreed  upon.” 

Brother  Rae’s  sentiments  as  expressed  in  the  city  papers : 

Mr.  Rae  feels  confident,  and  when  the  subject  of  arbitra- 
tion was  broached  he  said : 

“Well,  I would  suggest  that  the  operator  pay  92  cents  a 
ton  for  all  local  trade,  and  regarding  the  amount  of  advance 
on  the  outside  trade  I would  be  willing  to  have  a fair  body 
of  men  grant  a decision.  I feel  so  safe  that  our  demands  are 
just  that  we  are  no  way  timid  in  leaving  this  question  to  a 
committee  composed  of  fair-minded  citizens.” 

The  great  barrier  in  our  way  to  success  today  is  the  fact 
that  the  miners  of  Turtle  Creek,  Sandy  Creek,  Plum  Creek, 
Lampton  and  Irwin  Station  refuse  to  cease  work.  The  writer 
addressed  meetings  last  week  at  Smithton,  Lucyville,  Black 
Diamond  and  Midway,  which  were  very  well  attended. 
Brother  Rae  spoke  at  Black  Diamond  and  Midway  also.  A 
very  amusing  incident  occurred  at  the  last  named  place.  A 
very  large  meeting  was  held  there  and  Brother  Rae  spoke  from 


148 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


an  improvised  platform;  on  taking  the  stand  he  related  the 
story  of  the  preacher  who  was  delivering  a sermon  from  a 
flour  barrel  and  how,  when  he  was  uttering  the  last  word  of 
the  following  passage:  “a  little  while  and  you  shall  see  me, 

and  again  a little  while  and  you  shall  not  see  me,”  the  head  of 
the  barrel  gave  Avay,  and  the  poor  preacher  descended  into 
the  barrel  and  was  lost  to  sight  for  the  time  being. 

So  it  happened  that  just  when  Brother  Rae  had  his  arms 
extended  upwards  as  if  to  implore  Jupiter  to  assist  him  in 
vanquishing  his  adversaries,  the  platform  gave  way  and  he 
landed  in  a small  ravine.  The  audience  stood  awestricken 
until  the  doughty  president  returned  whole  and  sound  with 
the  exception  of  a sprained  wrist,  to  resume  his  speech. 

All  trains  on  the  Pan  Handle  railroad  were  compelled  to 
go  to  Steubenville,  Ohio,  for  coal.  Will  Ohio  miners  All  our 
contracts  ? is  the  question  asked  by-  our  miners  at  the  present 
time. 

The  operators  are  having  coal  loaded  in  the  coke  region 
on  the  P.  McK.  Y.  They  generally  send  it  through  Pittsburg 
at  night,  sometimes  holding  the  trainmen  over  all  day  in  order 
to  go  through  here  at  night.  We  have  been  informed  today 
that  the  Pennsylvania  road  was  going  to  bring  coal  from  the 
east  as  the  Pittsburg,  Virginia  and  Charleston  road  was  un- 
able to  get  coal  for  their  engines.  A few  men  at  Scott  Haven 
No.  1 are  working,  running  coal  east.  There  are  also  two 
small  mines  running  at  Smithton.  We  have  1,000  men  work- 
ing at  the  advance,  92  cents  per  ton.  Today  we  have  put 
eight  men  in  the  fleld  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  dis- 
trict. Don’t  forget  the  25  cent  levy  to  keep  them  in  the  field. 

John  Costello. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT,  JACKSON  COUNTY,  OHIO. 

Joint  agreement  between  coal  operators  and  miners,  Jack- 
son  county,  Ohio,  1891.  For  Coalton  and  Wellston  districts, 
Jackson  county,  Ohio,  November  12,  1891.  Basis  for  settle- 
ment for  Coalton  district : 

The  price  paid  for  mining  shall  be  5 cents  per  ton  above 
Hocking  Valley  prices. 

Entry  driving,  $1.75  per  yard,  when  mining  is  75  cents 
per  ton. 

Entry  driving,  $2.00  per  yard,  when  mining  is  85  cents 
per  ton. 


William  Houston’s  Death,  1891. 


149 


Pushers,  drivers  and  other  day  labor  receiving  same  price, 
$1.50  per  day. 


Signed,  Committee — 

John  Wall, 

Joseph  Smith, 

John  Wykle, 

Charles  Rittenhouse, 
John  Blankenship, 
Miners. 


J.  J.  C.  Evans, 

H.  L.  Chapman, 
Eben  Jones, 

J.  Morrow, 

E.  W.  Redding, 

Operators. 


For  Wellston  district,  November  12,  1891.  Basis  of  settle- 
ment. 

The  mining  price  shall  be  the  same  as  Hocking  Valley 
prices. 

Entry  driving,  $1.25  per  yard  for  coal  alone,  and  75  cents 
per  yard  for  slate  alone,  the  same  as  it  is  now,  on  the  present 
price  of  mining,  70  cents.  Day  wages  shall  be  $1.50  per  day 
for  drivers,  pushers  and  other  day  labor  now  receiving  that 


price. 

Signed,  Committee — 
Edwin  James, 
Steven  A.  Wangler, 
Thomas  Cole, 
Joshua  Thomas, 

J.  P.  Jones, 

Miners. 


H.  L.  Chapman, 
Theo  Fluhart, 

W.  L.  Caten, 

E.  T.  Jones, 

Moses  Morgan, 

Operators. 


WILLIAM  HOUSTON’S  DEATH. 


William  Houston,  a former  state  president  of  the  mine 
workers  of  Indiana,  died  November  19,  1891.  Aged  54  years. 

Billy  Houston,  as  he  was  familiarly  called  by  his  closest 
friends,  was  known  as  a plain,  blunt  honest-spoken  man,  full 
of  enthusiasm  for  the  trade  union  cause  he  loved  to  espouse. 

The  coal  operators  of  the  competitive  field  can  doubtless 
recall  some  of  the  forceful  arguments  he  used  when  discussing 
joint  scale  agreements  made,  more  especially  so,  at  the  joint 
conference  held  at  the  Bates  House,  Indianapolis,  Indiana, 
later  the  Claypool,  in  the  eighties. 

In  William  Houston’s  death,  the  trades  union  movement 
lost  a staunch  advocate  of  the  principle;  a firm  believer  and 
worker  for  justice  to  the  weaker  side;  and  a character  for 
honesty  of  purpose  well  worthy  of  emulation  and  respect.  The 
mine  workers  can  say  of  him : He  was  my  friend. 


150  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 

CONVENTION  OF  DISTRICT  NO.  12. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  January  13,  1892,  at 
10 :30  a.  m.  with  President  and  Master-Workman  M.  J.  Goings 
in  the  chair. 

The  following  committee  on  credentials  was  appointed : 
James  Houldsworth  and  Con.  Burke. 

The  following  delegates  were  reported  entitled  to  repre- 
sentation : 

Con.  Burke,  Oglesby;  James  Houldsworth,  Reed  City; 
Robert  Cunion,  St.  David;  William  Wright,  Kingston  Mines; 
J.  A.  Crawford,  Bryant;  John  R.  Monaghan,  Streator;  John 
Jasper,  DuQuoin;  Richard  Evans,  Centralia;  C.  S.  Jones,  Sato. 

Auditing  committee  appointed:  J.  A.  Crawford  and 

James  R.  Monaghan. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Crawford,  D.  W.  Ryan  of  Springfield  was 
accorded  a seat  in  the  convention. 

In  the  course  of  his  address.  President  Goings  said : 

That  notwithstanding  all  our  trouble  we  have  gained  more 
material  benefits  than  we  as  a craft  ever  gained  in  any  one 
year. 

We  have  got  some  good  laws  passed  but  without  an  organ- 
ization of  sufficient  strength  we  cannot  compel  the  money 
power  of  this  state  to  respect  those  laws. 

I am  satisfied  that  a national  organization  is  the  only  kind 
that  can  successfully  cope  with  our  difficulties. 

I believe  a uniform  initiation  fee  should  be  fixed  at  not 
less  than  $5  throughout  the  whole  state. 

Speaking  of  the  defense  fund,  he  said : 

It  would  be  better  for  the  organization  in  our  state  if  we 
had  no  defense  fund,  unless  we  can  have  one  more  effective 
than  what  we  have  now. 

Contracts  such  as  we  have  now  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  state  are  a disgrace  to  a free  citizen  as  the  operators  per- 
sist in  having  a contract  signed,  as  one  of  them  said  to  me,  at  a 
time  when  they  can  stand  a strike  best. 

The  different  committees  having  been  appointed,  Delegate 
Burke  of  Oglesby,  said  the  majority  of  the  unions  of  that 
place  were  organized,  and  the  truck  and  gross  weight  laws 
were  being  fulfilled,  and  miners  receiving  payments  semi- 
monthly. 


Illinois  District  Convention 


151 


James  Houldsworth,  of  Reed  City,  reported  weekly  pay 
and  gross  weight  laws  being  obeyed  with  no  truck  store. 

Robert  Cunion,  St.  Davids  and  Dumferline,  reported 
weekly  pay  and  gross  weight  laws  being  obeyed  and  no  com- 
pulsion with  regard  to  store;  powder  $2.00  per  single  keg; 
and  $1.85  in  twenty-keg  lots.  In  favor  of  state  organization, 
but  will  agree  with  the  ruling  of  this  convention. 

Crawford  of  Bryant  reported  half  of  men  organized,  but 
all  co-operating  with  the  union  men.  Conditions  the  same  as 
at  St.  Davids.  In  favor  of  national  organizations,  desire 
changes  in  the  constitution. 

Monaghan  of  Streator  said : They  were  virtually  without 
an  organization  at  that  place.  The  chief  cause  arose  from 
some  misunderstanding  between  the  two  branches.  They  had 
no  truck  store,  but  both  weekly  pay  and  gross  weight  laws 
were  disregarded. 

Jasper  of  Duquoin,  reported  one  secret  branch  and  two 
open  branches,  working  nine  hours  per  day  and  one-half  day 
on  Saturdays.  The  laws  were  regarded  in  every  particular. 
They  were  in  favor  of  national  organization. 

Evans  of  Centralia:  We  are  enjoying  all  the  privileges 

of  the  weekly  pay,  gross  weight,  and  anti-truck  store  laws, 
without  any  restriction  whatever.  We  are  in  favor  of  national 
organization  and  of  keeping  defense  fund  in  the  state. 

Jones  of  Sato:  The  weekly  pay,  gross  weight  and  anti- 

truck laws  are  not  duly  regarded.  We  are  in  favor  of  national 
organization  as  the  only  effective  means  of  improving  our 
condition,  but  we  are  in  favor  of  retaining  the  defense  fund 
m the  state. 

By  special  request.  National  Secretary-Treasurer  McBryde, 
who  was  in  attendance,  addressed  the  convention.  His  re- 
marks were  well  received.  He  outlined  the  course  of  events 
during  the  past  year,  reviewing  them  in  a logical,  reasoning 
manner.  New  light  was  shed  upon  the  situation,  particularly 
so  regarding  the  eight-hour  question.  The  outcome  of  his 
address  was  a healthier  and  better  feeling  toward  the  national 
executive  board  and  the  organization  in  general  on  the  part 
of  those  who  heard  him.  A few  more  such  addresses  and 


152 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Illinois  will  again  wheel  into  line  in  the  ranks  of  the  organiza- 
tion, 

Hon.  William  Scaife  and  the  indefatigable  P.  H.  Donnelly 
also  addressed  the  convention  and  made  some  excellent 
points,  which  were  well  received. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

President  Goings  in  the  chair. 

The  committee  on  order  of  business  recommended  the 
order  of  last  convention,  which  was  adopted. 

Committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following  which 
were  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  considered  to  be  and  shall  be  the  duty 
of  each  and  every  delegate  attending  this  convention  to  heart- 
ily concur  in  and  abide  by,  and  support,  each  and  every  meas- 
ure passed  by  this  convention,  by  majority  vote. 

That  we  pledge  ourselves,  as  true  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America,  to  sink  all  differences  of  opinion  for  the  welfare  of 
the  majority. 

That  each  and  every  delegate  in  this  convention  is  hereby 
authorized  to  call  for  and  use,  as  his  wisdom  directs,  a tabular 
statement  of  the  financial  standing  of  our  state  officers  over 
the  signature  of  our  auditing  committee,  for  the  purpose  of 
clearing  our  state  officers  of  the  charge  of  misappropriation. 

That  this  convention  recommend  to  the  national  convention 
the  advisability  of  so  amending  the  constitution  in  relation  to 
defense  fund  that  no  state,  or  part  of  a state,  shall  be  entitled 
to  any  relief  from  defense  fund,  should  they  come  out  on 
strike  before  first  receiving  the  consent  of  state  or  national 
officers,  and  no  power  be  vested  in  any  officer  or  set  of  officers 
to  violate  this  resolution. 

That  this  convention  request  that  the  national  send  a few 
good  men  at  a near  date  to  western  and  southern  Illinois  to 
build  up  the  organization  to  its  former  good  standing  and  that 
some  men  be  kept  long  enough  to  make  their  mission  felt. 

That  this  convention  elect  three  delegates  to  attend  the 
national  convention  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  February  9,  and  that 
each  delegate,  by  the  order  of  chis  body,  is  authorized  to  levy 
a 25-cent  assessment  to  cover  expenses,  the  same  to  be  at  once 
collected  and  forwarded  to  Eben  Howells,  said  Eben  Howells 
to  immediately  notify  each  body  not  represented  to  pay  said 
levy  at  once. 


Illinois  District  Convention 


153 


That  our  district  secretary-treasurer  make  a tabular 
statement  of  the  financial  transactions  of  the  state  board  for 
the  year  1891,  over  the  certificate  of  the  auditing  committee. 

Resolved,  That  any  national  or  state  officer  becoming  a 
candidate  for  any  political  office  shall  resign  at  once  and  no 
national  or  state  officer  shall  engage  in  any  political  contest 
during  his  term  of  office,  and  should  he  insist  on  doing  so  he 
commits  a misdemeanor  and  forfeits  all  claim  to  office. 

The  next  three  resolutions  adopted  were  those  offered  by 
P.  H.  Donnelly,  in  a communication  to  the  United  Mine 
Workers’  Journal  and  which  appeared  on  January  7,  1892, 
bearing  on  the  question  of  organizing  Southern  Illinois. 

Resolved,  That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  by  the 
secretary  to  the  national  officers  for  the  consideration  of  the 
national  convention. 

Resolutions  declaring  the  present  deplorable  condition  of 
the  miners  of  Illinois  to  be  due  to  the  cause  which  operates 
against  all  unorganized  labor  and  the  absence  of  organization 
in  this  state  to  be  due  to  the  criminal  negligence  of  non-union 
miners,  as  well  as  the  persistent  disregard  by  others  of  the 
necessity  and  advantages  of  a thorough  national  miners’ 
union,  and  setting  forth  the  conditions  which  operate  to  make 
the  idea  of  local  or  district  union,  solely,  untenable  and  futile 
were  adopted. 

The  evils  of  rate  cutting  were  denounced  and  an  appeal 
made  to  the  miners  of  Illinois  to  consider  their  honor  and 
manhood,  their  homes  and  the  future  of  their  families  arid 
not  to  allow  themselves  to  be  driven  like  dumb  beasts  or 
operated  like  so  much  machinery.  It  was  also. 

Resolved,  That  we  reiterate  our  pledges  for  a thorough 
national  union  of  our  craft. 

Resolved,  Also  that  we  pay  no  heed  to  the  teachings  of 
those  whose  conduct  tends  to  bring  strife  and  discord  into  our 
ranks  and  we  hereby  appeal  to  the  better  judgment  of  the  men 
of  our  state  not  to  be  deterred  in  the  duty  they  owe  to  them- 
selves and  families. 

On  motion  of  Evans  seconded  by  Cunion,  the  following 
was  heartily  indorsed : 

That  we  feel  sincerely  thankful  to  all  friends  whose  labors 
and  influence  was  duly  exercised  in  our  behalf  for  remedial 


154 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


legislation,  and  while  appreciating  the  enactment  of  the 
weekly  pay  law,  truck  store  bill,  gross  weight  bill,  the  mine 
examination  bill,  and  such  legislation,  we  deplore  the  fact  that 
corporations  wilfully,  and  we  believe  criminally,  disregard 
most  of  the  laws  herein  specified,  and  we  hope  there  may  be 
some  means  consistent  with  law  and  government  by  which 
corporations  may  be  compelled  to  observe  the  requirements  of 
all  statutory  laws,  as  individual  citizens  have  been  compelled 
to  do. 

We  would  recommend  to  the  forthcoming  national  conven- 
tion that  the  legislative  demands  of  organized  miners  for  laws 
which  are  of  a national  character,  such  as  a weekly  pay  law, 
gross  weight  law,  truck  store  laws,  etc.,  etc.,  be  made  the  de- 
mands of  the  craft  in  each  coal  producing  state  of  the  union, 
before  their  respective  legislature,  and  the  extension  of  such 
laws  to  the  Indian  Territory  as  will  tend  to  prevent  such  dis- 
asters as  the  one  which  recently  took  place  at  Krebs,  Indian 
Territory. 

Report  of  committee  on  organization: 

1.  That  this  state  be  divided  into  five  sub-districts,  the 
same  as  mining  districts  are  divided  under  the  state  mining 
department  of  mine  inspectors,  and  the  executive  board  shall 
consist  of  one  member  from  each  of  these  districts,  together 
with  the  president  and  master  workman  and  secretary-treas- 
urer. 

2.  That  these  five  sub-districts  be  divided  into  field  dis- 
tricts and  a local  organizer  be  charged  to  look  after  the 
interest  and  welfare  of  the  miners  of  each  field  district,  also 
the  sub-district  presidents  and  master  workmen  of  each  sub- 
district, and  the  local  organizer  of  each  field  district  shall  keep 
up  a regular  correspondence  with  the  state  office,  in  order  to 
effect  a proper  understanding  of  all  the  movements  going  on  in 
the  state. 

3.  The  dividing  lines  of  each  field  district  shall  be  left  in 
the  hands  of  state  officials  and  executive  board. 

It  was  moved  that  the  delegates  make  out  a list  of  promi- 
nent men  in  their  vicinity  who  work  at  mines  not  organized 
but  who  would  assist  organizers  in  getting  up  meetings,  and 
send  them  to  the  general  secretary-treasurer. 

On  motion  of  Monaghan,  seconded  by  Evans,  the  following 
was  adopted: 

Whereas,  Meetings  held  by  organizers  with  closed  doors  is 
beneficial  only  to  those  who  are  entitled  to  a seat  in  a local,  and 
all  non-union  men  are  thereby  deprived  of  a knowledge  of 


Convention  Proceedings,  District  12  155 

what  the  organizer  has  to  offer  for  the  advancement  of  labor ; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  the  holding  frequently  of 
public  or  mass  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  ventilating  our 
grievances  and  educating  public  opinion  to  our  cause. 

On  motion  of  Cunion,  seconded  by  Evans,  the  following 
delegates  were  elected  to  attend  the  national  convention  at 
Columbus  next  month:  M.  J.  Goings,  J.  A.  Crawford,  J.  R. 
Monaghan,  and  John  Jasper. 

Motion  by  Monaghan,  seconded  by  Cunion,  that  the  time 
and  place  of  holding  the  next  state  convention  be  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  incoming  officers,  but  the  convention  to  be  held 
not  later  than  the  middle  of  April  next. 

Amended  by  Jasper,  seconded  by  Evans,  that  the  words 
“not  later  than  the  middle  of  April  next”  be  stricken  out. 
Amendment  prevailed. 

Motion  that  the  election  of  officers  (president  and  secre- 
tary-treasurer) be  postponed  until  the  next  state  convention. 
Adopted. 

Motion  that  we  now  proceed  to  elect  members  for  the  in- 
coming executive  board.  Adopted. 

The  following  members  were  elected  for  the  respective  dis- 
tricts : 

District  No.  1 — J.  R.  Monaghan,  Streator,  111. 

District  No.  2 — Con  Burke,  Oglesby. 

District  No.  3 — J.  A.  Crawford,  Bryant. 

District  No.  4 — Richard  Evans,  Smithboro. 

District  No.  5 — John  Jasper,  Duquoin. 

Auditors — Messrs.  Crawford  and  Monaghan. 

Moved,  that  the  proceedings  of  the  day  be  given  to  the 
press.  Carried. 

Moved,  that  the  initiation  and  district  tax  remain  the  same 
as  they  are  until  next  state  convention.  Carried. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order.  President  Goings  in 
the  chair. 

Moved,  that  we  go  into  executive  session.  Carried. 

Report  of  auditing  committee  impart  was  read  as  follows: 


156 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


RECAPITULATION. 

Receipts. 


District  tax  $2,133.95 

Special  levy 269.05 

Supplies  78.60 

Miscellaneous  604.34 

National  defense  fund  for  West  Shaft 1,174.00 

National  defense  fund  for  Sparta 100.00 

National  defense  fund  and  other  sources  for  lockout  3,613.03 

Organizing  49.80 

On  hand  per  last  annual  report 76.79 


Total  receipts $8,099.56 


Dishursemcnts. 

Office  salaries  $1,069.47 

Organizing  and  field  work 371.44 

Hotel  and  railroad  expenses , 1,359.53 

Locked-out  and  victimized 4,626.00 

Miscellaneous  116.15 

Office  rent  and  expenses 262.73 

Attending  Executive  sessions 52.00 

Printing  and  stationery 232.95 

Cash  on  hand 9.29 


Total  disbursements  $8,099.56 


We,  your  committee,  beg  leave  to  recommend  that  the 
fiancial  report  of  Secretary-Treasurer,  Eben  Howells,  be  re- 
ceived, placed  on  file  and  ordered  printed  in  full  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers’  Journal,  as  we,  your  committee,  have  audited 
said  accounts  and  found  them  correct. 

J.  A.  Crawford, 

James  R.  Monaghan. 


Convention  adjourned. 


Convention  Proceedings,  District  6 


157 


CHAPTER  VII. 

OHIO  MINERS’  CONVENTION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  Tuesday,  January  19. 
1892,  with  President  Jones  in  the  chair. 

The  following  were  appointed  a committee  on  credentials : 
Edwin  James,  Coalton;  Geo.  J.  Haskens,  Washingtonville ; 
Fred  Dilcher,  Orbiston;  J.  J.  Eddy,  Shawnee;  Thomas  C. 
Miller,  Massillon;  John  Fahy,  Jacksonville;  Sherman  Glas- 
gow, Bellaire. 

The  chair  appointed  J.  C.  Duncan,  assistant  secretary. 
Motion  to  adjourn.  Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  entitled 
to  seats  in  the  convention:  John  Spriggs,  Stephen  A.  Wang- 
ler,  Samuel  Martin,  Wm.  Kiefer,  Fred  Dilcher,  Thos.  Mo- 
rarity,  J.  J.  Cusick,  Alex.  Gibbs,  John  Fahy,  M.  K.  Glen,  J.  C. 
Duncan,  W.  L.  Turvey,  Robert  Ramsey,  I.  N.  Tucker,  W.  E. 
Applegarth,  Jas.  Daugherty,  Jas.  Prichard,  J.  P.  Jones,  H. 
McKenna,  R.  A.  Morgan,  J.  H.  Levering,  Lafayette  Turvey, 
J.  J.  Eddy,  Thos.  Moulton,  Chas.  P.  Ray,  L.  D.  Devore,  Hugh 
Lewis,  Wm.  Etheridge,  J.  C.  Gallagher,  G.  J.  Haskens,  Ber- 
nard Noon,  John  Eyley,  Geo.  Jacoby,  Emmet  Valentine,  Thos. 
Wilkinson,  Joseph  Mullan,  Jas.  Maloney,  Mark  Gulliver,  T.  L. 
Lewis,  John  Williams,  J.  C.  Curtis,  Thos.  Simister,  C.  B. 
Knox,  M.  Farnsworth,  Joshua  A.  Jones,  Evan  Williams,  Jessie 
Devore,  Raphael  Parks,  L.  D.  Shields,  Charles  E.  Starr, 
Charles  Bailey,  C.  H.  Smith,  G.  C.  Silcott,  James  Patterson, 
James  Sergent,  Ferdinand  Walker,  J.  E.  Sivard,  Theodore 
Chalfant,  Morgan  Lewis,  Charles  Bausher,  Landy  Steenrod, 
V.  E.  Sullivan,  Thos.  McMasters,  James  O’Donnell,  Thos.  J. 
Healy,  William  E.  Farms,  Hiram  Deen,  Dennis  H.  Sullivan, 
William  Nixon,  Jasper  Cox,  F.  Horning,  T.  M.  Gallagher, 
Charles  A.  Robins,  W.  C.  Brown,  Thomas  C.  Miller,  George 
Wilson,  H.  H.  Narney,  Patrick  McGivern,  A.  C.  GifRn,  John 


158 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Haynes,  James  E.  Lewis,  William  L.  Davis,  Z.  Emerey,  Samuel 
Conrad,  Wm.  Meddows,  M,  Harrington,  G.  W,  Scheck,  John 
Whalen,  David  S.  Roy,  Edwin  James,  John  Maddox,  Sherman 
Glasgow,  D.  C.  North,  Michael  Jackson,  John  Nugent,  W.  C. 
Pearce,  Jas.  Probst,  F.  Weymueller,  Chas.  Fitser,  Geo.  Savely, 
Chas.  Call,  R.  L.  Davis,  Joshua  Thomas,  Jonathan  Coslett, 

F.  H.  Jackson,  A.  H.  West,  and  John  Still. 

Moved,  that  the  report  be  accepted  and  the  committee  con- 
tinued. Agreed  to. 

Order  of  Business — Thomas  Lewis,  Charles  P.  Ray,  Jessie 
Devore,  Wm.  Nixon,  James  Maloney,  James  Pritchard,  C. 
North. 

Grievances — William  Applegarth,  Bernard  Noon,  L.  D. 
Shields,  William  Patterson,  John  Eyley,  Dennis  H.  Sullivan, 

G.  W.  Scheck. 

Auditing — John  Williams,  J.  L.  Sergent,  J.  C.  Curtis, 
Charles  Call,  Joshua  Thomas,  R.  L.  Davis,  Charles  Robbins. 

Constitution — Mark  Gulliver,  Morgan  Lewis,  Thomas  l\Io- 
rarity,  Thomas  Wilkinson,  Samuel  Martin,  S.  A.  Wangler, 
C.  H.  Smith. 

Resolutions — Raphael  Parks,  W.  L.  Davis,  John  Whalen, 
W.  E.  Farms,  V.  E.  Sullivan,  L.  Steenrod,  M.  Jackson. 

National  President  Rae  briefly  addressed  the  convention, 
after  which  a motion  was  adopted  that  the  convention  adjourn 
until  tomorrow. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  20. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  with  President  J.  P.  Jones 
in  the  chair. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business : 

1.  That  the  convention  be  governed  by  parliamentary 
rules  and  order. 

2.  That  the  convention  convene  at  8 a.  m.  and  adjourn  at 
12:15  p.  m. ; reconvene  at  1:30  p.  m.  and  adjourn  at  5 p.  m. 

3.  Speeches  to  be  limited  to  five  minutes  and  no  person  to 
speak  more  than  once  on  the  same  question. 

4.  General  discussion  on  ways  and  means  of  building  up 
the  organization. 

5.  Report  of  committees. 


Convention  Proceedings,  District  6 


159 


6.  Miscellaneous  business. 

Reading  of  minutes  of  yesterday’s  meeting.  Correction  of 
names  having  been  made,  the  report  was  adopted. 

The  credentials  committee  reported  that  they  received 
credentials  of  E.  Thomas  and  John  A.  Peddicord,  and  advised 
their  admission  to  the  convention,  with  voice,  but  no  vote. 
Report  concurred  in. 


Resolutions  Adopted. 

1.  Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates  of  District  6,  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  composed  of  the  miners 
and  mine  laborers  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  in  convention  assem- 
bled, do  hereby  indorse  the  speedy  passage  of  a law  to  prohibit 
Chinese  immigration.  That  all  delegates  shall,  upon  their 
return  home,  circulate  petitions  and  solicit  the  signatures  of 
citizens  of  their  localities  to  the  said  petition  and  forward  to 
our  congressmen,  and  that  we  may  all  have  one  heading  for 
said  petitions.  The  secretary-treasurer  is  hereby  authorized 
to  have  printed  heading  of  said  petitions  and  forward  at  once 
two  copies  of  same  to  each  Local  Assembly  and  Local  Union 
in  District  6,  as  soon  as  possible. 

2.  That  we,  the  delegates  of  District  6,  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  composing  the  miners  of  the  State  of 
Ohio,  in  convention  assembled,  do  hereby  affirm  and  believe 
that  the  best  interest  of  our  craft  require  that  this  district  be 
represented  in  the  great  industrial  conference  of  all  organiza- 
tions, that  is  to  meet  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  on  February  22,  1892. 

3.  Referred  to  the  author. 

4.  Whereas,  The  semi-monthly  pay  law  has  been  grossly 
violated  in  certain  sub-districts  in  District  6,  in  regard  to 
yardage;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  each  miner  driving  narrow  work,  or  more 
properly  termed  yardage,  shall  demand  from  the  mine  or  pit- 
boss  that  his  place  shall  be  measured  and  his  yardage  turned 
into  the  office  and  paid  for  semi-monthly,  under  penalty  of 
suspension  or  expulsion. 

5.  That  on  and  after  May  1,  1892,  all  miners  not  belonging 
to  some  miner’s  union  shall  be  considered  non-union  miners, 
and  treated  as  such. 

Whereas,  The  nominations  for  officers  have  been  made  by 
locals  and  delegates  instructed  how  to  record  their  votes. 

Resolved,  That  the  vote  of  the  delegates  be  recorded  in  the 
proceedings  of  this  convention. 

6.  That  we  urge  the  mine  inspector  to  enforce  the  law  in 
regard  to  break-throughs,  and  that  the  district  secretary- 


160 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


treasurer  notify  him  and  ask  that  he  enforce  said  law  to  the 
letter  in  all  places  in  this  district. 

7.  That  we  urge  on  the  legislature  of  Ohio  to  pass  a law 
requiring  the  weighing  of  all  coal  before  screening. 

Moved  we  adjourn.  Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  session  opened,  with  President  Jones  in  the 
chair,  who  stated  that  the  question  before  the  convention  was 
the  machine  question,  or  price  for  machine  work. 

Moved,  that  we  go  into  executive  session.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  three-fifths  of  the  pick  price  for 
loading  coal  after  machine,  including  the  drilling,  and  3 cents 
less  where  the  company  does  the  drilling. 

After  hearing  the  reports  of  the  different  delegates,  the 
committee  finally  resolved  to  insist  on  three-fifths  of  the  price 
of  pick  mining  for  loading  after  machines,  but  only  on  condi- 
tion that  District  6,  as  a whole,  will  strike  with  us  if  necessary, 
and  not  otherwise.  This  to  be  submitted  to  the  miners  of 
Ohio  as  an  issue  of  our  forthcoming  district  convention. 

Amendment:  That  a committee  of  five  machine  men  and 

five  pick  miners  bring  it  before  the  convention.  Carried. 

Committee  on  part  of  machine  men — W.  E.  Farms,  John 
Fahy,  Fred  Dilcher,  Jessie  Devore,  Thomas  Morarity. 

Committee  on  part  of  pick  men — T.  L.  Lewis,  Joshua 
Thomas,  Thomas  Wilkinson,  Morgan  Lewis,  James  Sergent. 

A recess  of  fifteen  minutes  was  taken  to  give  the  delegates 
an  opportunity  to  present  to  the  secretary  the  numbers  of 
their  respective  locals. 

Vice-President  Nugent  then  called  the  convention  to  order, 
when  a motion  to  adjourn  to  Thursday,  was  passed. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  21. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  Vice-President  John 
Nugent  in  the  chair. 

Special  committee  on  machine  question  was  called  on  to 
make  a report. 

The  chair  declared  the  convention  in  executive  session. 

Report  of  special  committee: 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


161 


We  believe  the  machine  miners  are  entitled  to  an  advance 
over  present  rates,  to  bring  them  up  to  an  equivalent  of  the 
pick  mining  rates. 

Resolved,  That  we  sustain  the  demand  of  the  machine 
miners,  and  that  this  convention  authorize  a levy  of  $1  per 
week  on  each  pick  miner  for  the  support  of  the  machine 
miners,  in  case  of  a strike,  or  share  our  work  with  any  ma- 
chine men  who  desire  to  come  among  us  for  work. 

After  hearing  the  respective  opinions.  Brother  Call  moved 
that  the  motion  be  separated,  and  the  motion  was  adopted. 

Moved,  to  adopt  the  recommendation  of  the  committee: 
That  we  sustain  the  demand  of  the  machine  miners  for  three- 
fifths  of  pick  mining  rates.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  each  checkweighman  send  in  each  month 
to  his  sub-district  secretary,  the  average  of  his  mines,  said 
average  to  comprise  the  average  number  of  men  employed, 
total  number  of  full  days  worked  per  month,  average  clear 
pay  per  man  per  day,  average  clear  pay  per  man  per  month, 
average  clear  pay  per  man  for  the  year,  total  tons  of  coal 
mined,  total  money  paid  by  the  company  for  total  production 
of  the  mine,  and  also  the  total  cost  to  company  per  ton  for 
coal,  this  average  to  be  enforced  in  difference  in  earnings  of 
pick  miners  and  machine  miners  throughout  the  state  of 
Ohio,  and  not  as  heretofore,  to  be  guided  by  only  the  best  ma- 
chine mines  in  the  United  States.  Adopted. 

Joshua  Thomas,  John  Whalen  and  F.  Weymueller  were 
appointed  as  a committee  to  wait  upon  the  governor  and 
friends  of  the  miners,  to  address  the  convention. 

The  question  of  defense  fund  was  taken  up.  The  commit- 
tee on  resolutions  recommended  the  defense  fund  be  abolished. 
Moved,  that  the  matter  be  tabled  until  2 o’clock.  Adopted. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Meeting  called  to  order  with  President  Jones  in  the  chair. 

The  address  of  the  president  was  then  read. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention: 

Again  we  have  come  together  for  the  purpose  of  deliberat- 
ing on  the  question : How  best  to  promote  the  interests  of  the 
miners  of  District  6,  or  the  State  of  Ohio.  Speaking  in  a com- 
parative sense,  our  very  commendable  and  advanced  position 
as  an  organized  state  does  not  altogether  entitle  but  obligates 
us  to  also  deliberate  here  during  the  progress  of  this  conven- 
tion: How  best  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  miners  of 


162 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


America.  Without  egotism,  without  assumption  and  without 
arrogating  to  ourselves  any  superiority  in  the  personnel  of  the 
men  constituting  this,  our  very  creditable  state  organization, 
we  yet  must  recognize  that  owing  to  conditions  partly  of  the 
making  of  men  themselves  and  partly  unavoidable,  and  which 
for  some  years  the  miners  of  Ohio  have  not  had  to  grapple 
with,  we  are  in  a position  today  in  which,  in  proportion  to  the 
disposition  of  broadness,  or  the  converse  of  this  quality,  dis- 
played by  us,  so  will  the  future  of  the  principle  of  organiza- 
tion, and  the  consequent  condition  of  the  miners  of  Ohio  and 
our  sister  states  be  satisfactory  or  otherwise. 

We  have  had,  during  the  past  year,  no  strikes  of  a general 
character,  but  several  of  a minor  or  local  nature. 

During  the  month  of  May,  the  miners  of  Coshocton,  county 
struck  to  enforce  rules  for  the  government  of  mines.  After  a 
struggle  of  three  months,  the  men  were  defeated,  and  were 
compelled  to  seek  work  at  the  company’s  terms.  The  strike 
was  untimely  and,  had  more  discretion  and  more  deliberate 
judgment  been  exercised,  would  not  have  occurred. 

On  July  1,  in  accordance  with  a resolution  adopted  at  the 
special  convention,  the  miners  of  the  Cleveland,  Lorain  and 
Wheeling,  and  Wheeling  and  Lake  Erie  railroads  instituted 
a movement  with  a view  to  the  establishment  of  the  nine-hour 
work-day.  After  a two  weeks’  suspension,  the  matter  was 
compromised  on  a basis  of  nine  and  a half  hours  per  day,  the 
operators  agreeing  to  pay  the  Hocking  Valley  scale  of  prices 
for  drivers  and  inside  men.  Along  with  this  triumph  was 
gained  an  adjustment  of  the  pick  sharpening  difficulty  and  a 
reduction  in  the  unreasonable  rents  which  were  being  exacted 
at  some  of  the  mines  in  that  locality.  Adverse  and  unfriendly 
as  was  the  criticism  indulged  in  by  many  on  account  of  the 
settlement  made  in  this  district,  we  still  feel  a consciousness 
of  having  fulfilled  the  obligations  incumbent  upon  us  as  presi- 
dent of  the  organization,  in  making  the  settlement  referred  to. 
Among  the  many  reasons  for  this,  perhaps  none  are  stronger 
than  the  fact  that  an  ominous  restlessness  could  easily  be  dis- 
cerned in  the  midst  of  the  men  engaged  in  that  strike,  and 
which  gave  anything  but  a glowing  promise  of  a determina- 
tion on  the  part  of  many  of  them  to  make  the  sacrifices  inci- 
dent to  a long  siege,  should  it  be  necessary  for  ultimate  suc- 
cess, as  well  as  the  more  menacing  fact  that  the  trade  of  that 
locality  was  being  appropriated  and  supplied  by  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

In  the  Tuscarawas  Valley  a signal  triumph  of  justice  and 
reason  was  gained  in  the  settlement  at  Forest  mine  of  what 
is  generally  known  as  the  breaker  or  obstruction  grievance. 
The  facts  are  these : At  the  above  mentioned  place  the  devel- 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


163 


opment  of  this  annoyance  and  injustice  had  advanced  to  such 
proportions  that  the  men  affected  demanded  the  immediate 
removal  of  the  same,  and  suspended  work  to  enforce  their  de- 
mand. After  three  weeks  of  parley  and  negotiating  with  a 
view  to  the  adjustment  of  this  difficulty,  it  was  mutually 
agreed  to  settle  the  matter  by  arbitration,  David  Johns  and 
Henry  Herbert  being  selected  to  act  in  behalf  of  the  operators, 
and  M.  Ratchford  and  myself  being  selected  by  the  miners, 
with  the  Rev.  Father  Kuhns  as  umpire.  After  a thorough 
and  exhaustive  investigation,  both  in  the  way  of  collecting 
verbal  testimony  and  the  making  of  actual  test  by  weight, 
measurements  and  other  means  of  determining  the  justice  in 
the  case,  it  was  decided  by  the  reverend  gentleman  that  the 
obstructions  in  the  screens  should  be  removed. 

A little  divergence  may  be  permitted  here,  and  I am  sure, 
understanding  the  circumstances  as  I do,  is  excusable  for  the 
purpose  of  doing  a simple  act  of  justice  to  the  character  and 
integrity  of  the  gentleman  whom  we  were  fortunate  enough  in 
securing  as  umpire  on  this  occasion.  Christianity  and  religion 
in  its  practical  demonstration  was  never  more  clearly  evi- 
denced than  in  the  manner  in  which  everything  which  tends 
to  quell  the  ordinary  worldly  man  was  withstood  by  this  gen- 
tleman. Without  fulsomeness,  we  wish  to  be  understood  as 
saying  that  if  the  representatives  of  the  Nazarene  were  in  all 
cases  as  truly  representative  as  this  experience  shows  us  was 
and  is  this  respected  gentlemen,  the  question,  “The  church 
versus  labor,”  would  have  a different  standing  in  the  world 
than  it  has  today.  We  hope  that  this  convention,  before  its 
adjournment,  will  mete  out  to  the  Rev.  Kuhns  a courtesy, 
which  is  truly  merited,  in  the  passage  of  an  appropriate  reso- 
lution embodying  the  thanks  of  the  miners  of  Ohio,  not  for  his 
friendship  as  much  as  for  his  strong  and  fearless  sense  of 
justice  and  right. 

The  miners  of  Fluhart’s  (Jackson  county)  mine  struck  for 
the  discharge  of  a pit  boss,  who,  by  his  injudicious  conduct 
and  untimely  remarks,  succeeded  in  earning  for  himself  an 
unenviable  reputation  and  making  himself  generally  obnox- 
ious. After  a few  weeks’  idleness,  the  matter  was  referred  to 
an  arbitration  committee,  whose  decision  was  that  the  gentle- 
man should  be  removed,  which  was  done ; thus  demonstrating 
that  even  haughty  pit  bosses  cannot  with  impunity  assail  the 
character  of  our  homes. 

In  April,  the  miners  of  Redfield  were,  by  the  unfair  and 
arbitrary  rules  that  had  been  passed,  compelled  to  strike.  Af- 
ter a period  of  five  weeks,  the  matter  was  adjusted  by  arbi- 
tration. 

During  the  month  of  November,  the  men  of  Cherry  Valley 


164 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


mine,  Washingtonville,  struck  for  the  re-instatement  of  a fel- 
low miner  who  had  been  discharged  for  having  loaded  a 
small  amount  of  refuse  matter.  After  being  idle  two  weeks, 
the  company  agreed  to  the  miners’  terms.  This  was  an  unwise 
and  unnecessary  stoppage,  owing  to  the  arbitrary  spirit  of 
the  superintendent. 

December,  a strike  of  three  weeks’  duration  occurred  at 
Irondale.  The  company  attempted  to  enforce  some  unjust 
and  unfair  rules,  which  the  men  declined  to  entertain.  As  a 
consequence,  the  company  selected  those  most  conspicuous  in 
the  cause  of  organization  and  sought  to  discharge  them.  The 
miners  refused  to  allow  this  insidious  scheme  to  break  up  their 
union.  The  company  seeing  the  determination  of  the  men, 
withdrew  the  proposition. 

On  May  1,  the  miners  of  Yorkville  struck  to  secure  a reduc- 
tion in  the  screens  from  one  and  a half  inch  to  a recognized 
inch  and  a quarter.  After  an  enforced  idleness  of  five  months, 
the  men  secured  a victory. 

In  May,  the  miners  of  the  Guernsey  division  of  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  railroad  struck  to  secure  the  Hocking  Valley 
prices  for  inside  day  men.  This  affair  proved  disastrous  to 
our  organization.  The  operators,  assisted  by  the  treacheiy 
and  deceit  of  some  hirelings,  succeeded  in  inducing  some  men 
to  return  to  work,  leaving  the  best  and  most  substantial  men 
to  work  out  their  own  salvation. 

On  April  1,  the  miners  of  Wadsworth,  Tuscarawas  Valley, 
struck  for  the  enforcement  of  the  Massillon  scale  of  deficient 
work  and  for  the  privilege  of  retaining  the  checkweighman 
of  their  choice.  For  years  past  this  mine  was  notorious  as  a 
non-union  mine,  the  company  having  refused  to  pay  deficien- 
cies, permit  checkweighmen  or  countenance  union  rules  or 
union  men.  After  a struggle  of  three  months’  duration,  the 
company  was  compelled  to  yield,  granting  all  the  demands. 
This  is  another  evidence  of  what  can  be  accomplished  by  a 
concentration  of  action  and  unanimity  of  purpose.  Here  we 
witnessed  the  colored  men  standing  side  by  side  with  their 
white  brothers,  yielding  neither  to  threats  or  entreaties,  but 
remaining  steadfast  until  their  objects  were  attained. 

If  there  is  any  one  thing  more  than  another  that  tends  to 
strengthen  labor  organizations  and  tends  to  enable  them  to 
cope  with  the  many  impositions  that  are  forced  upon  the 
members  by  unscrupulous  employers,  who  are  constantly 
seeking  to  avail  then'-selves  of  the  many  weaknesses  that  are 
naturally  present  at  times  in  all  organized  bodies  that  one 
thing  is  a defense  fund.  Experience  of  unions  having  sub- 
stantial funds  from  which  to  sustain  their  members  during 
periods  of  adversity,  strikes  or  lockouts,  has  given  evidence 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


165 


suiTicient  to  convince  the  most  skeptical  of  its  efficacy.  Our 
peculiar  experience,  however,  does  not  harmonize  in  that 
respect.  On  the  contrary,  we  are  more  than  ever  convinced 
that  a defense  fund  of  a national  character  is  an  absolute 
failure.  Such  has  been  its  history  in  the  past  and  will  con- 
tinue to  be  its  history  in  the  future,  becai.se  of  these  facts: 
First,  it  is  impossible  to  accumulate  a fund  commensurate 
with  the  demands  that  are  constantly  being  made  upon  it. 
Second,  the  efficacy  of  the  same  is  destroyed  by  reason  of  the 
small  amount  that  is  available  during  the  time  of  trouble,  and 
hence  it  fails  to  perform  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  intended. 
Third,  we  believe  that  each  district  should  be  given  the  unre- 
stricted right  to  accumulate  and  utilize  funds  in  such  a man- 
ner as  in  the  judgment  of  the  members  of  that  district  will 
best  serve  the  interest  and  purpose  of  the  members.  My  judg- 
ment is  that  we,  as  miners,  cannot  for  various  reasons,  hope  to 
make  a success  of  this  fund.  Neither  can  we  liberate  our- 
selves from  levies  and  assessments  which  are  so  reluctantly 
paid  while  contributing  to  this  fund.  Moved  by  the  above 
considerations,  I would  recommend  that  we  favor  a continu- 
ance of  a defense  fund,  the  same  to  be  held  and  controlled  by 
the  districts. 

Strikes  and  Arbitration. 

Experiences  of  the  past  year  bear  evidence  that  strikes  are 
an  absolute  necessity,  and  must  be  resorted  to  in  order  that  the 
rights  of  our  members  may  be  protected  and  sustained.  I am 
pleased,  however,  to  be  able  to  state  that  while  we  have  still 
some  unwise  and  unbusinesslike  operators,  who  will  concede 
nothing  other  than  that  which  they  are  compelled  to,  yet  the 
great  majority  of  our  operators  have  shown  a disposiiton  to 
deal  fairly  and  meet  your  representatives  to  adjust  the  diffi- 
culties which  in  the  nature  of  things  must  arise  from  time  to 
time,  I believe  enthusiastically  in  the  principle  of  conciliation, 
and  hence  would  recommend  that  it  be  continued  as  one  of  the 
cardinal  principles  of  our  union,  and  that  in  the  future  we  be 
more  careful  to  exhaust  all  conciliatory  measures  before 
resorting  to  strikes. 

Arbitration — (When  Fixing  or  Adjttsting  Wages). 

I view  differently  than  do  many  of  my  associates.  While 
I know  and  realize  that  it  is  an  enchanting  phrase  and  tends 
at  times  to  allure  those  to  whom  it  is  proposed,  yet  notwith- 
standing this,  I am  an  implicit  believer  in  the  potency  of  a 
strong  labor  organization.  A closing  up  of  our  ranks  will  do 
more  to  secure  justice  and  fair  play  than  all  the  arbitration 
boards  that  ever  existed  to  take  advantage  of  the  laborers’ 
weakness  while  ostensibly  proposing  justice. 


166 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Equalisation  of  Day’s  Wages. 

Another  year’s  experience  in  the  field  only  tends  to 
strengthen  the  observation  made  by  your  officers  one  year  ago, 
that  to  establish  a uniform  rate  of  day  wages  was  absolutely 
impossible.  Our  views  have  been  more  than  justified  the  past 
year.  Owing  to  the  dissimilarity  in  conditions,  together  with 
the  refusal  on  the  part  of  the  day  men  to  join  our  union,  makes 
it,  in  my  estimation,  useless  to  exhaust  our  strength  in  that 
direction.  I would,  therefore,  recommend  the  formulation  of 
a graded  scale  to  harmonize  with  the  different  conditions  that 
exist  in  the  various  districts. 

Mining  Machinery. 


The  tendency  of  the  age  is  to  substitute  machinery  for 
hand.  This  is  noticeably  so  in  our  business,  and  every 
day  machines  are  increasing  in  numbers  and  improving  in 
efficiency.  The  displacement  of  hand  by  this  method  has  only 
begun.  It  is  matterless  if  we  approve  or  disapprove.  My 
judgment  is  that  mining  machinery  is  but  in  its  infancy,  and 
hence  we  should  prepare  ourselves  to  yield  with  as  much  grace 
as  possible  to  the  inevitable,  and  turn  our  attention  to  secur- 
ing the  best  terms  possible.  That  the  conditions  surrounding 
machine  miners  is  unfair  and  unjust  no  one  conversant  with 
said  conditions  will  attempt  to  deny.  The  arrangements  made 
at  our  last  convention  in  reference  thereto  were  not  carried 
out,  owing  to  the  peculiar  combination  of  circumstances  that 
led  up  to  the  memorable  disappointment  of  May  1.  Again  the 
machine  miners  are  here  asking  your  aid  and  assistance  in 
procuring  to  them  a fair  and  equitable  adjustment  of  their 
scale  in  order  that  they  may  secure  prices  commensurate  with 
the  work  performed,  and  that  you  as  pick  men  may  enjoy  a 
fair  share  of  the  work  that  is  to  be  done  during  the  year  to 
come. 

Deficient  Work. 

As  an  organization,  we  should  aim  to  adjust  prices  so  as 
to  guarantee  each  and  every  locality,  as  far  as  possible,  a fair 
opportunity  of  compensation  with  their  neighbors.  It  is,  how- 
ever, manifestly  unfair  that  we,  as  miners,  should  bear  the 
whole  burden  that  naturally  obtains  by  reason  of  impurities 
in  the  veins  of  coal,  and  other  imdesirable  but  natural  ad- 
vantages. Hence,  I would  recommend  that  there  be  estab- 
lished a deficient  scale,  such  as  now  exists  in  certain  localities 
in  Ohio,  and  that  the  same  be  formulated  and  presented  to  our 
national  convention,  with  instructions  to  introduce  the  same 
throughout  this  competitive  field. 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


167 


Overweight. 

A constant  cause  of  complaint  is  the  system  practiced  in 
various  localities  whereby  the  operators  appropriate  all  the 
coal  in  excess  of  a certain  limit.  While  we  recognize  that 
there  should  be  some  security  to  the  companies’  property,  yet 
we  deny  their  right  to  confiscate  our  product  in  the  manner 
in  which  it  is  done.  I would  again  recommend  the  establish- 
ment of  a fund  to  be  controlled  by  a committee  at  the  various 
mines,  the  revenues  derived  from  this  source  to  be  applied  to 
the  relief  of  members  in  good  standing  who  might  be  so  unfor- 
tunate as  to  become  disabled  while  at  work  in  or  around  the 
mines. 

Shorter  Hours. 

The  demand  for  shorter  hours  has  arisen  among  the  min- 
ing craft,  not  so  much  from  the  conviction  that  their  present 
hours  are  injurious  to  health  (though  in  many  cases  that  is 
true),  not  so  much  from  the  theory  that  shorter  hours  means 
higher  wages  (though  that  claim  is  sound),  but  from  the 
strangely  felt  desire  for  additional  opportunities  for  recrea- 
tion and  the  enjoyment  of  life.  Incidentally,  the  eight  hours 
may  lead  to  higher  wages,  also  it  may  benefit  our  health  as 
miners.  Both  considerations  should  present  themselves  to 
each  and  every  man  who  toils  in  our  mines ; but  the  real  force 
that  gives  vitality  to  the  movement  is  the  longing  for  a 
brighter  and  a fuller  life.  Miners  are  everywhere  growing 
tired  of  being  regarded  as  working  slaves.  We  wish  some 
enjoyment  as  well  as  labor.  On  the  other  hand  we  have  hun- 
dreds of  idle  miners  denied  the  opportunity  of  work  because 
they  are  overworked.  By  reducing  hours,  room  will  be  made 
and  thousands  of  our  idle  brothers  will  be  absorbed  and  given 
the  much  desired  opportunity  of  earning  a sustenance  for 
themselves  and  families.  Again,  eight  hours  means  employ- 
ment and  bread  for  thousands  that  are  idle  and  hungry.  It 
means  an  effectual  cure  for  the  enforced  idleness  of  men  ren- 
dered so  by  the  rapid  development  of  machinery.  It  means  a 
certain  increase  of  wages  by  stopping  competition  between 
employed  and  unemployed.  These  are  briefly  some  of  the  ad- 
vantages to  be  secured  by  the  eight-hour  workday. 

The  failure  on  the  part  of  the  miners  of  the  United  States 
to  inaugurate  the  fight  for  the  establishment  of  the  eight-hour 
workday  on  May  1,  as  had  been  anticipated,  has  naturally 
caused  men  to  inquire  as  to  the  reasons.  Like  the  balance  of 
my  craft,  I was  full  of  hope  and  expectation,  only  to  have 
these  hopes  dashed  and  my  expectations  blighted.  Yet,  not- 
withstanding the  disappointment,  we  are  still  sanguine  of 
ultimate  success.  But  whether  that  success  can  be  obtained 


168 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


unassisted  by  our  organization,  is  extremely  doubtful.  My 
judgment  is  that  the  hope  of  securing  the  shorter  workday 
by  our  organization  alone  is  fictitious,  and  hence  I would  rec- 
ommend that  our  energies  and  resources  be  bent  to  securing 
the  passage  of  a law  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
declaring  that  eight  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work  in  and 
around  the  mines. 


Weighing  Coal  Before  Screening. 

If  there  is  any  practice  about  our  mines  that  is  more  railed 
at  or  more  blamed  than  another,  it  is  the  system  of  screening 
coal.  There  has  been  a constant  agitation  looking  to  the 
abolition  of  screens,  or  the  establishment  of  the  system  of 
weighing  coal  as  it  comes  from  the  mines.  I have  always  held 
that  the  proper  place  to  seek  redress  from  this  evil  is  from  the 
legislators  of  our  state,  because  we  shall  not  be  asked  to  strike 
for  the  procurement  of  that  which  it  is  the  function  and  duty 
of  the  state  to  grant  us.  I would  recommend  that  this  con- 
vention demand  from  the  present  legislators  the  passage  of 
such  a law.  In  this  you  have  the  hearty  co-operation,  and  we 
are  guaranteed  the  enthusiastic  support,  of  all  organized  crafts 
in  Ohio. 

Changes  i/ii  the  Constitution. 

Experiences  of  past  years  have  demonstrated  that  it  is  un- 
wise and  injurious  to  our  cause  to  announce  to  the  world  our 
contemplated  actions,  I would  recommend  that  you  change 
your  constitution  and  time  of  holding  our  convention  until 
April,  thus  removing  the  possibilities  of  the  operators  fore- 
stalling our  movements. 

I would  recommend  the  abolition  of  the  auditor’s  office,  the 
same  being  unnecessary. 

I would  recommend  in  its  stead  a committee  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  meet  two  or  three  days  prior  to  the  convening  of 
the  convention,  to  audit  the  books  and  pass  upon  all  creden- 
tials, thus  saving  time  and  money  to  our  constituents. 

I would  recommend  changing  our  constitution  authorizing 
the  section  to  make  a weekly  report  instead  of  quarterlj^  as  at 
present. 

I would  recommend  that  the  initiation  fee  be  made  not  less 
than  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents. 

During  my  official  connection  with  the  organization  I have 
done  mj^  duty  as  I understood  it.  With  what  ability  I pos- 
sessed I have  sought  to  advance  the  cause  and  promote  the 
interest  of  my  craft,  and  what  has  been  lacking  in  me  in 
ability  I hope  I will  be  given  credit  for  having  attempted  to 
make  up  in  the  fervor  with  which  I have  espoused  our  common 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


169 


interest  and  in  the  sincerity  with  which  I have  tried  to  per- 
form the  functions  of  the  honorable  position  to  which  the 
miners  of  Ohio,  two  years  ago,  were  pleased  to  elevate  me. 
The  feebleness  of  my  performance  may,  perhaps,  be  pardoned 
in  consideration  of  the  noble  objects  we  have  had  in  view.  A 
man  can  only  put  into  his  work  what  is  in  him.  If  what  I 
have  put  into  our  work  has  been  pronounced  unworthy  of  the 
great  task  undertaken,  we  are  content  to  retire  with  the  poor 
merit  of  good  intentions  and  to  leave  to  abler  men  the  sub- 
stantial merit  of  effectively  promoting  the  cause.  And  I de- 
sire to  state  that  I am  extremely  thankful  to  members  and 
officers  for  the  many  acts  of  kindness  shown  me  during  my 
administration,  and  let  me  assure  you  that  in  my  retirement 
I will  be  ever  ready  and  willing  to  do  what  I can  for  the  inter- 
est of  the  organization  and  its  members. 

And  now,  my  friends,  in  terminating  our  official  relations, 
I most  earnestly  enjoin  you  to  give  to  my  successor  the  same 
hearty  co-operation  and  assistance  that  I will  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  thanking  you  for  having  accorded  to  me  during  the  past 
year. 

Moved,  that  the  address  become  a part  of  the  proceedings. 
Adopted. 

Report  of  the  secretary-treasurer: 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention: 

In  compliance  with  our  accustomed  rules  and  regulations, 
I have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  and  through  you  to  the  mem- 
bers of  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  this 
the  second  annual  report  of  the  financial  condition  of  this  state 
association.  Quarterly  reports,  according  to  the  constitution, 
have  been  submitted  during  the  year  in  our  official  journal : 


Income. 


Total  on  hand  January  28,  1891 $1,532.84 

First  quarter  1,265.81 

Second  quarter  1,426.71 

Third  quarter  1,404.11 

Fourth  quarter 1,426.21 


Total  $7,055.68 


Expenditures. 


J.  P.  Jones,  salary  and  expenses $1,468.24 

J.  Nugent,  salary  and  expenses 1,284.05 

W.  C.  Pearce,  salary  and  expenses 1,138.30 


170 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Executive  Work. 


Joslma  Tliomas  249.40 

Edwin  James ; ; 121.9.3 

R.  L.  Davis 106.71 

Charles  Call  96.00 

Hugh  Lyncli  .3.5.20 

Edmund  Tliomas  19.10 

Jolm  Fahy  19.10 

William  Nixon  28.00 

L.  M.  Beatty 27.80 

P.  .1.  Brown 20.25 

W.  E.  Farms , 19.10 

David  Love  19.00 

Isaac  .Tones  19.00 

.J.  .T.  Penrod 16.35 

R.  C.  West 14.00 

Fred  Dileher  16.90 

L.  U.  13,  Bridgeport 1 38.35 

.James  O'Donnell  12.75 

David  Barcley 10.00 

Thomas  Winning  7. 10.00 

John  Snedden  10.70 

H.  L.  Runkle 9.85 

W.  11.  Lewis  9.85 

.1.  II.  Levering  9.85 

Thomas  Cole  6.30 

S.  A.  Wangle!’  6.30 

Cameron  Miller  6.40 

iMichael  Ratehford  9.25 

Charles  Riley  3.00 

H.  Pugh  3.00 


Miscellaneous. 


Pat.  McBryde,  defense  fund  15.85 

M.  H.  Donahue,  legal  services 53.75 

Donation  to  Pittsburg  miners 100.00 

Postage  105.46 

Stationery  and  printing 118.60 

Office  expenses — rent,  furniture,  coal,  etc 156.50 

Telegrams  45.52 

Express  charges  15.04 

Hall  rents  for  convention,  etc 32.90 

Tax,  Ohio  State  Trades  and  Labor  Assembly i 25.00 

Money  orders  and  drafts 3.76 


Total 


.85,536.43 


Total  income  from  .January  28,  1891,  to  December  31,  1891 87,055.68 

Total  expenditures  from  .January  28,  1891,  to  December  31,  1891 5,536.43 


Balance  on  hand  December  31,  1891 81,519.25 

Receipts  from  January  1 to  19,  1892 207.15 


Balance  on  hand 


.81.726.40 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


171 


The  decision  of  the  organization  not  to  strike  on  the  first 
of  May  for  the  eight-hour  day  caused  in  some  localities  quite 
an  amount  of  trouble;  those  places  that  were  well  organized 
expected  to  have  the  eight-hour  day  problem  settled,  if  they 
had  to  fight  for  the  same;  and  in  order  to  meet  the  daily  de- 
mands for  some  of  the  officers  to  explain  the  actual  condi- 
tions, the  members  of  the  board  were  sometimes  called  upon 
for  assistance  and  sent  into  the  field  to  explain  matters  to  our 
members.  While  we  have  not  had  anything  that  caused  the 
district  at  large  to  enter  into  a strike,  yet  we  have  had  very 
many  local  grievances,  some  of  which  were  very  serious  and 
critical  to  decide,  causing  many  conferences  with  the  coal 
operators  and  requiring  delegates  from  the  places  in  trouble 
to  assist  in  adjusting  the  same,  expenses  of  which  were  paid 
out  of  the  district  fund. 

My  experiences  during  the  year  with  local  and  mine  secre- 
taries have  been  most  satisfactory,  happy  and  harmonious ; 
we  have  worked  together  without  a shadow  to  disturb  our 
peace. 

In  conclusion,  I wish  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the 
uniform  kindness  and  consideration  shown  me  by  all.  We 
have  tried  to  serve  you  faithfully  and  to  give  you  our  best 
endeavors.  I can  assure  you  that  we  endeavored  to  manage 
your  financial  affairs  with  closest  economy,  prudence  and  dis- 
cretion. 

And  now  as  we  take  up  the  line  of  march  and  step  into 
the  unknown,  let  us  renew  our  efforts  in  the  cause  we  love  and 
aim  for  the  continued  success  of  our  union. 

Respectfully, 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer, 
District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

REPORT  OF  AUDITING  COMMITTEE. 

We,  your  committee  appointed  to  audit  the  books  of  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer W.  C.  Pearce,  having  complied  with  that  duty, 
beg  leave  to  state  that  the  result  of  our  examination  is  satis- 
factory in  every  particular  and  the  condition  of  the  books 
warrants  us  in  saying  that  all  receipts  and  expenditures  are 
clearly  and  systematically  set  forth  and  reflect  great  credit 
upon  our  secretary-treasurer  in  the  duties  assigned  him  dur- 
ing the  past  year. 

Committee — John  A.  Williams,  Charles  A.  Robbins,  John 
C.  Curtis,  Charles  Call,  R.  L.  Davis,  J.  L.  Sergent,  Joshua 
Thomas. 

Moved  that  the  report  become  a part  of  the  proceedings. 
Adopted. 


172 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Neither  proposition  having  had  the  necessary  majority 
the  question  of  defense  fund  was  referred  back  to  the  locals. 

Vice-President  Penna  was  introduced  and  addressed  the 
convention. 

Be  it  resolved  that  we  return  our  sincere  and  heartfelt 
thanks  to  the  Rev.  Father  Kuhns,  of  Massillon,  for  his  fair 
and  impartial  decision  rendered  against  the  breaker  system. 

Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal  and  the 
Miner’s  Independent  of  Massillon,  be  recognized  as  the  organs 
of  District  6. 

Approved. 

Motion  that  the  report  of  the  committee  on  resolutions 
be  adopted  as  a whole  and  the  committee  discharged.  Adopted. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  grievances : 

1.  Whereas,  It  has  been  reported  in  our  district  that 
mines  receiving  Hocking  Valley  prices  for  screened  coal  are 
mining  run  of  mine  coal  at  less  than  five-sevenths  the  price 
of  screened  coal,  the  price  established  in  the  Hocking  Valley ; 
therefore,  we,  your  committee,  recommend  that  no  coal  shall 
be  mined  run  of  mine,  for  less  than  five-sevenths  the  price  of 
screened  coal. 

Adopted. 

The  committee  on  constitution  suggested  amendments  for 
time  of  holding  annual  convention  in  April  instead  of  January : 
CO  elect  officers  immediately  after  organizing  the  convention; 
and  the  appointment  of  a committee  to  examine  credentials 
prior  to  the  convention,  which  were  adopted ; but  amendments 
to  increase  initiation  fee  to  $5,  election  of  officers  by  popular 
vote  instead  of  being  elected  by  the  delegates,  and  increasing 
salaries,  were  deferred. 

The  Hon.  A.  Roy,  Hon.  S.  Llewellyn,  Hon.  John  A.  Thomas 
and  John  Kane  addressed  the  convention. 

A vote  of  thanks  being  tendered  the  speakers  the  con- 
vention adjourned  to  meet  on  Friday  morning. 


District  6 Proceedings  Continued 


173 


FRIDAY,  JANUARY  22. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  with  Vice-President 
Nugent  in  the  chair. 

The  Hon,  N.  R,  Hysell  being  present  was  called  upon  and 
addressed  the  convention.  He  said  in  part:  I am  glad  to 

meet  you  all,  I am  ever  ready  to  advance  your  interests  and 
before  I would  do  anything  to  injure  the  craft  to  which  I 
belong,  I am  ready  to  go  back  to  the  pick  and  shovel. 

The  toilers  alone  need  our  sympathy,  the  millionaires  can 
do  without  it.  If  it  were  not  for  our  social  chat  and  inter- 
course with  our  fellowmen,  life  would  not  be  worth  living; 
go  out  in  the  path  you  have  marked  out;  remember  the  more 
hours  you  work  you  are  more  pliable  in  the  hands  of  your 
employers;  you  who  work  ten  hours  get  down  to  nine,-  and 
you  who  work  nine  get  down  to  eight.  The  shorter  the  hours 
a man  works  the  harder  he  is  to  handle.  Keep  your  ranks 
solidified  and  intact;  build  up  your  organization,  and  my 
prayer  will  always  be:  “May  success  crown  your  efforts.” 

President  Jones  in  a few  well-chosen  remarks  introduced 
Governor  McKinley  who  said  it  was  a great  pleasure  for  him 
to  meet  the  miners  in  convention,  although  he  was  no  stranger 
to  them.  He  was  pleased  at  the  progress  made  by  the  workers 
of  the  country,  a progress  that  could  never  have  been  at- 
tained without  organization.  He  was  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  miners,  as  a large  portion  of  the  community  in 
which  he  resided  were  engaged  in  the  coal  industry.  He  was 
well  acquainted  with  their  president,  Mr.  Jones,  and  the  highly 
efficient  chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  Mr.  McBride. 
He  understood  that  strikes  of  a general  character  were  a thing 
of  the  past  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  thanks  to  the  strength  and 
conservation  of  your  organization.  Anything  that  will  tend 
to  promote  the  interest  of  the  miners  will  have  his  hearty 
co-operation.  He  did  not  come  to  make  a speech,  he  said,  but 
to  thank  the  delegates  for  their  kind  invitation  and  to  wish 
them  success  in  their  deliberations. 

Speeches  having  been  made  by  Secretary  of  State  Hon. 
Dan  Ryan,  Senator  Eckley,  Representatives  Taylor,  Britain, 
Llewellyn  and  Thomas,  the  chair  introduced  the  Hon.  John 
McBride,  who  was  received  with  cheers,  and  said : 


174 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


It  pleased  him  to  meet  the  miners  of  Ohio.  He  might  with 
propriety  call  them  fellow  miners  although  the  room  he  oc- 
cupied in  the  state  house  had  the  advantage  of  the  ones  they 
occupied  in  the  mine ; the  air  while  not  all  that  could  be  desired 
was  much  better  than  that  of  most  of  the  miners,  and  then 
the  salary — well  he  could  assure  them  it  was  lifted  with 
commendable  regularity  and  spent  too,  for  that  matter. 

Mr.  McBride  then  referred  to  organization  as  it  used  to 
be  in  Ohio  and  touched  on  the  inter-state  agreements.  He 
then  touched  on  the  national  organization,  showed  how  absurd 
were  some  of  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  in  reference 
to  the  defense  fund,  how  they  tied  the  hands  of  the  national 
executive  board  and  then  made  them  responsible  for  some- 
thing they  could  not  do.  After  referring  to  the  late  strike 
in  Indiana,  he  analyzed  the  coal  trade  of  this  competitive  field 
as  shown  by  the  statistics  of  the  Chicago  market.  He  gave  a 
very  interesting  and  at  the  same  time  an  instructive  review  of 
the  changing  and  changeable  conditions  of  the  coal  trade  in 
this  competitive  field  as  furnished  by  the  Chicago  market  re- 
port, which  covers  the  shipments  from  the  different  sections  of 
this  competitive  field. 

In  1890,  Illinois  shipped  to  the  Chicago  market  1,709,368 
tons,  and  in  1881,  1,684,618  tons,  a loss  of  14,750  tons.  In 
1890,  Ohio  shipped  434,390  tons,  while  in  1891  the  shipments 
amounted  to  496,049  tons,  an  increase  of  61,659  tons.  In  1890, 
Indiana  shipped  1,381,896  tons  and  in  1891,  1,405,120  tons,  a 
decrease  of  76,776  tons.  West  Virginia  and  Kentucky  in  1890 
shipped  128,012  tons  and  in  1891,  140,829  tons,  an  increase 
of  12,817  tons. 

The  review  of  last  year’s  coal  production  shows  that  Ohio, 
Pennsylvania,  West  Virginia  and  Kentucky  each  increased 
their  shipments  to  Chicago,  whereas  Indiana  and  Illinois,  both 
of  which  had  made  the  great  increase  at  the  expense  of  other 
states  during  1888,  1889  and  1890,  suffered  a loss. 

The  loss  in  Illinois  by  reason  of  strikes  up  to  September  1 
amounted  to  87,727  tons,  but  by  reason  of  strikes  in  the 
Pittsburg  and  Indiana  districts  in  October,  November  and 
December,  Illinois  increased  her  shipments  over  the  same 


Closing  Session  of  District  6. 


175 


months  in  1890  by  72,977  tons,  thus  making  the  entire  loss 
during  the  year  only  14,759  tons. 

The  Pittsburg  strike  in  September  and  October  caused  a 
falling  off  in  the  Pennsylvania  shipments  of  11,544  tons,  but 
the  strike  in  Indiana  allowed  the  Pennsylvania  fields  to  in- 
crease their  shipments  in  November  and  December  32,485  tons. 

Indiana  up  to  October  had  increased  her  shipments  over 
1890  by  108,183  tons,  but  the  strike  caused  a falling  off  of 
184,959  tons,  or  a total  loss  to  the  state  of  76,776  tons  during 
the  year. 

While  Indiana  lost  184,959  tons  during  the  strike  the 
other  states  profited  by  her  loss. 

Ohio  had  an  increase  of  50,127  tons,  Illinois,  62,265  tons; 
Pennsylvania,  32,488  tons,  and  West  Virginia  and  Kentucky 
an  increase  of  11,146  tons,  or  a total  gain  of  146,023  tons  by 
the  five  states  and  only  left  a deficiency  in  the  Indiana  product 
of  28,836  tons,  as  compared  to  that  of  1890  and  this  shortage 
was  more  than  made  good  by  an  increase  of  12,702  tons  in 
the  shipments  of  coke  and  11,849  tons  of  anthracite  coal. 

There  are  two  lessons  that  can  be  learned  by  the  figures, 
the  absurdity  of  a strike  in  one  part  of  the  country  without 
at  least  restriction  in  other  fields,  and  the  necessity  of  a de- 
fense fund  to  carry  on  systematic  warfare.  It  has  long  been 
recognized  that  southern  Illinois  is  the  key  to  the  situation 
and  if  the  miners  of  Ohio  were  to  advance  they  must  carry 
the  war  into  the  enemy’s  territory.  He  did  not  feel  in  a con- 
dition to  make  a speech  but  thanked  them  for  their  invitation 
to  address  them. 

The  chair  declared  the  convention  adjourned  as  the  time 
for  dinner  had  arrived. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Whereas,  Our  President,  John  P.  Jones,  declines  to  permit 
the  use  of  his  name  as  a candidate  for  re-election  to  the  presi- 
dency of  district  6 of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  his  voluntary  retirement  from  the  presi- 
dency of  the  Ohio  miners,  we  have  lost  a faithful,  efficient, 
and  worthy  officer,  and  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  President  Jones  a vote  of  thanks 
for  his  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  to  the  delegates  to  this 
convention  and  on  behalf  of  the  miners  of  Ohio,  be  it 


176 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  while  we  submit  reluctantly  to  President 
Jones’  purpose  to  retire  from  the  presidency  of  our  organ- 
ization, we  do  so  hoping  that  his  experience  and  ability  will 
be  available  to  us  and  the  miners  of  the  United  States  in  a 
wider  field,  and  in  a more  extensive  field ; be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  endorse  J.  P.  Jones  for  a position  on  the 
national  executive  board  and  that  we  instruct  our  representa- 
tives to  the  national  convention  to  carry  out  the  intent  of  this 
resolution. 

A telegram  was  read  from  Chris  Evans  as  follows: 

Accept  congratulations  for  success  in  your  deliberations 
and  may  the  miners’  organization  of  the  Buckeye  State  still 
retain  its  former  prestige  and  lead  the  vanguard  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Motion  to  proceed  to  the  election  of  officers. 

At  this  point  the  Hon.  R.  M.  Haseltine  and  John  Short 
addressed  the  convention  and  the  same  was  listened  to  verj’ 
attentively. 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS. 

The  Chair  then  appointed  as  tellers,  John  Williams, 
Thomas  Simister  and  Hugh  Lewis,  who  reported  the  following 
officers  elected : 

John  Nugent,  President;  Cameron  Miller,  Vice-President; 
W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

Members  of  Executive  Board: 

John  Fahy,  Charles  Call,  R.  L.  Davis,  Joshua  Thomas, 
William  Fitzgerald. 

Motion — That  the  executive  board  be  selected  to  attend 
the  joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators.  Carried. 

Motion — That  John  Nugent  and  John  Fahy  attend  the 
Industrial  conference  to  be  held  at  St.  Louis  in  Februaiy, 
1892. 

The  following  delegates  were  elected  to  attend  the  Ohio 
Trades’  Assembly:  J.  P.  Jones,  W.  C.  Pearce,  C.  Call. 

Motion — That  the  officers  of  district  6 pay  per  capita  tax 
to  the  Ohio  Trades  and  Labor  Assembly.  Carried. 

The  convention  then  adjourned,  to  meet  on  the  second  Tues- 
day in  April,  1893. 


Second  National  Convention 


177 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

SECOND  ANNUAL  MEETING  OF  THE  UNITED  MINE 
WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  February  9,  1892. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  with  President  John 
B.  Rae  in  the  chair. 

W.  C.  Pearce  was  appointed  assistant  secretary. 

REPORT  OF  CREDENTIALS  COMMITTEE. 

The  credentials  committee,  Dan  Lennon,  John  Horn,  and 
P.  H.  Donnelly,  reported  the  following  delegates  entitled  to 
seats  in  the  convention : 

District  2 : P.  McBryde,  E.  D.  Davis,  Thos.  McEvoy,  T.  A. 
Bradley,  Dan  Lennon,  James  White,  Joseph  Williams,  Samuel 
Hunter. 

District  3:  Thomas  Haggerty. 

District  5:  George  Fletcher,  Peter  Sample,  Michael  Mc- 
Quade,  John  Costello,  Matthew  Pistorius. 

District  6:  Thomas  McGough,  Lewis  Long,  James  F. 
Gallagher,  J.  W.  Butterworth,  Samuel  Conrad,  James  M. 
Banks,  H.  B.  Jones,  R.  Weymueller,  Landy  Steenrod,  Joseph 
B.  Hier,  Sherman  Glasgow,  S.  E.  Holt,  Joseph  Bell,  John  E. 
Seaverd,  M.  Ratchford,  Hiram  Deem,  W.  E.  Applegarth,  Ed 
Abrams,  C.  T.  Barnett,  Morgan  Lewis,  John  Nugent,  George 
Craig,  Bernard  Fuller,  Charles  Bailey,  Thomas  McMahan, 
James  Sargent,  William  Embelton,  Fred  Dilcher,  John  Fahy, 
Peter  Dickerhoff,  W.  H.  Crawford,  Thomas  Winning,  John  N. 
Davis,  J.  P.  Jones,  Joseph  Curran,  Zena  Emery,  Eugene 
Taiclet,  Jesse  Devore,  Henry  Vincent,  Nimrod  Landy,  John  P. 
Williams,  Michael  Jackson,  William  E.  Farms,  Hugh  Mc- 
Kenna, Cameron  Miller,  Morgan  Evans,  William  Lemott, 
Davis  Mason,  John  E.  Morgan,  S.  A.  Wangler,  John  Mclnerny, 
John  Horn,  Joshua  Thomas,  R.  L.  Davis,  Robert  Burden, 
James  Pritchard,  W.  C.  Pearce,  J.  H.  Lovsey,  M.  Herrington, 
William  C.  Brown,  A.  Levering,  T.  F.  Morarity,  Thomas 


178 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Dando,  Asa  Robinson,  George  Aichele,  Charles  Williams, 
William  Meadows,  Jonathan  Coslett. 

Pomeroy  District:  F.  G.  Jones,  Thomas  Carroll. 

District  11:  Winfield  Sponsler,  Simpson  Newport,  M. 

Comesky,  John  H.  Kennedy,  Samuel  Amour,  William  Van 
Horn,  James  L.  Summers,  James  Roe,  George  Taylor,  R.  S. 
Mann,  P.  H.  Penna,  John  Kane,  John  Templeton,  Samuel 
Cooper. 

District  12:  James  R.  Monaghan,  J.  W.  Crawford,  John 
Jasper,  M.  J.  Goings,  P.  H.  Donnelly,  James  D.  Courtney. 

District  13:  Julius  Fromm. 

District  17:  Jerry  Meade,  Samuel  Binns,  William  Burch, 
David  Kidder,  Elisha  Donnelly,  P.  J.  Hackett,  James  E.  Hall, 
Thomas  Farry. 

District  19:  W.  C.  Webb,  G.  McClelland,  William  R. 

Reilly. 

Moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  adopted  and  the 
committee  continued.  Adopted. 

President  Rae  informed  the  delegates  that  arrangements 
had  been  made  with  Governor  McKinley  and  Mayor  Karb  of 
Columbus  to  welcome  the  delegates,  and  appointed  P.  H.  Don- 
nelly of  Illinois  and  John  Nugent  of  Ohio  to  wait  on  Governor 
McKinley,  and  P.  H.  Penna  and  Thomas  Farry  to  escort  Mayor 
Karb  to  the  convention. 

The  chair  then  appointed  the  following  committee : 

Order  of  business — T.  A.  Bradley,  Pennsylvania;  Michael 
Ratchford,  Ohio ; W.  E.  Farms,  Ohio ; Simpson  Newport,  Indi- 
ana; John  Jasper,  Illinois;  Jerry  Meade,  West  Virginia. 

GOVERNOR  MCKINLEY’S  ADDRESS. 

I have  run  away  for  a moment  from  my  official  duties  to 
give  you  greeting  and  to  welcome  you,  the  representatives  of 
the  miners,  to  our  state’s  capital  city.  There  is  nothing  too 
good  for  you  in  Ohio;  we  feel  honored  and  gratified  to  have 
you  in  our  midst  today.  You  represent  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful and  most  important  interests  in  this,  the  greatest  iron 
producing  country  of  the  world ; your  product  furni.shes  the 
motive  power  which  creates  the  great  wealth  of  our  country. 
There  is  coal  mined  in  25  states  of  the  Union,  the  coal  area 
is  300,000  square  miles,  the  entire  coal  area  of  the  world 
is  400,000,  so  that  we  represent  three-fourths  of  the  whole. 


Second  National  Convention 


179 


In  1850  we  mined  but  7,250,000  tons  of  coal,  in  1880  we  had 
increased  to  71,000,000.  Last  year  our  production  had 
reached  over  100  million  tons.  We  have  zinc  and  lead  £ind 
gold  and  silver  and  nickel  and,  although  it  was  once  said 
that  we  had  no  tin  in  this  country,  that  it  all  came  from  Great 
Britain  or  the  Straits  of  Malacca,  yet  tin  has  been  found  in 
the  Dakotas,  California  and  in  two  or  more  Southern  states. 
The  more  tin  is  manufactured  the  more  coal  will  be  used,  the 
more  men  wanted  to  mine  it  and  the  more  wages  will  be  paid. 
We  have  got  everything  in  this  country,  like  the  sign  in  the 
variety  shops,  “Anything  you  can’t  see,  just  call  for  it.”  It  is 
a great  industry  you  represent,  and  the  third  state  in  coal 
production  in  the  United  States  bids  you  welcome.  I am  glad 
to  meet  you  this  morning  but  will  not  longer  delay  you  in 
the  business  which  has  called  you  together. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  governor’s  remarks,,  which  were 
received  with  cheers  by  the  convention,  his  excellency  with- 
drew, and  the  convention  was  about  to  proceed  to  business 
when  Mayor  Karb  arrived.  He  addressed  the  convention  in 
a few  well-chosen  remarks. 

The  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  reported  that 
the  convention  convene  at  9 a.  m.,  recess  from  12  to  1 :30  p.  m. 
and  adjourn  at  5 p.  m. ; that  Cushing’s  Manual  be  the  guide 
for  business  transacted  in  all  cases  of  parliamentary  dispute. 

The  president  appointed  the  following  committees : 

Constitution — P.  H.  Penna,  Indiana;  W.  E.  Farms,  Ohio; 
Morgan  Lewis,  Ohio;  George  Fletcher,  Pennsylvania;  W.  C. 
Webb,  Kentucky;  Elisha  Donnelly,  West  Virginia;  M.  J.  Go- 
ings, Illinois. 

Resolutiotis — Fred  Dilcher,  Ohio;  Dan  Lennon,  Pennsyl- 
vania; M.  Jackson,  Ohio;  William  Van  Horn,  Indiana;  James 
E.  Hall,  West  Virginia;  Joseph  Williams,  Pennsylvania,  John 
Jasper,  Illinois. 

Grievance — Michael  Ratchford,  Ohio;  Thomas  McGough, 
Ohio;  Thomas  McEvoy,  Pennsylvania;  Simpson  Newport,  In- 
diana; William  Burch,  West  Virginia;  Thomas  Carrol,  Pome- 
roy, Ohio ; J.  W.  Crawford,  Illinois. 

Officers’  Report — James  White,  Pennsylvania;  John  Cos- 
tello, Pennsylvania;  Joshua  Thomas,  John  Nugent,  Ohio;  J. 
H.  Kennedy,  Indiana;  J.  R.  Monaghan,  Illinois;  George  B. 
McClelland,  Tennessee. 


180 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Officers’  Salaries — John  P.  Jones,  James  Pritchard,  Ohio; 
E.  D.  Davis,  Pennsylvania;  Thomas  Haggerty,  Pennsylvania; 
George  Taylor,  Indiana;  P.  H.  Donnelly,  Illinois,  Thomas 
Farry,  West  Virginia. 

Finance  onid  Defense  Fund — Julius  Fromm,  Iowa;  John 
Templeton,  Indiana;  John  Fahy,  Cameron  Miller,  Ohio; 
Thomas  Bradley,  Pennsylvania;  W.  R.  Reilly,  Tennessee;  M. 
McQuade,  Pennsylvania. 

Districts — M.  Comesky,  Indiana;  Ed.  Abraham,  Jonathan 
Coslett,  Ohio;  Sam  Hunter,  Pennsylvania;  David  Kidder, 
West  Virginia;  James  Courtney,  Illinois;  Peter  Sample, 
Pennsylvania. 

Distribution — Dan  Lennon,  Pennsylvania;  James  Roe,  Ind- 
iana ; W.  Embelton,  Thomas  McEvoy. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  with  President  Rae 
in  the  chair. 

president’s  address. 

To  the  Representatives  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  Gentle- 
men : 

It  may  be  safely  said  that  this  is  the  most  reliably  repre- 
sentative convention  of  mine  workers  that  has  ever  assembled 
in  this  country,  as  the  past  year  has  been  one  that  has  tried 
men’s  souls.  The  disappointments  and  discouragements  we 
have  met  have  weeded  out  the  unstable  and  only  those  remain 
that  are  not  found  wanting.  It  will  be  the  duty  of  this  con- 
vention to  find  out  the  causes  of  the  failures  and  disappoint- 
ments of  the  past  year,  if  not  to  locate  the  blame,  at  least  to 
make  such  provision  as  shall,  as  far  as  possible,  prevent  a 
recurrence.  It  would  be  out  of  place  for  me  to  recommend  any 
definite  policy,  yet  I think  it  eminently  proper  that  I should 
receive  your  careful  consideration.  The  first  of  these  is  the 
question  of  organization;  no  more  important  question  will 
demand  your  attention.  As  the  stream  cannot  rise  above  its 
fountain,  so  the  numerical  strength  of  an  organization  very 
largely  determines  its  influence  and  work.  The  startling  fact 
that  out  of  300,000  miners  and  mine  laborers  in  the  United 
States,  less  than  one-sixth  are  organized,  should  commend 
serious  thought.  Until  a working  force  of  sufficient  stren^h 
can  be  obtained  we  must  labor  under  very  serious  difficulties. 
Besides  finding  out  the  causes  for  the  small  membership  the 


Second  National  Convention 


181 


whole  force  of  the  organization  should  be  devoted  to  mission- 
ary work.  What  can  Central  Pennsylvania,  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio  and  Indiana  hope  for,  with  Illinois,  Maryland, 
and  West  Virginia  as  they  are  now?  To  bring  those  fields 
into  line  is  the  question  of  the  hour.  Until  this  is  done  but 
little  progress  can  be  made. 

Constitution. 

Labor  organizations  are  frequently  injured  by  unwise  con- 
stitutional provisions.  I have  an  inherent  dread  of  too  ranch 
law.  The  tendency  of  conventions,  to  embody  in  the  constitu- 
tion provisions  restricting  executive  officers  as  if  their  tenden- 
cies were  criminal  and  inimical  to  the  welfare  of  the  members 
should  be  avoided.  Of  this  class  is  the  last  clause  of  Section  2, 
Article  IV,  of  the  constitution  and  should  be  repealed.  An 
examination  of  the  secretary-treasurer’s  report  will  show  that 
the  clause  referred  to  has  caused  an  outlay  of  thousands  of 
dollars  that  have  been  worse  than  wasted.  Elect  to  office 
men  whose  integrity  and  devotion  to  labor  are  unquestioned, 
men  of  common  sense  and  business  capacity  and  then  leave 
them  as  untrammeled  as  possible.  Section  3 of  Article  III 
of  the  constitution  is  too  indefinite  and  should  be  amended. 

Revenue. 

One  of  the  chief  elements  of  strength  or  weakness  in  an 
organization  is  the  amount  of  money  available  on  which  to  do 
business.  It  is  no  exception  in  this  respect  to  other  business 
houses.  It  would  be  very  unwise  to  abolish  what  is  now  known 
as  “The  Defense  Fund.”  The  real  cause  of  dissatisfaction  is 
its  inade(Juacy.  Too  much  is  also  expected  of  it.  The  defense 
of  prices  and  enforcement  of  scale  rates  are  questions  in  which 
employer  and  employed  are  mutually  interested.  In  Eng- 
land, mine  operators  realize  this  and  consequent  responsibility, 
and  do  their  share.  The  time  has  come  when  the  help  and 
co-operation  of  a large  number  of  our  employers  can  be  se- 
cured. This  should  be  done.  We  should  be  prepared  to  do 
our  share.  Instead  of  abolishing  the  defense  fund  adopt  such 
means  as  will  make  it  more  efficient.  Don’t  expect  your 
officers  to  do  great  things  on  nothing. 

Strikes. 

While  I realize  that  the  time  has  not  come  when  strikes 
will  be  unnecessary,  our  experience  during  the  year  tends  to 
emphasize  the  sentiment  of  John  Burns,  the  great  English 
labor  leader,  that  workmen  are  inclined  to  trust  more  to 
strikes  than  the  conditions  will  warrant.  “Combined  capital, 
when  it  is  to  its  interest  to  do  so,  can  defeat  any  labor  organ- 
ization in  the  world.”  We  have  had  four  notable  strikes  dur- 


182 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ing  the  year,  besides  quite  a number  of  local  ones  of  more  or 
less  consequence.  The  four  were  notable,  (1)  because  they 
should  never  have  taken  place,  (2)  yet  involving  entire  dis- 
tricts, and  were  more  general  in  those  districts  than  any 
former  ones  had  been,  (3)  all  were  failures.  The  coke  strike 
was  the  natural  harvest  from  the  seed  sown  in  that  district 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  previous  year,  and  was  forced 
upon  us  with  all  its  consequences  by  the  last  convention.  The 
Iowa  strike  was  the  result  of  the  inexperienced  buoyancy  of 
a young  organization  in  connection  with  the  complications  of 
the  1st  of  May.  The  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  strike  was  the 
legitimate  outgrowth  of  the  selfishness  that  disrupted  the 
inter-state  movement.  The  Indiana  strike  was  something 
similar,  and  had  this  in  addition : The  undue  advantage  taken 
by  the  block  coal  operators  at  a time  when  the  men  were  at 
their  mercy.  All  of  these  strikes  placed  your  officers  in  most 
humiliating  positions ; made  a system  of  special  pleading 
necessary  that  under  no  circumstances  could  we  again  become 
parties  to.  These  strikes  also  demonstrate  the  hopelessness 
of  sectional  strikes,  and  the  necessity  of  making  sure  that, 
before  a strike  is  inaugurated,  we  should  be  sure  that  the 
conditions  are  favorable. 

Screens. 

Considerable  progress  has  been  made  during  the  year 
toward  solving  the  screen  question.  It  is  better  understood, 
greater  unanimity  prevails,  and  many  of  the  obstacles  have 
been  removed.  Favorable  legislation  has  been  obtained  in 
Illinois,  Indiana  and  West  Virginia.  Penns3dvania  had  all 
the  legislation  necessary.  A gross  weight  law  should  be 
passed  in  Ohio  and  I think  can  be,  if  properly  pressed.  The 
present  year  should  see  the  system  of  weighing  coal  before 
screening  generally  adopted. 

Eight  Hours. 

Under  this  caption  the  question  of  a shorter  workday' 
is  now  considered.  I shall  not  undertake  to  discuss  compli- 
cations of  May  1 in  this  report,  as  too  much  space  would  be 
required.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  unhappj^  experiences  of 
that  period  demonstrated  that  the  miners  were  not  readj'  for 
such  a movement  as  would  bring  success.  The  real  difficulties 
to  be  met  are  also  better  known.  Nevertheless  we  have  made 
some  progress.  The  justness  of  the  demand  on  the  part  of  the 
miners  is  now  generally  recognized,  and  material  reductions 
in  the  hours  of  work  have  been  obtained  in  several  districts. 
My  opinion  is  that  when  we  have  things  so  that  we  can  hope 
to  enforce  an  eight-hour  workday',  we  shall  get  it  without 
trouble. 


Second  National  Convention 


183 


This  convention  will  end  the  relations  we  have  sustained 
to  each  other  during  the  past  few  years.  Those  years  have 
had  their  trials  and  disappointments,  also  their  pleasures. 
Not  the  least  of  these  are  the  harmony  that  exists  and  the 
progress  made.  Let  me  earnestly  ask  for  my  successor  a 
cordial,  undivided  support;  avoid  all  unnecessary  and  captious 
criticisms,  as  you  cannot  indulge  in  such  without  injuring 
your  organization,  generally  and  locally.  The  man  who  seeks 
notoriety  by  attacks  on  officers  is  an  enemy  to  progress.  The 
man  who  does  not  know  how  to  follow  is  totally  unfit  to  lead 
even  locally.  Your  officers’  duties  are  heavy  enough  without 
the  membership  seeking  to  increase  the  load.  In  returning 
to  you  the  trust  you  committed  to  me,  while  experiencing  a 
great  sense  of  relief,  I shall  be  none  the  less  solicitous  for  the 
progress  of  our  organization  and  the  betterment  of  our  craft. 
I need  not  say  that  in  the  future  wherever  my  lot  may  be  cast 
or  however  I may  be  employed  you  will  find  me  true  to  the 
principles  to  the  promotion  of  which  so  many  years  of  my  life 
have  been  devoted.  Deeply  grateful  for  your  suffrages,  cordial 
support  and  forbearance,  I am  yours  in  the  cause  of  labor, 

J.  B.  Rae. 

Report  of  secretary-treasurer,  which  was  as  follows,  was 
received  and  given  to  the  committee  on  distribution : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention: 

Having,  in  accordance  with  Article  2,  Section  4,  of  the 
constitution  sent  to  the  locals  an  itemized  report  of  all  moneys 
received  and  disbursed  by  me  for  three  quarters  and  as  the 
fourth  statement  will  appear  in  the  next  issue  of  the  Journal, 
which  will  be  in  the  hands  of  the  delegates  during  the  present 
session,  I have  thought  it  unnecessary  to  take  up  your  valu- 
able time  with  more  than  a general  summary. 

The  following  is  the  amount  of  all  moneys  received  and 
expended  from  February  17,  1891,  to  January  31,  1892: 

Income. 

Received  from  Robert  Watehorn .^17,570.3.3 

Percentage  of  income  for  general  purposes 10,226.91 

Income  from  sale  of  supplies,  including  percentage  frcjm  soap 

and  coffee 1,0.55.75 

Percentage  of  income  for  defense  purposes,  including  .^i2,721.65  col- 
lected for  Indiana  strike .31.902.37 

Miscellaneous  income,  including  ,$2,000  from  A.  P.  of  L 3.021.75 

Income  from  United  Mine  Workers’  .lournal 6,248.67 


Total 


,.$70,025.78 


184 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Expenditwres. 


Officers’  salaries,  organizers,  etc $10,137.14 

Supplies,  telegrams,  office  expenditures,  etc 1,575.21 

For  defense  purposes 42,158.25 

Expended  from  miscellaneous  fund 2,957.12 

United  Mine  tVorkers’  Journal 6,602.66 


Total  $63,430.38 

Balance  on  hand  January  31,  1892 $6,595.40 


Membership  and  Defense  Fund. 

Our  membership  and  defense  fund  are  so  wrapped  together 
that  it  is  impossible  to  speak  of  the  one  without  taking  the 
other  into  consideration.  When  we  last  met,  there  were  32,000 
miners  and  mine  laborers  represented  in  convention;  today, 
20,000  will  cover  our  entire  membership.  The  falling  off, 
although  large,  is  less  than  what  might  be  expected,  taking 
into  consideration  the  disturbed  state  of  the  coal  trade  and 
the  number  of  strikes  which  occurred  during  the  past  year. 
The  strike  on  the  Monongahela  river  and  Raymond  City,  West 
Virginia,  having  been  inaugurated  January  1,  1890,  were 
legacies  placed  in  the  hands  of  your  executive  board.  To 
these  the  delegates  of  the  last  convention  added  the  great 
strike  in  the  coke  regions  of  Pennsylvania.  Previous  to  the 
1st  of  May,  assistance  had  been  rendered  to  the  striking 
brothers  on  the  Monongahela  river,  the  coke  regions.  Moun- 
tain Region,  Pennsylvania;  Springfield  and  Sparta,  Illinois; 
Coshocton,  Wadsworth  and  Cambridge,  Ohio;  and  Raymond 
I City,  West  Virginia;  the  latter  place  being  recognized  as  still 
! on  strike.  The  strikes  named  not  only  cost  the  organiza- 
tion over  $20,000,  but  lost  7,000  members  in  the  coke  regions. 
Coshocton,  Sparta  or  Springfield  (with  the  exception  of  one 
local  recently  organized)  are  not  found  on  the  books  of  the 
union. 

The  deferment  of  the  eight-hour  day  was  not  followed  by 
that  peace  and  tranquillity  expected.  Many  of  our  miners 
were  forced  into  a strike.  In  Iowa,  although  but  recently 
organized,  the  miners  contended  bravely  for  the  eight-hour 
day.  Some  were  successful,  but  the  greater  number  were 
defeated.  Again  defeat  lost  us  1,000  members  aiid  cost  us 
nearly  $2,000.  In  Illinois,  the  new  laws  as  to  weighing  of 
coal,  weekly  pay  law,  et^  brought  on  a friction  between  the 
operators  and  miners  of  that  state  which  caused  months  of 
idle  time.  The  treasury  being  very  low,  we  were  unable  to 
render  them  proper  assistance.  The  miners  became  dissatis- 
fied, and  dropped  from  the  union.  We  spent  nearly  $5,000 
in  that  state,  and  lost  3,000  members.  In  the  early  part  of 
June,  there  must  have  been  30,000  miners  locked  out  or  on 


Second  National  Convention 


185 


strike,  10,000  of  which,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  were 
entitled  to  aid  from  the  defense  fund.  To  meet  this  vast 
expenditure,  it  would  be  necessary  to  have  1,004,438  members 
paying  into  the  organization.  We  were  without  the  former, 
and  it  was  impossible  to  have  the  latter,  as  not  more  than  one- 
third  of  the  number  work  in  and  around  the  coal  mines  of 
the  United  States. 

The  strikes  I have  named  were  followed  by  the  uncalled- 
for  strike  in  the  Pittsburg  district.  We  lost  members  ther,e. 
because  we  did  not  endorse  the  action  of  the  miners.  Thi^ 
strike  was  scarcely  ended  when  the  late  ill-advised  and- dis- 
astrous strike  took  place  in  Indiana.  It  is  too  early  to  contem- 
plate what  the  results  will  be.  ..-k; 

From  the  foregoing  summary  it  is  plain jdhat,  while  our 
miners  cry  for  national  organization  they  continue  to  practice 
local  methods.  , T"'.  . 

. V*  ‘ 'd. 

I have  endeavored  to  give  a plain#.,  unvarnished  statement 
as  to  our  numbers  and  the  defense  fund,  knowing  that  you, 
having  the  facts  in  your  possession,  will  make  such  provision 
as  will  prevent  a repetitio,ii^ of  those  local  troubles  which  did 
so  much  to  injure  the  organization  last  year. 

Our  Official  Organ. 

At  the  last  annual  convention,  your  committee  on  ways 
and  means  brought  in  a recommendation  that  a newspaper 
be  established  by  the  organization;  that  the  paper  be  set  on 
foot  by  money  from  the  national  treasury;  they  also  recom- 
mended that  a five-cent  levy  be  assessed  on  all  members,  and 
that  each  local  subscribe  for  at  least  one  copy  of  the  paper. 
The  recommendation  was  referred  to  the  incoming  Executive 
Board. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  recommendation,  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Board  instructed  the  president  and  secretary 
to  purchase  the  necessary  outfit,  and  proceed  with  the  publica- 
tion of  an  official  organ  to  be  called  The  United  Mine  Workers’ 
Journal.  The  Board  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  call  for  the 
five-cent  levy,  but  were  of  the  opinion  that  each  local  ought  to 
subscribe  for  at  least  one  copy.  On  April  16,  the  first  number 
of  the  paper  was  published.  From  that  time  up  to  the  present 
there  has  been  no  complaint  as  to  the  appearance  of  the  paper 
or  to  the  matter  contained  therein.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that 
much  good  has  resulted  to  the  craft  from  its  publication,  and 
believe  its  continuance  will  materially  strengthen  the  organi- 
zation. 

The  official  organ  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  ought  to  be, 
not  only  self-supporting,  but  a source  of  revenue  to  the  organi- 


186 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


zation.  Up  to  the  present  time,  if  we  calculate  from  the  stand- 
point of  dollars  and  cents,  this  is  seemingly  not  the  case. 
Looking,  however,  from  the  broad  standpoint  of  the  good  of 
the  Union,  the  basis  on  which  the  Journal  was  established,  it 
has  been  a success.  The  loss  in  dollars  is  not  as  great  as  would 
appear  at  first  glance,  as  there  has  been  a saving  to  the  organi- 
zation in  the  printing  of  balance  sheets,  circulars,  postage, 
etc.,  of  at  least  $300,  and  there  is  due  for  advertising  $467.86. 
Had  the  locals  carried  out  the  spirit  of  the  recommendation 
of  the  ways  and  means  committee,  the  balance  would  have 
been  in  favor  of  the  Journal,  as  no  less  than  four  hundred 
locals  failed  to  subscribe  for  the  paper,  although  all  of  them 
received  it  for  at  least  three  months.  As  there  was  no  con- 
stitutional provision  to  compel  them  to  pay,  I could  only  stop 
sending  the  paper. 

Much  praise  is  due  to  Samuel  T.  Croyle  for  his  untiring 
efforts  in  securing  subscribers,  as  to  that,  in  a great  measure, 
is  due  the  rapid  increase  in  our  circulation. 

On  November  1,  Brother  John  Kane  assumed  editorial 
control  of  the  Journal,  and  his  great  knowledge  of  mining 
affairs  has  placed  your  official  organ  in  the  front  rank  of 
labor  papers  in  the  country.  I heartily  recommend  that  your 
incoming  Executive  Board  be  empowered  to  make  any  addi- 
tional outlay  necessary  in  purchasing  a mailer,  type,  and  such 
other  material  as  the  rapidly  increasing  circulation  will  call 
for. 

Although  the  present  year  has  been  one  of  general  un- 
rest among  the  miners,  the  local  and  district  officials  have 
been  very  kind  and  forbearing,  and  to  them  I owe  a sincere 
debt  of  gratitude.  In  the  increased  work  of  my  office,  through 
the  establishment  of  the  Journal,  I have  been  materially 
helped  by  my  indefatigable  assistant,  Brother  George  Doug- 
las, and  to  him  I am  sincerely  thankful. 

To  those  whom  I may  have  differed  with  during  the  year,  I 
would  say  my  opinions  have  at  all  times  been  expressed  for 
what  I considered  not  only  the  best  interest  of  the  organiza- 
tion, but  of  the  miners  at  large,  and  while  desiring  to  be  on 
friendly  terms  with  all,  the  duties  of  an  official  of  a labor 
organization,  if  faithfully  performed,  will,  for  the  time  being, 
make  him  enemies.  I cannot  hope  to  be  an  exception  to  the 
rule,  and  if,  during  my  term  of  office,  I have  caused  any  feel- 
ing, I trust  it  will  fall  before  the  great  work  before  us  of 
making  the  United  Mine  Workers  the  most  powerful  organi- 
zation in  America.  P.  McBryde. 


Second  National  Convention 


187 


REPORT  OF  THE  AUDITING  COMMITTEE. 

After  making  a careful  and  thorough  examination  of  all 
books,  papers,  vouchers,  receipts,  etc.,  in  connection  with  the 
national  office,  including  the  provisional  quarterly  reports 
made  by  the  general  executive  board,  that  the  accounts  are 
not  only  correct,  but  are  positively  kept  in  a first-class,  busi- 
nesslike way,  and  in  this  connection  it  may  not  be  amiss  to 
observe  to  the  delegates  here  assembled  that  the  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America  are  to  be  congratulated  upon  the  progress 
made  toward  the  efficient  and  businesslike  management  of 
their  craft  affairs  in  an  association,  without  which  they  can 
hope  for  no  improvement.  We  congratulate  the  officers  and 
their  associates  in  the  work  of  the  office,  and  as  a matter  of 
justice  to  them  all  we  submit  that  all  work  in  its  most  minute 
and  detailed  parts  is  being  performed  in  the  most  improved 
manner. 

To  all  members  who  wish  to  see  the  detailed  statement  of 
receipts  nnd  expenditures  we  would  suggest  that  they  consult 
the  printed  quarterly  reports. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Dan  Lennon, 

John  Horn, 

P.  H.  Donnelly. 

Moved,  that  the  convention  adjourn  until  tomorrow  morn- 
ing, to  give  time  for  report  of  committees.  Carried. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  9. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  9 A.  M.,  with  Presi- 
dent Rae  in  the  chair. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved,  That  the  constitution  be  so  revised  as  to  read 
that  the  popular  vote  be  taken  on  the  election  of  officers  and 
all  important  questions,  instead  of  the  delegate  vote.  Con- 
curred in — 59  to  52. 

We  would  recommend  to  the  forthcoming  national  conven- 
tion that  the  legislative  demands  of  organized  miners  for  laws 
which  are  of  a national  character,  such  as  weekly  pay  law, 
gross  weight  law,  truck  store  law,  etc.,  be  made  the  demands 
of  the  craft  in  each  coal  producing  state  of  the  Union  before 
their  respective  legislatures,  and  the  extension  of  such  laws  to 
the  Indian  Territory  as  will  tend  to  prevent  such  disasters  as 
the  one  which  recently  took  place  at  Krebs,  Indian  Territory. 
Concurred  in. 


188 


United  Mine  Wokkers  of  America 


The  time  of  recess  having  arrived,  the  convention  ad- 
journed, to  meet  at  1:30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION, 

After  much  discussion,  the  convention  decided  that  the 
President’s  salary  should  be  $1,500,  Vice-President’s  $1,000, 
and  Secretary-Treasurer’s  $1,200  per  year,  and  the  wages  of 
Executive  Board  members,  when  engaged  in  official  service, 
$3  per  day,  with  expenses. 

On  the  election  of  officers,  W.  B.  Wilson  having  withdrawn 
as  a candidate,  John  McBride  was  elected  President;  P.  H. 
Penna  Vice-President,  and  Patrick  McBryde  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  the  latter  suggesting  that  the  salary  of  Secretary- 
Treasurer  be  fixed  at  $1,000,  which  was  finally  agreed  to. 

A telegram  having  been  read  from  President  Gompers  and 
Secretary  Evans,  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  on 
motion  it  was  accepted  and  the  President  ordered  to  make  a 
suitable  reply.  The  convention  then  adjourned. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  11. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  J.  B.  Rae. 

After  a few  grievances  reported  had  been  disposed  of,  a 
National  Executive  Board  was  elected  as  follows: 

J.  P.  Jones,  M.  F.  Moran,  W.  C.  Webb,  James  White. 

Delegates  elected  to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor 
convention:  John  McBride,  P.  H.  Penna,  W.  C.  Pearce.  Al- 
ternates, J.  A.  Crawford,  P.  McBryde,  John  Kane. 

President  Rae  said  the  time  had  come  when  he  would  avail 
himself  of  the  privilege  of  vacating  the  chair.  He  paid  a 
glowing  tribute  to  his  successor,  and  tendered  the  gavel  to 
President  John  McBride.  President  McBride  then  took  the 
chair. 

Moved,  that  we  tender  a hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  the  retir- 
ing officers,  and  that  we  elect  them  honorarj-'  members  of  our 
organization  by  a standing  vote. 

By  this  vote.  Brothers  Rae,  Wilson  and  Kane  became  hon- 
orary members  of  the  United  Mine  Workers. 

After  a few  remarks  from  Brothers  Rae,  Nugent  and  Wil- 
son, the  convention  adjourned. 


Second  National  Convention 


189 


FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  12. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  with  Vice-President 
Penna  in  the  chair. 

COMMITTEE  ON  CONSTITUTION. 

Whereas,  The  necessity  for  a better  mining  law,  to  pro- 
tect the  health  and  lives  of  mine  workers  in  the  territories  is 
most  painfully  apparent  from  the  recent  terrible  disaster  at 
Krebs,  Indian  Territory,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  intrust  our  National 
President  to  select  some  competent  representative  miner  to 
accompany  him  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  there  have  prepared 
and  presented  to  both  houses  of  our  National  Congress  “A 
bill”  the  provisions  of  which  shall  secure  the  necessary  safe- 
guards to  our  Territorial  mine  workers,  as  the  justice  and 
necessity  of  the  case  may  require. — P.  H.  Donnelly.  (Car- 
ried.) 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  have  formed  a 
co-operative  mining  company,  believing  that  only  by  that 
means  would  they  be  able  to  hold  their  organization  and  cope 
with  the  coal  combine  of  that  place;  and. 

Whereas,  the  said  coal  combine  have  used  every  effort  to 
break  down  the  organization  and  defeat  the  men;  therefore, 
be  it  - « I 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
in  convention  assembled,  heartily  endorse  the  miners  of 
Evansville  in  their  efforts  against  the  coal  monopoly. 
(Adopted.) 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  J.  Mc- 
Bride in  the  chair. 

Special  business  relations  between  Knights  of  Labor  and 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Moved,  that  the  committee  on  constitution  be  instructed 
to  put  a clause  in  the  constitution  that  Local  Assemblies  and 
Local  Unions,  when  transacting  trade  matters,  will  be  gov- 
erned by  the  constitution  of  the  U.  M.  W.  of  A.  Carried. 

FINANCE  AND  DEFENSE  FUND  REPORT. 

Whereas,  The  defense  fund  is  inadequate  to  meet  the 
requirements  for  which  it  was  created,  therefore,  we  recom- 
mend that  the  defense  fund  be  abolished  and,  owing  to  the 
increase  that  will  be  in  the  expenses  for  the  next  year,  we 
recommend  that  the  per  capita  tax  be  increased  to  10  cents 


190 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


per  month  per  member.  We  recommend  that  the  National 
Executive  Board  be  empowered  to  direct  a levy  on  all  mem- 
bers as  they  may  deem  necessary  for  men  in  trouble.  We 
recommend  that  the  defense  fund  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
Treasurer  be  used  for  general  purposes. 

Julius  Fromm, 

J.  A.  Templeton, 

W.  R.  REiLL-i, 
Cameron  Miller, 
John  Fahy, 

M.  McQuade, 

T.  A.  Bradley. 

Motion,  that  the  report  be  concurred  in. 

Amendment — That  at  least  5 cents  be  used  for  working 
purposes.  Amendment  carried. 

SATURDAY  MORNING  FEBRUARY  13. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  Vice-President  P.  H. 
Penna  in  the  chair. 

Motion,  that  the  convention  take  a recess,  in  order  to  give 
the  respective  committees  time  to  make  reports.  Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  with  President  Mc- 
Bride in  the  chair. 

Motion,  that  two  additional  members  of  the  National  Ex- 
ecutive Board  be  elected.  Carried. 

J.  A.  Crawford,  Illinois,  and  W.  Scott,  Iowa,  were  elected 
by  acclamation. 

On  motion,  President  John  McBride,  delegate  to  the  late 
convention  of  American  Federation  of  Labor,  was  called  upon 
to  report  on  the  same. 

President  McBride  having  delivered  his  report,  it  was 
moved  that  it  be  accepted.  Adopted  unanimously. 

Brother  Rae  and  Brother  Devlin,  of  the  General  Executive 
Board  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  addressed  the  convention. 

Moved,  that  we  tender  a vote  of  thanks  to  the  President 
and  Secretaries  for  their  efficient  services  during  the  conven- 
tion, to  Brother  Devlin  for  his  attendance  and  words  of  com- 
mendation during  the  convention,  and  a vote  of  thanks  to  the 
outgoing  officials.  Adopted. 


District  No.  5 Convention 


191 


Motion,  that  the  next  annual  convention  be  held  at  Indian- 
apolis. 

Amendment — That  it  be  held  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  Amend- 
ment carried. 

Resolved,  That  when  an  appeal  to  place  a boycott  is  made 
to  the  Executive  Board  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  by  a local 
or  district,  and  it  is  found  that  it  can  be  brought  to  a more 
successful  issue  by  getting  the  co-operation  of  the  General 
Assembly,  K.  of  L.  and  A.  F.  of  L.,  that  the  Executive  Board 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  submit  the  matter  to 
the  executive  officers  of  those  organizations  and  ask  their 
endorsement. 

Adopted. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  April,  1893. 

John  B.  Rae,  President, 

Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary. 

DISTRICT  No.  5 CONVENTION 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  March  8,  1892. 

Convention  called  to  order.  President  Costello  in  the  chair. 
M.  McQuade  acting  as  secretary  of  the  convention. 

National  President  McBride  and  Secretary  McBryde  were 
present  during  the  proceedings,  M.  F.  Moran,  member  of  the 
National  Executive  Board,  was  present  during  the  afternoon 
session. 

President  Costello  appointed  the  following  committee  on 
credentials:  Chas.  Wallace,  Sam  Devore,  Milt  Peters,  John 

Brown,  John  Costello. 

The  committee  reported  30  delegates  present,  the  mines  on 
the  principal  railroads  being  represented. 

President  Costello  said,  “As  the  National  President  and 
Secretary  are  present,  and  as  the  convention  was  called  by 
their  instructions,  I considered  it  my  duty  to  call  upon  Presi- 
dent McBride  to  say  a few  words  to  the  convention.” 

President  McBride  briefly  reviewed  the  history  of  the 
miners  of  the  Pittsburg  district  during  the  last  ten  years.  He 
said : “The  convention  was  called  to  see  if  the  miners  desired 
to  organize;  if  they  do,  I am  willing  to  render  all  the  aid  in 
my  power.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  you  desire  to  remain  as  at 
present,  we  do  not  propose  to  use  the  funds  subscribed  by  the 


192 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


miners  of  other  fields  in  sending  organizers  into  the  Pittsburg 
district  against  the  wishes  of  the  men.” 

He  requested  the  delegates  present  to  give  a report  as  to 
the  feelings  of  the  men  in  regard  to  organization.  With  the 
exception  of  the  delegate  from  Cincinnati  (river  mines),  the 
delegates  expressed  themselves  unanimously  in  favor  of 
organization,  but  must  have  organizers  who  could  talk  Italian, 
Slav  and  French  languages. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

First.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  joining  the  national 
organization  in  a body. 

Second.  That  we  ask  the  national  officers  for  sufficient 
organizers  to  carry  out  the  foregoing  resolution. 

A very  pleasant  afternoon  was  spent  in  discussing  the 
intricacies  of  the  coal  trade,  in  which  the  president  and  sec- 
retary took  part.  The  convention  was  the  most  harmonious 
that  has  taken  place  in  Pittsburg  for  years,  the  national 
officers  were  well  pleased  with  the  results,  and  organizers  will 
be  sent  there  immediately. 

PARTIAL  REPORT  OF  SECOND  ANNUAL  CONVEN- 
TION DISTRICT  ELEVEN. 

Evansville,  Ind.,  March  8,  1892. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  promptly  by  President 
Comesky. 

About  thirty-five  delegates  and  officers  were  present.  The 
Mayor,  on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Evansville,  tendered  the 
representatives  a hearty  welcome. 

National  Executive  Board  member,  John  P.  Jones,  at- 
tended the  first  day’s  proceedings  of  the  convention  and  ren- 
dered valuable  service  while  present  through  advice  given,  but 
was  called  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  after  making  an  eloquent 
speech  at  the  early  afternoon  session. 

National  Vice-President,  P.  H.  Penna,  was  also  present  at 
the  convention,  and  made  himself  a very  welcome  advisor 
among  his  co-workers  of  the  state  in  which  he  played  a verj' 
prominent  part. 

The  President’s  report,  together  with  that  of  the  Secre- 


The  Journal  as  an  Educator 


193 


tary,  were  both  read  to  the  delegates  and  referred  to  the 
proper  committees. 

After  the  reports  had  been  made,  and  accepted,  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year:  President 

or  Master  Workman,  M.  Comesky;  Vice-President  or  Wor- 
thy Foreman,  Frank  Lockhart;  Secretary-Treasurer,  John 
H.  Kennedy.  Members  of  District  Executive  Board : James 
Cantwell,  William  D.  Van  Horn,  Simon  Scratcher,  T.  G. 
Morgan. 

Resolutions  adopted  follow : Prohibiting  any  unorganized 
man  from  having  a voice  in  convention  or  meeting  of  United 
Mine  Workers;  That  no  salaried  officer  be  allowed  to  stump 
the  State  in  the  interest  of  any  political  party;  In  favor  of 
weekly  pay  law  and  abolishing  company  stores ; That  all  nar- 
row work  khould  be  paid  for  the  same  as  entries;  That  a 
miner  coming  from  one  place  that  is  organized  to  another  be 
made  to  produce  a clear  card  before  he  be  admitted  and  that 
if  he  gains  admission  under  false  pretenses  he  be  fined  $5; 
Resolved,  That  our  State  and  National  officers  be  authorized 
to  immediately  confer  with  the  operators  with  a view  to  call- 
ing a joint  convention  of  operators  and  miners,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  fixing  a scale  of  prices  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Amendments  were  made  to  the  district  constitution,  and 
the  convention  adjourned,  to  meet  in  Terre  Haute,  the  second 
Tuesday  in  March,  1893. 

On  April  7,  1892,  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal  com- 
pleted the  first  year  of  its  publication,  and  the  mine  workers 
profited  much  through  the  inspiring  influence  of  its  contents, 

From  an  educational  point  of  view,  its  teachings,  when 
followed,  placed  the  mine  worker  on  a higher  plane,  a value 
unsurpassed  when  the  everlasting  lessons  taught  are  meas- 
ured in  the  scale  of  real  worth. 

The  brighter  thoughts  that  have  taken  possession  of  the 
mind,  the  training  of  which  has  given  him  greater  efficiency 
and  increased  power  when  questions  of  right  are  to  be  deter- 
mined in  the  industrial  field,  have  contributed  largely  toward 
bringing  about  the  advances  made. 

The  Journal  has  made  the  mine,  worker  an  advanced 
thinker.  Its  practical  lessons  have  taught  him  to  contend  for 


194 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


leadership  rather  than  be  the  follower,  either  in  thought  or 
action,  when  necessity  calls. 

Instead  of  remaining  at  the  rear,  his  increased  knowledge 
of  affairs  has  imbued  him  with  the  spirit  to  at  least  share  in 
the  front  ranks  where  he  can  be  heard  and  his  thirst  for 
equality  more  generally  recognized. 

With  such  an  incentive,  the  mine  workers  of  the  United 
States  should  rally  round  the  speaker  for  their  rights,  the 
medium  through  which  their  voices  can  be  heard  when  wrongs 
are  being  perpetrated  and  their  ever  trusted  friend  when 
adversity  comes. 

OHIO’S  SCALE. 

AN  ADDRESS  CONTAINING  THE  SCALE  AGREEMENT. 

Corning,  Ohio,  April  8,  1892. 

To  the  Miners  and  Laborers  of  District  6,  United  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America.  Greeting: 

According  to  instructions  given  to  us  by  the  delegates  of 
the  last  national  convention,  at  a meeting  held  by  the  dele- 
gates of  District  No.  6,  during  said  convention  to  arrange  a 
conference  with  the  operators  of  Ohio  for  the  purpose  of 
adjusting  a scale  of  prices  for  the  ensuing  year,  we,  after 
careful  and  thorough  investigation  of  the  condition  of  the 
competitive  field,  and  with  the  advice  and  counsel  of  our 
national  officers,  met  in  the  City  of  Columbus,  on  Thursday, 
April  7,  in  joint  convention  with  the  operators  of  Ohio,  and 
agreed  upon  the  following : 

Resolved,  By  the  representatives  of  the  Ohio  miners  and 
operators,  in  convention  assembled,  that  the  price  for  mining 
screened  coal  in  the  Hocking  Valley,  from  May  1,  1892,  until 
April  30,  1893,  shall  be  70  cents  per  ton  and  that  the  recog- 
nized relative  prices  heretofore  existing  shall  be  paid  in  all 
other  districts  of  the  state  for  the  period  named  for  the  Hock- 
ing Valley. 

This  we  trust  will  be  satisfactory  to  all  members  of  our 
district  and  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  adopted  at  our 
last  annual  convention.  We  recommend  that  all  honorable 
means  be  applied  immediately  to  establish  scale  rates  in  eveiy 
mine  in  Ohio,  and  to  enable  us  to  accomplish  the  same  we  sug- 
gest that  all  organized  miners  in  our  district  refuse  to  admit 
into  their  locals  any  unorganized  miners,  believing  that  each 
and  every  miner  in  our  state  has  been  given  an  opportunity 
to  attach  himself  to  our  organization,  therefore,  when  they 
ignore  and  treat  with  contempt  every  effort  made  by  our 


An  Ohio  Joint  Agreement,  1892. 


195 


organization  to  bring  them  within  the  fold,  we,  in  justice  to 
ourselves,  deem  it  prudent  that  stringent  methods  be  adopted 
and  enforced  whereby  we  can  protect  ourselves  and  bring 
those  individuals  to  a full  realization  of  the  injury  done  them- 
selves, and  us,  by  their  actions.  Believing  that  the  work  done 
in  our  national  organization  by  the  earnest  and  energetic 
workers  now  in  the  field  and  the  encouraging  results  there- 
from will  place  our  craft,  by  the  time  we  assemble  again  in 
annual  convention,  nearer  the  position  we  should  enjoy. 

Fraternally  yours, 

John  Fahy, 

R.  L.  Davis, 

Wm.  Fitzgerald, 
Charles  Call, 

Joshua  Thomas, 

John  Nugent, 
Cameron  Miller, 

W.  C.  Pearce. 

Coalburg,  W.  Va.,  April  17,  1892. 

The  second  annual  convention  of  District  17  was  called  to 
order  on  above  date  by  President  M.  F.  Moran  and  H.  Stephen- 
son, Secretary. 

President  Moran  addressed  the  convention  at  length  on  the 
situation  in  general  and  urged  the  advisability  of,  and  the 
necessity  for,  a closer  unity  of  action  in  order  to  combat  the 
many  impositions  being  forced  upon  the  West  Virginia  min- 
ers, so  well  demonstrated  by  the  strikes  they  had  entered  into 
during  the  year. 

The  District  constitution  was  changed  to  conform  to  the 
National  and  officers  were  elected  as  follows : 

M.  F.  Moran,  president;  J.  J.  Wren,  vice-president;  Henry 
Stephenson,  secretary. 

Executive  Board;  Thomas  Farry,  Jacob  Young,  J.  E.  Hall, 
A.  J.  Moore. 

Convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


DISTRICT  ELEVEN— SPECIAL  CONVENTION. 

Terre  Haute,  Indiana. 

The  special  convention  of  District  11  was  called  to  order 
on  Tuesday,  April  19,  1892,  by  President  Comesky,  who  ap- 
pointed the  following  committee  on  credentials : Frank 

Periat,  Jos.  Dunkerly,  D.  Johns,  Fritz  Adams  and  Thos. 
Cooper. 

Committee  reported  and  recommended  that  the  following 
delegates  be  seated:  W.  A.  Davidson,  William  Scorer,  B. 

Stinson,  William  Van  Horn,  William  Walton,  David  Johns,  F. 
Freeman,  T.  G.  Morgan,  Simon  Scratcher,  George  Scratcher, 
Thomas  Cooper,  Frank  Periat,  E.  Brandriff,  John  Davidson, 
J.  A.  Morris,  L.  F.  Cushman,  George  Rohrig,  Jos.  Dunkerly, 
F.  Lockhart,  Fritz  Adams,  John  Mooney,  and  M.  D.  Gray. 

Report  received  and  delegates  seated. 

The  National  Executive  Board  and  District  Executive 
Board  were  present. 

The  propositions  made  by  the  coal  operators  were  then 
read  to  the  convention.  It  was  then  moved  and  seconded  that 
we  hear  the  report  of  the  delegates.  It  was  made  clear  to  the 
convention  by  the  report  of  the  delegates  that  the  miners  of 
Indiana  were  opposed  to  any  reduction  in  the  price  of  mining, 
except  at  Rosedale,  where  the  miners  had  been  led  to  believe 
that  a reduction  was  inevitable.  It  came  out  that  negotiations 
were  in  progress  and  an  agreement  partially  made  to  mine 
coal  at  that  place  for  671/2  cents  for  the  first  six  months  of  the 
year  and  70  cents  for  the  last  six  months.  When  this  was 
learned  it  was  moved  that  a committee  of  four  be  sent  to 
Rosedale  to  try  to  have  them  rescind  their  action.  The  fol- 
lowing committee  was  then  appointed:  Brothers  Dunkerly, 

Lockhart,  Johns  and  Van  Horn.  They  were  accompanied  by 
Brothers  W.  S.  Scott,  James  White,  W.  C.  Webb  and  M.  F. 
Moran,  of  the  National  Board. 

A meeting  of  the  Rosedale  miners  was  called  and  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  adopted : 


(196) 


Special  Convention  District  11 


197 


Resolved,  That  we,  the  miners  of  Rosedale,  Indiana,  do 
hereby  rescind  the  action  we  took  last  night  with  regard  to 
signing  the  .agreement  settling  the  price  to  be  paid  the  Rose- 
dale  miners,  and  that  we  instruct  our  delegate  to  notify  the 
scale  committee  in  session  now  in  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  that 
we  will  abide  by  the  action  of  the  convention.  Yeas,  34; 
nays,  22.  John  L.  Ogden,  Chairman. 

W.  S.  Scott,  Secretary. 

After  some  discussion  on  the  operators’  propositions,  it 
was  moved  and  seconded  that  we  take  them  up  and  act  on 
them  seriatim.  Carried. 

First.  To  mine  coal  for  65  cents  per  ton,  rejected,  and  in 
lieu  thereof  the  following  was  proposed:  That  we  mine 

bituminous  coal  for  451/2  cents  per  ton  gross  weight.  Amend- 
ed,that  we  mine  coal  at  last  year’s  terms,  namely,  70  cents  per 
ton,  or  its  equivalent.  Amendment  carried,  14  to  6. 

Second.  In  regard  to  semi-monthly  pay,  moved,  that  we 
reject  the  proposition.  Amended,  that  second  proposition  be 
left  in  the  hands  of  the  scale  convention.  Amendment  carried. 

Third.  As  to  reductions  in  day  wages  in  old  Second  Dis- 
trict. After  considerable  discussion  on  this  question,  it  was 
moved,  that  it  be  tabled  until  after  the  scale  committee  meet 
the  operators.  Carried. 

Fourth.  In  regard  to  check-off,  was  left  in  the  hands  of 
scale  committee  by  consent.  Moved,  that  the  President  ap- 
point a scale  committee  of  six  members.  So  ordered. 

The  following  committee  was  then  appointed : W.  N.  Wal- 
ton, W.  A.  Davidson,  John  Mooney,  Fritz  Adams,  Simon 
Scratcher,  and  Frank  Periot.  The  convention  then  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Comesky.  The 
scale  committee  was  called  on  to  report.  President  John  Mc- 
Bride reported  that  the  scale  committee  and  the  operators 
failed  to  agree,  but  afterwards  the  operators  told  him  if  some 
other  conditions  could  be  made  they  might  make  a scale  at  70 
cents,  hut  as  this  was  a very  important  matter  and  some  of  our 
delegates  absent  at  Rosedale,  a recess  was  taken.  The  conven- 
tion was  again  called  to  order  at  10 :30  a.  m.  The  delegates 
having  returned  from  Rosedale,  they  reported  what  already 


198 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


appears  in  this  report.  The  report  was  accepted  and  commit- 
tee discharged.  It  was  then  reported  to  the  convention  that 
the  operators  would  pay  70  cents  per  ton  if  the  miners  would 
accept  pay  semi-monthly  and  agree  to  equalize  the  day  wages 
by  reducing  wages  in  the  old  Second  District,  and  that  day 
wages  be  made  uniform  at  21  cents  per  hour. 

Moved,  that  we  submit  the  following  proposition  to  the 
operators : 

That  we  will  accept  $1.95  per  day,  and  that  it  be  the  uni- 
form price  throughout  the  state.  That  if  the  scale  can  be 
made  at  70  cents  per  ton  and  $1.95  per  day,  that  we  accept 
our  pay  semi-monthly.  That  the  question  of  check-olf  be  left 
in  the  hands  of  committee.  So  ordered. 

Brother  Fritz  Adams  then  resigned  from  the  scale  commit- 
tee, and  W.  D.  VanHorn  was  appointed  in  his  place.  Conven- 
tion then  adjourned. 

The  convention  was  again  called  to  order  at  3 :20  p.  m.,  by 
Vice-President  Lockhart.  The  scale  committee  reported  that 
the  operators  refused  to  recede  from  their  former  position. 

Moved,  that  we  accept  the  operators’  proposition,  namely, 
70  cents  per  ton  or  its  equivalent,  $1.90  per  day,  for  day  men, 
our  pay  semi-monthly,  and  that  the  miners  be  allowed  to  check 
off  all  dues  and  levies  of  the  organization. 

The  scale  committee  reported  that  as  some  of  the  operators 
had  gone  home,  nothing  could  be  done  until  Thursday,  April 
21st,  when  they  would  be  recalled. 

Adjourned. 

THURSDAY. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  10  o’clock,  by  President  Com- 
esky.  The  operators  not  yet  all  being  present,  it  was  moved 
we  adjourn  sine  die.  Motion  carried.  At  11  o’clock  the  agree- 
ment was  written  out  and  signed,  and  at  1 :30  p.  m.  the  same 
was  read  to  what  delegates  remained  in  the  city,  and  the  dele- 
gates and  members  of  both  boards  left  for  their  respective 
homes.  Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  H.  Kennedy, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  District  11. 

Following  is  the  agreement  for  the  year: 


Special  Convention  District  12 


199 


This  agreement,  entered  into  by  and  between  the  bitu- 
minous operators  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  party  of  the  first 
part,  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  party  of  the 
second  part, 

Witnesseth — That  the  following  scale  of  prices  shall  gov- 
ern the  operation  of  the  mines  of  said  first  party  for  one  year 
from  May  1,  1892. 

The  price  for  day  work  in  the  mine  for  practical  men  shall 
be  21-1/9  cents  per  hour. 

The  price  for  pick  mining  shall  be  70  cents  per  ton. 

The  price  for  mining  with  Harrison  or  Sargent  machines, 
including  cutting,  drilling,  shooting  and  loading,  together  with 
the  usual  care  of  room,  shall  be  as  heretofore,  52^  cents  per 
ton,  and  narrow  work  to  be  paid  for  as  at  present. 

The  price  for  mining  with  the  Legg  machine  shall  be  13 
cents  per  ton  for  rooms  and  15  cents  per  ton  for  entries. 

The  price  for  shooting  and  loading  after  Legg  machines, 
including  the  usual  care  of  rooms,  shall  be  311/^  cents  per  ton 
in  rooms  and  37  . cents  per  ton  in  entries. 

Price  for  mining  and  all  settlements  therefor  shall  be  based 
on  the  weight  of  screened  coal  or  its  equivalent. 

Payments  for  coal  mined  and  labor  performed  shall  be 
made  semi-monthly,  not  later  than  the  10th  and  25th  of  each 
month,  for  the  earnings  of  the  preceding  half  month,  respect- 
ively. 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  the  party  of  the  first  part  shall 
offer  no  objection  to  the  “check-off”  for  checkweighman  and 
for  dues  for  the  party  of  the  second  part.  Provided,  that  no 
check-off  shall  be  made  against  any  person  until  he  shall  have 
first  given  his  consent  in  writing  to  his  employer. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our 
names  and  affixed  our  seals  this  21st  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1892. 

Indiana  Bituminous  Coal  Association. 

By  J,  Smith  Talley,  Ind. 

Attest:  Wm.  E.  Eppert,  Secretary. 

M.  Comesky,  President. 

J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary,  District  11. 

Approved  by  John  McBride,  President,  and 

Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

SPECIAL  CONVENTION. 

Springfield,  Illinois,  April  19,  1892. 

Special  State  Convention  of  District  No.  12,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  met  in  the  State  House,  Springfield,  Illi- 


200 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


nois,  April  19,  at  10 :30  o’clock  a.  m.,  President  M.  J.  Goings 
in  the  chair. 

The  following  committee  appointed  on  credentials;  M.  P. 
Morris,  John  E.  Frost  and  J.  R.  Edwards,  on  making  their 
report,  found  the  following  entitled  to  seats  in  the  convention : 
Francis  McDermott,  St.  Davids;  Stephen  Bowen,  Dumferm- 
line;  Thomas  Rooken,  Edwards;  Josiah  Rodgers,  William 
Monahan,  Braidwood;  J.  A.  Crawford,  Bryant,  Braceville, 
Farmington  and  Wesley  City;  J.  R.  Edwards,  Duquoin,  L.  U. 
325,  L.  U.  166  and  L.  A.  1481 ; M.  P.  Morris,  Kingstone  mine, 
Reed  City;  Joseph  Love,  Middle  Grove;  F.  W.  Knollman, 
Centralia;  John  E.  Frost,  Cable;  M.  J.  Goings,  Eben  Howells. 

The  report  of  Secretary-Treasurer  Howells  was  read  and 
referred  to  the  auditing  committee,  who  reported  as  follows: 

Receipts  from  December  31,  1891,  to  April  16,  1892. 


From  Local  Unions  and  Local  Assemblies $187.05 

Donations — P.  McBryde,  $5 ; P . H.  Donnelly,  $5 ; 

Eben  Howells,  $5;  William  Seaife,  $2;  Richard 

Evans,  $2.  Total 19.00 

Miscellaneous  receipts  70.00 

Special  Levy  152.17 

December  31,  1891,  cash  on  hand 9.29 


Total  receipts  $437.51 

Total  disbursements 432.11 


Balance  on  hand $5.40 


Springfield,  Illinois,  April  20,  1892. 

We,  your  auditing  committee,  have  carefully  examined  the 
books  and  receipts  of  Secretary  Howells,  and  found  the  same 
correct  and  kept  in  a first-class  manner. 

Respectfully  yours, 

Stephen  Bowen, 

Josiah  Rodgers, 

Auditing  Committee. 

Committees  were  appointed  as  follows : 

Resolutions — M.  P.  Morris,  Thomas  Rooken  and  William 
Monahan. 

Constitution — J.  A.  Crawford,  J.  E.  Frost  and  J.  Love. 

Finance — J.  R.  Edwards,  Francis  McDermott,  J.  A.  Craw- 
ford, F.  W.  Knollman. 

Hon.  E.  A.  Snively,  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  on  invi- 
tation, read  the  full  text  of  the  decision  of  the  court  on  the 


Special  Convention  District  12 


201 


truck  law  case,  and  during  the  remarks  he  made  it  was  plainly 
evident  that  his  sympathy  was  with  the  mining  class.  After 
a rising  vote  of  thanks  tendered  Mr.  Snively,  the  convention 
adjourned. 

The  convention  reconvened  April  20. 

A letter  received  from  P.  H.  Donnelly,  containing  many 
good  suggestions,  was  read  and  ordered  placed  on  file. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

That  the  state  tax  of  ten  cents  per  month  remain ; that  no 
general  levy  be  ordered  for  any  general  state  purpose  until 
there  is  a marked  increase  in  the  ranks  of  the  organization; 
that  the  salary  of  the  state  president  be  $700  per  year  secre- 
tary-treasurer, $700  for  the  ensuing  year;  that  the  state 
executive  board  be  empowered  to  order  a levy  to  meet  the 
demands  of  our  organization,  when  in  their  judgment  the 
conditions  will  waTi’ant  it. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

President  or  Master  Workman — J.  A.  Crawford,  Bryant. 

Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman — James  Boston,  Du- 
quoin. 

Secretary-Treasurer — W.  J.  Guyman,  Duquoin. 

Executive  Board : First  district,  William  Monahan,  Braid- 
wood;  second  district,  Thomas  Rooker,  Edwards  Station; 
third  district,  M.  P.  Morris,  Kingston  mines;  fourth  district, 
J.  R.  Edwards,  Duquoin ; fifth  district,  Richard  Evans, 
Smithboro. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  of  the  state’s  attorney  of  St. 
Clair  county  to  further  prosecute  the  case  pending  in  the 
circuit  court  of  that  county  on  the  truck  law,  in  which  John 
C.  Harder  is  plaintiff,  and  John  Kloess  defendant. 

Resolved,  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  inter- 
view Attorney-General  Hunt  and  request  him  to  ask  the  dif- 
ferent county  attorneys  to  use  their  best  endeavors  in  defend- 
ing the  mining  laws  of  this  state,  and  to  wait  upon  the  com- 
mittees on  resolutions  of  the  Democratic  and  Republican  state 
conventions,  and  ask  each  of  said  committees  to  incorporate 
in  their  platform  the  following : 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  a constitutional  amendment  that 
will  insure  the  passage  of  statutes  abolishing  the  truck  store 
system  and  enforce  the  weekly  payment  of  wages  to  all  labor- 
ers in  lawful  money. 


202 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


It  was  resolved,  “That  each  delegate  on  returning  home 
call  meetings  of  miners  and  business  men  with  the  object  of 
enforcing  if  possible  the  enactment  of  the  weekly  pay  law.” 
President  Crawford,  P.  H.  Donnelly  and  Hon.  William 
Mooney  of  Braidwood,  were  appointed  a committee  to  attend 
the  Republican  and  Democratic  state  conventions  in  the 
interest  of  an  anti-truck  store  amendment  to  the  constitution ; 
That  all  local  unions  subscribe  for  a copy  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  Joui'nal,  after  which  the  newly  elected  president, 
J.  A.  Crawford,  was  conducted  to  the  chair  and  introduced  by 
the  retiring  president,  M.  J.  Goings,  in  a neat  speech  of 
commendation  and  good  will. 

Numerous  constitutional  amendments  were  recommended 
by  the  committee  on  constitution  in  harmony  with  that  of  the 
national  union,  which  were  concurred  in  by  the  convention; 
an  order  for  the  publication  of  the  proceedings  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers  Journal,  one  copy  of  which  was  to  be  sent  to 
each  local  union;  and  a rising  vote  tendered  to  the  retiring 
officers,  M.  J.  Goings  and  Eben  Howells.  The  convention  then 
adjourned  to  meet  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  the  fourth  Tuesday 
in  April,  1893,  unless  sooner  convened  by  order  of  president. 

J.  A.  Crawford,  President. 

W.  J.  Guyman,  Secretary-Treasurer. 


District  8 Meeting  and  Tennessee  Scale 


203 


INDIANA  BLOCK  COAL  AFFAIRS 

On  Saturday,  April  23,  1892,  delegates  of  the  block  coal 
district  met  at  Klingers’  hall  in  the  city  of  Brazil  at  10  a.  m. 
There  were  23  mines  represented.  William  Galt  of  Cardonia 
was  chosen  chairman  and  T.  J.  Russell,  secretary.  An  expres- 
sion of  the  delegates  showed  that  the  block  coal  miners  were 
almost  unanimously  in  favor  of  trying  to  obtain  an  advance 
of  5 cents  per  ton.  Brother  Comesky  and  the  writer  were 
present  and  Brother  Comesky  advised  them  to  do  all  they 
could  to  secure  an  advance  of  5 cents  per  ton  to  place  them  on 
a fair  basis  with  the  bituminous  miners  of  the  state,  after 
which  a committee  of  six  was  appointed  to  meet  and  nego- 
tiate with  the  operators.  The  committee  met  the  operators 
at  1 p.  m.  At  3 o’clock  the  delegates  were  all  called  into  the 
Brazil  Block  Coal  office  and  an  agreement  signed  on  about  the 
same  conditions' as  last  year,  namely,  75  cents  per  ton,  but 
nothing  better  could  be  expected  when  we  take  into  consider- 
ation the  helpless  condition  of  the  block  coal  miners. 

While  there  are  more  than  2,000  miners  in  the  block  coal 
district  there  are  not  more  than  100  organized  men  in  the 
whole  district  at  this  time. 

J.  H.  Kennedy. 

TENNESSEE  DISTRICT  SCALE. 

April  26-27,  1892. 

At  a meeting  of  operators  and  miners,  held  at  Jellico, 
Tennessee,  a scale  of  prices  for  the  coal  companies  named  was 
adopted  for  a period  of  one  year  commencing  May  1,  1892: 

Central  Jellico  Coal  Company,  Main  Jellico  Mountain  Coal 
Company,  Proctor  Coal  Company,  Falls  Branch  Jellico  Coal 
Company,  Wooldridge,  Jellico  Coal  Company,  Standard  Coal 
and  Coke  Company. 

Article  I.  That  we  adopt  the  present  price  as  now  paid 
in  the  Jellico  district  for  mining  and  day  labor  during  the 
ensuing  year;  Ten  hours  to  constitute  a day’s  labor,  and  lab- 
orers to  be  paid  by  the  hour,  commencing  May  1,  1892,  and 
ending  April  30,  1893. 

Art.  II.  That  only  coal  be  measured  and  not  impuri- 
ties. The.  mining  seam  and  sand  band  is  not  referred  to. 


204 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Art.  III.  That  we  adopt  the  Board  of  Arbitration  and 
Conciliation  clause  as  of  last  year’s  contract  with  the  under- 
standing that  this  agreement  is  to  be  the  basis  of  all  settle- 
ments and  arbitration.  The  committee  on  the  part  of  the 
operators  to  consist  of  E.  P.  Avent,  W.  T.  Lewis  and  John  C. 
Brooks. 

Art.  IV.  That  we  adopt  the  present  prices  for  entries  as 
now  paid  in  the  Jellico  district,  with  the  exception  that  wher- 
ever the  slate  does  not  exceed  ten  (10)  inches  in  thickness,  and 
no  slate  to  be  blasted  from  the  top ; the  price  for  driving  entrj" 
shall  be  $1.50  per  yard,  and  where  the  slate  exceeds  ten  (10) 
inches  in  thickness  and  up  to  eighteen  (18)  inches,  the  price 
for  mining  coal  in  such  entries  shall  be  5 cents  per  ton  extra, 
and  if  the  slate  be  blasted  from  the  top,  the  prevailing  prices 
for  entry  driving  shall  be  paid. 

Art.  V.  That  we  adopt  the  present  prices  as  now  paid  by 
the  Jellico  district  for  airways  and  breakthroughs  for  the 
ensuing  year,  with  the  proviso  that  Laurel  pay  the  same  price, 
the  same  conditions  to  be  considered.  That  we  adopt  the 
present  price  as  now  paid  by  the  Jellico  districc  for  room 
turning  during  the  ensuing  year. 

Art.  VI.  That  we  adopt  the  Wooldridge  mine  system  of 
delivering  coal  to  employes,  with  the  understanding  that  the 
said  system  be  defined  as  follows:  The  coal  to  be  delivered 

to  the  houses  of  employes  in  a two-horse  wagon  at  $1.50  per 
load,  the  men  to  order  it  as  they  want  it.  The  load  of  coal  is 
supposed  to  be  a ton,  and  the  employes  and  their  families  must 
not  take  any  coal  that  has  gone  through  the  weigh  box.  Any- 
one picking  up  coal  from  the  incline  shall  not  be  charged  for 
same.  If  the  employes  hire  a team  to  haul  their  coal  the  price 
shall  be  $1.25  per  ton. 

Art.  VII.  That  we  adopt  the  Proctor  Coal  Company  plan 
of  collecting  medical  fund  at  East  Tennessee,  Main  Jellico 
Mountain  Coal  Company,  and  Central  Jellico  Coal  Company 
mines,  with  the  provision  that  the  companies  will  not 
guarantee  the  doctor’s  fees,  and  said  doctor  must  pay  for 
rent  of  office  and  for  coal. 

W.  C.  Webb,  Chairman. 

Richard  Kinsey, 

F.  L.  Bosworth,  Secretaries. 

Approved  April  27,  1892, 

P.  H.  Penna. 


CHAPTER  X. 


DISTRICT  NO.  5. 

Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  April  27,  1892. 

The  second  annual  convention  of  district  5,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  met  in  Knights  of  Labor  Hall,  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  Wednesday,  April  27,  1892,  at  10  o’clock  a.  m.. 
President  Costello  in  the  chair. 

Credential  committee: 

Patrick  Acton,  Shire  Oaks;  Samuel  Devore,  Venetia;  and 
Daniel  McGarry,  Mansfield,  reported  delegates  entitled  to  seats 
as  follows : 

Frank  McKenna,  L.  A.  6208  and  I.  P.  Everett,  Finleyville ; 
Nicholas  Schumacher,  L.  A.  3259,  Kellings;  Daniel  McGarry, 
Richard  Gibbs,  L.  A.  2288,  Mansfield;  Samuel  Devore, 
L.  A.  4512,  Venetia;  George  Fletcher,  Peter  Wagner,  and 
William  Hopkins,  M.  C.  & C.  Company’s  mine  No.  2;  Lawrence 
Magdalene  and  Louis  Lecreirx,  Beadlings;  Patrick  Acton,  L. 
A.  151,  Shire  Oaks;  Thomas  Oats,  Blythes;  William  Robers, 
L.  A.  2705,  Coal  Bluff;  Charles  E.  Wallace,  L.  A.  925;  M. 
McQuade,  Mansfield;  Charles  H.  Ashby,  L.  A.  2829,  Canons- 
burg;  Wilson  Peters,  Idlewood;  Patrick  Hallam,  Anton 
Khime,  Bower  Hill;  William  Gettings,  Andersons;  Thomas 
Paxton,  L.  U.  Ill,  Shaners;  John  Marris,  Eclipse;  Andrew 
Miller,  Noblestown;  Patrick  Dolan,  Laurel  Hill. 

The  executive  board  reported  the  constitution  as  revised 
according  to  instruction  from  the  convention  held  March  2. 
After  some  discussion  it  was  taken  up  and  acted  on  seriatim. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

President  or  Master  Workman,  John  Costello. 

Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman,  George  Wilson. 

Secretary-Treasurer,  M.  McQuade. 

Executive  Board:  Samuel  Devore,  Nicholas  Schumacher, 
Thomas  Oats. 

After  discussing  some  questions  of  minor  importance  the 
convention-  adjourned. 


(205) 


206 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Thursday  morning,  April  28,  1892. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  and  the  following 
additional  delegates  presented  credentials  and  were  given 
seats:  Daniel  Widyde,  Shaners;  Robert  Cairns,  Powers; 

Robert  McAlpin,  Big  Chief ; George  Barth,  Federal ; Peter 
Collins,  Cherrys;  Richard  Pemberthy,  Montour;  George 
Nelson,  Moon  Run;  Charles  Morgan,  Bunola;  James  Bicker- 
staff,  Osceola ; George  Gamble,  Candy  mine. 

On  a report  of  delegates  giving  their  instructions  it  was 
made  manifest  that  the  feeling  was  in  favor  of  the  last 
year’s  prices,  and  the  following  resolution  was  presented: 

Resolved,  That  we  ask  last  year’s  scale  (79  cents  per  ton) 
for  the  coming  year,  a uniform  enforcement  of  the  dead- 
work  scale,  half  holiday  on  Saturdays  and  two  weeks  pay. 

After  some  discussion,  in  which  National  President  John 
McBride  took  part,  giving  valuable  advice,  it  was  resolved 
that  a committee  be  appointed  to  meet  the  operators  com- 
mittee to  make  an  agreement  as  per  resolution,  except  to  give 
the  committee  discretionary  power  on  the  question  of  two 
week’s  pay,  and  half  holidays  on  Saturdays.  The  committee 
selected  follows:  National  President  John  McBride,  District 
President  John  Costello,  William  Hopkins,  Peter  Collins,  and 
Charles  Morgan. 

Resolved,  That  all  miners  receiving  79  cents  per  ton  and 
dead  work  scale  shall  continue  at  work  on  May  1,  but  that  no 
scale  of  prices  be  made  unless  it  be  made  by  the  scale  com- 
mittee, selected  by  this  convention. 

Resolved,  That  a five  cent  levy  be  collected  at  each  mine 
to  defray  expenses  of  the  convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  district  dues  be  collected  through  the 
checkweighman  at  each  mine. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

The  scale  committee  met  the  operators’  committee  on 
Saturday,  April  30,  and  the  following  agreement  was  entered 
into: 

The  price  of  mining  fi/o-inch  screened  coal  from  May  1, 
1892,  shall  be  79  cents  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds,  and  %-inch 
screened  coal,  65  cents  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds.  Run  of  mine 
shall  be  paid  for  on  a basis  of  the  average  weight  for  wagons 


River  District  Convention 


207 


screened  over  a li/^-inch  screen.  Clay  veins  6 inches  and  less 
than  12  inches,  shall  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  $2  for  cutting, 
anything  over  12  inches,  $2  per  foot.  Where  clay  veins  run 
at  an  angle  across  the  room  or  entry,  50  cents  a yard  shall  be 
paid,  while  it  continues. 

Anything  6 inches  or  less  shall  be  considered  a spar,  for 
which  $1  shall  be  paid  and  25  cents  additional  shall  be  added, 
where  the  spar  runs  in  an  angle. 

Two  dollars  and  fifty-cents  shall  be  paid  for  room  turning, 
the  neck  not  to  exceed  7 yards,  and  entry  price  be  paid  for  all 
over  7 yards.  Entry  work  to  be  paid  $1  per  yard  for  two  men ; 
$1.25  for  two  additional  men,  and  $1.50  per  yard  when  entry 
is  worked  with  three  shifts.  For  12  feet  places  the  former 
price  shall  be  paid,  “break-throughs”  to  be  paid  50  cents  per 
yard. 

The  question  of  ripping  roof,  digging  drain  and  thick  slate 
to  be  left  to  miners  and  mine  bosses.  Pick  sharpening  to  be 
11/4  per  cent. 

Drivers’  wages  are  to  be  as  follows : 

Minimum  price  $2;  maximum  $2.25,  excepting  in  such 
cases  where,  owing  to  exceptional  difficulties,  a higher  price 
is  now  paid. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  miners, 

John  McBride, 

John  Costello, 
William  Hopkins, 
Peter  Collins, 
Charles  Morgan. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  operators, 

Francis  L.  Robbins, 
Chairman. 
George  K.  Miles, 
Secretary. 

RIVER  DISTRICT  CONVENTION. 

Monongahela  City,  Pennsylvania,  April  29,  1892. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  Patrick  Acton; 
John  A.  Morgan  of  Elizabeth  was  elected  chairman,  and 
Jeremiah  Kennedy  of  Monongahela  City,  secretary. 

After  the  committee  on  credentials  had  reported,  Thomas 
W.  Davis,  agent  for  Journal  and  organizer,  explained  that 
the  object  in  calling  the  convention  was  to  form  a river 
miners’  district. 

Samuel  Pardoe,  Joseph  Schaming,  Enoch  Coulson,  John 


208 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


Jack  and  Patrick  Acton,  were  appointed  a committee  on 
resolutions,  and  reported  as  follows : 

First — Resolved,  that  this  convention  is  unanimously  in 
favor  of  organization;  we  believe  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America  covers  all  the  points  necessary  that  we  desire  in 
organization  and,  further,  that  we  believe  the  limits  of  this 
district  should  be  so  extended  as  to  cover  the  Ohio  and  Kana- 
wha rivers,  which  are  our  direct  competitors  in  the  river 
markets. 

Second — Resolved,  that  we  are  in  favor  of  laying  the  dead- 
work  scale  on  the  table  until  the  next  convention,  all  of  which 
was  adopted  and  the  convention  adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  chairman,  J.  A. 
Morgan. 

Dr.  Woods  was  granted  a few  minutes  time  and  spoke 
on  the  establishment  of  a miners’  hospital  at  Monongahela 
City. 

President  John  McBride  in  a few  well  chosen  remarks, 
addressed  the  convention,  and  the  committee  on  resolutions 
resumed  their  report : 

Third — Resolved,  that  we  elect  a temporary  secretary- 
treasurer,  and  we  ask  the  national  office  to  attend  to  any  griev- 
ances that  may  arise  until  after  the  convention  of  the  ]\Ionon- 
gehela,  Youghiogheny,  Ohio  and  Kanawha  river  miners. 

Fourth — Resolved,  that  we  favor  a semi-monthly  tax  of 
3 cents  per  capita  to  this  river  district  to  be  sent  to  the  secre- 
tary-treasurer pro  tern.,  and  the  secretary-treasurer  hold  him- 
self responsible  to  the  next  convention. 

Fifth — Resolved,  that  we  ask  the  national  officers  to  call 
a convention  of  the  above  named  river  miners  as  soon  as 
possible  and  practicable. 

At  this  point  the  nominations  of  J.  Kennedy  and  P.  Acton 
were  made  for  secretary-treasurer,  resulting  in  the  unanimous 
election  of  Jeremiah  Kennedy. 

Sixth — Resolved,  That  we,  the  representatives  of  the  l\Io- 
nongahela  and  Youghiogheny  miners,  in  convention  assembled, 
declare  ourselves  in  favor  of  establishing  a hospital  at  IMonon- 
gahela  City,  and  ask  our  miners  at  home,  at  the  pits  and  local 
assembly  meetings  to  take  decided  action  on  having  it  estab- 
lished as  soon  as  possible.  The  resolutions  were  adopted  and 
the  • convention  adjourned.  John  A.  Morgan,  president, 
Jeremiah  Kennedy,  secretary. 


Address  of  President  Scott 


209 


IOWA,  DISTRICT  13. 

April  28,  1892. 

President  W.  S.  Scott’s  address : 

Fellow  Workmen — A little  more  than  one  year  ago,  a dozen 
thoughtful  men,  who  were  chosen  to  represent  the  organized 
and  unorganized  miners  of  the  State  of  Iowa,  met  in  this 
city  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  the  complete  organization 
of  the  miners  of  Iowa  into  what  was  to  be  known  as  District 
13  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Having  reviewed  the  provoking  state  of  affairs  precipi- 
tated upon  the  miners  of  Iowa  last  May,  Mr.  Scott  continued 
as  follows : 

Fellow  workmen,  have  you  ever  thought  of  the  vast  wealth 
of  this  country;  of  $62,000,000,000  of  wealth  piled  up  as  a 
monument  of  the  noble  fathers  and  mothers  who  have  builded 
homes  upon  the  hillsides  and  prairies  of  our  beautiful  land? 
Who  owns  and  controls  this  vast  wealth?  Is  it  the  men  and 
women  who  made  the  homes  by  their  honest  toil,  or  is  it 
owned  and  controlled  by  men  who  never  did  an  honest  hour’s 
labor  in  their  lives?  We  answer,  the  corporations  and  mil- 
lionaire idlers  have  absorbed  the  labor  products  of  all  the 
noble  men  and  women  who  have  come  and  gone,  from  the 
time  the  Mayflower  first  touched  the  land  at  Plymouth  Rock 
down  to  the  present  time.  All  the  earnings  of  labor,  except 
enough  for  a bare  subsistence  for  the  laborers,  have  been 
absorbed  by  the  wealthy  few  of  our  land  for  their  own  behoof 
and  benefit. 

The  question  arises,  by  what  right  do  the  wealthy  few 
deprive  the  laboring  millions  of  their  hard-earned  wealth?  We 
answer,  by  the  right  granted  them  by  and  through  corrupt 
legislation  and  venal  courts ; by  the  right  that  one  kind  of  a 
thief  gives  to  another  kind  of  thief  the  right  to  take  for  his 
own  all  that  the  first  thief  does  not  reserve  for  himself. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Cook  said  in  1890  that  “two  thousand 
capitalists  own  more  than  all  the  rest  of  the  65,000,000  of  our 
population;  250,000  rich  men  control  70  per  cent  of  the 
national  wealth.  The  American  republic  is  therefore  prac- 
tically owned  by  less  than  250,000  persons.  If  the  present 
causes  which  produce  a concentration  of  wealth  continue,  the 
republic  will  soon  be  owned  by  50,000  persons.”  And  those 
50,000  persons  will  be  the  ones  who  have  done  the  least  work 
of  any  people  in  our  land. 

My  fellow  workmen,  how  much  longer  can  labor  be  robbed 
of  its  honest  reward  and  the  robber  go  unpunished? 

How  long  will  we  continue  to  be  the  slaves  of  the  corporate 
power  of  the  land  ? 


210 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Let  me  ask  you,  from  whence  came  these  great  concerns 
called  corporations?  From  whence  do  they  derive  their 
power?  I will  answer:  they  are  brought  into  existence  by 
some  law  enacted  by  the  state  legislature.  Certain  powers 
and  privileges  are  granted  by  the  law,  and  a number  of  per- 
sons combine  together  to  form  a corporation  in  order  to  reap 
the  benefit  of  the  law ; in  such  cases  made  and  provided,  they 
are  the  creatures  of  statute  law,  and  whenever  the  corpora- 
tion becomes  oppressive  in  its  dealings  with  its  employes,  or 
the  public  in  general,  it  then  becomes  the  duty  of  the  legisla- 
ture to  enact  such  measures  as  will  control  the  actions  of  the 
corporations  and  prevent  them  from  becoming  engines  of 
oppression.  And  if  the  legislature  fail  to  do  this,  then  it  may 
be  truthfully  said  that  the  legislature  is  controlled  by  the  cor- 
porations, for  it  refuses  to  protect  the  masses  against  the 
classes,  and  when  a state  legislature  refuses  to  protect  the 
masses,  then  is  the  time  that  the  seeds  are  sown  out  of  which 
grows  socialism  and  anarchy.  When  the  men  who  are  chosen 
to  represent  the  people  turn  their  backs  to  the  people,  and 
their  ears  to  the  corporations,  they  and  they  alone  are  respon- 
sible if  a state  of  anarchy  prevails,  for  they  themselves  first 
gave  the  example. 

My  fellow  workmen,  who  are  responsible  for  this  condi- 
tion today?  Who  has  helped  to  rob  you  of  the  proceeds  of 
your  toil?  Watch  the  record  of  the  men  who  had  the  making 
of  the  laws  of  the  state  within  their  power.  If  they  have 
legislated  for  the  owner  of  wealth,  they  have  voted  against 
the  owner  of  muscle,  and  if  they  have,  watch  them  for  all  time 
to  come,  and  when  they  seek  to  again  gain  a place  where  they 
can  vote  you  into  worse  slavery  than  you  are  now,  work  un- 
ceasingly to  defeat  them. 

We  are  often  compelled  to  listen  to  the  boast  that  this  is 
the  freest  land  under  the  sun ; that  every  workingman  is  the 
equal  of  anyone  else ; that  we  are  all  sovereigns  in  this  coun- 
try; that  one  man’s  liberty  is  just  as  great  as  the  liberty  of 
any  other  man.  Such  nonsense  is  nauseating  in  the  extreme. 
Do  you  call  this  a free  land  when  the  employe  must  sign  a 
contract  that  sets  at  naught  the  law  made  to  govern  in  his 
own  particular  branch  of  industry?  Sign  a contract  made  by 
his  employer,  made  without  the  employe  being  consulted  as  to 
the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  contract  signed,  and  then  not 
be  permitted  to  even  keep  a copy  of  the  contract?  Is  this  free- 
dom? If  it  is,  then  I do  not  know  the  meaning  of  the  word. 
Is  it  freedom  when  one  must  trade  at  the  “pluck-me”  store  or 
take  the  road  in  search  of  work?  Are  we  all  equal  in  our 
rights  and  privileges?  Out  upon  such  freedom,  out  upon 


Address  op  President  Scott 


211 


such  equality,  that  allows  the  employer  to  become  virtually 
the  owner  of  the  person  of  the  employe. 

The  wealthy  few  have  been  sowing  the  wind;  they  must 
not  complain  if,  in  the  near  future,  they  shall  be  called  upon 
to  reap  the  whirlwind. 

The  outraged  millions  who  toil  and  create  the  wealth  of 
this  country,  but  who  are  prevented  from  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  their  labor,  will  not  much  longer  submit  to  the  great 
schemes  of  robbery  that  are  perpetrated  against  them,  but  in 
some  hour  of  their  desperation,  the  voice  of  a leader  will  be 
heard,  and  then  the  avalanche  of  pent-up  feeling  will  burst 
all  barriers  of  restraint,  and  the  wrongs  of  an  age  will  be 
wiped  out  in  almost  a twinkle  of  an  eye.  And  who  can  say 
that  these  toiling  millions  will  be  in  the  wrong?  They  have 
begged  for  relief  at  the  hands  of  their  state  legislatures,  and 
their  petitions  have  been  thrust  aside  with  but  ill  concealed 
malice  towards  the  men  who  presumed  to  intercede  for  the 
rights  of  the  toilers. 

If  justice  can  not  be  had,  if  wrongs  must  be  multiplied, 
while,  with  an  arrogance  born  of  love  for  despotic  power,  the 
corporations  continue  to  taunt  the  very  men  who  pile  up  their 
wealth  for  them,  I ask  again,  who  can  say  that  these  laboring 
millions,  who  have  borne  so  much,  and  without  the  least  hope 
of  relief  otherwise,  take  the  matter  in  their  own  hands  and, 
by  force,  wipe  out  the  great  wrongs  that  are  so  heavy  upon 
their  shoulders? 

Now,  my  fellow  workmen,  let  me  urge  you  to  again  gird 
yourselves  with  the  strong  arm  of  organization,  to  the  end 
that  you  may  be  in  a better  position  to  defend  your  present 
aims  and  hopes. 

You  must  remember  that  nothing  can  be  accomplished 
except  through  organization.  Nothing  of  any  moment  was 
ever  accomplished  except  that  the  friends  of  the  movement 
went  into  a perfect  system  of  organization  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  object  sought  to  be  obtained. 

Fellow  workmen,  you  have  been  brave  in  the  past;  you 
have  been  enduring  in  your  battle  with  the  wrong;  keep  the 
faith,  remember  that  every  corporation  is  the  enemy  to  a 
greater  or  less  degree  of  organized  labor;  remember  that  the 
men  who  compose  the  corporations  are  in  as  compact  an 
organization  as  it  is  possible  for  men  to  form;  we  must  pro- 
tect ourselves  likewise. 

It  only  remains  for  me  to  now  thank  you  one  and  all  for 
the  kind  and  courteous  manner  in  which  you  have  treated  me 
as  the  President  and  Master  Workman  of  the  district  during 
the  past  year,  and  should  I never  be  permitted  to  meet  with 
you  again,  my  best  wishes  shall  always  be  for  the  success  of 


212 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  brave  men  to  be  found  in  the  Iowa  coal  mines.  And  may 
the  crowning  success  of  life  be  yours. 

Walter  S.  Scott, 

President  and  Master  Workman  District  No.  13, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

From  the  meager  report  of  the  proceedings  at  hand,  the 
convention  was  full  of  enthusiasm,  bent  upon  moving  onward, 
and  elected  the  following  officers  for  the  ensuing  year : Presi- 
dent and  Master  Workman,  W.  S.  Scott;  Vice-President  or 
Worthy  Foreman,  Perry  Cavender;  Secretary-Treasurer, 
Julius  Fromm.  Executive  Board,  Robert  Cowan,  Angus;  Os- 
car Anderson,  Oswalt;  T.  E.  Jackson,  Oskaloosa. 

DISTRICT  NO.  12,  ILLINOIS. 

Early  in  May,  1892,  the  officers  of  District  12,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  issued  a manifesto  on  the  enforcement 
of  mining  laws  for  the  state,  and  called  the  attention  of  mine 
workers  to  constitutional  amendments  adopted  at  the  miners’ 
special  convention,  April  19-20,  1892.  The  constitutional 
amendments  follow: 

Sec.  3,  Article  1,  amended  to  read:  Sec.  3.  This  district 

shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its  affiliated  bodies,  which  shall 
be  governed  in  all  trade  matters  by  this  constitution. 

Sec.  2,  Article  III,  amended  to  read:  The  district  con- 

vention shall  be  held  annually,  commencing  hereafter  at  10 :30 
a.  m.,  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  April.  Amended  by  adding 
Article  IV,  Sections  1,  2,  3,  4: 

Article  IV — Strikes. 

Sec.  1.  When  trouble  of  a local  character  arises  between 
members  of  any  Local  Assembly  or  Local  Union,  and  their  em- 
ployers, the  officers  of  said  locals  shall  endeavor  to  effect  an 
amicable  adjustment,  and,  failing  in  this,  they  shall  imme- 
diately notify  the  officers  of  the  district,  and  said  district 
officers  shall  immediately  investigate  the  cause  of  complaint, 
and  failing  to  effect  a peaceful  settlement  upon  a basis  that 
would  be  equitable  and  just  to  aggrieved  members,  finding 
that  a strike  would  best  subserve  the  interests  of  the  locality 
affected,  they  may  order  the  inauguration  of  a strike,  but  no 
local  strike  shall  be  legalized  or  supported  by  this  district  un- 
less its  inauguration  was  approved  of  by  the  officers  of  the 
district,  or  by  the  National  Executive  Board,  upon  an  appeal 


Hocking  Valley  Day  Wage  Scale 


213 


taken  by  the  aggrieved  members  from  the  decision  of  the  dis- 
trict officers.  Any  Local  Union  or  Local  Assembly  striking 
in  violation  of  the  above  provisions,  will  not  be  sustained  or 
recognized  by  the  state  office  or  officers. 

Sec.  2.  Before  final  action  is  taken  in  this  district  upon 
questions  that  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  interests  of  the 
mine  workers  of  another  district,  or  that  requires  a strike  to 
determine,  the  President  or  Master  Workman  and  the  Secre- 
tary will  jointly  prepare,  sign  and  forward  to  the  National 
President  or  Master  Workman,  a written  statement,  setting 
forth  the  gUevance  complained  of,  the  action  contemplated  by 
the  district,  together  with  the  reasons  therefor,  and  the  Na- 
tional President  or  Master  Workman  will,  within  five  days 
after  the  receipt  of  such  statement,  either  approve  or  disap- 
prove of  the  action  contemplated,  and  such  approval  or  dis- 
approval, together  with  reasons  therefor,  will  be  made  in 
writing,  and  a copy  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
aggrieved  district. 

Sec.  3.  Should  the  action  contemplated  by  the  aggrieved 
district  receive  the  approval  of  the  National  President  or  Mas- 
ter Workman,  the  district  shall  be  free  to  act;  but  should  the 
President  or  Master  Workman  disapprove  of  the  action  con- 
templated, the  district  may  appeal  to  the  National  Executive 
Board,  which  shall  be  convened  to  consider  such  appeal  within 
five  days  after  its  receipt  by  the  National  Secretary.  Until  the 
National  President  or  Master  Workman  has  approved  or  the 
National  Executive  Board  has  sustained  an  appeal,  this  dis- 
trict is  not  free  to  enter  upon  a strike,  unless  it  shall  have 
been  ordered  by  the  National  Convention. 

Sec.  4.  Any  Local  Union  or  Local  Assembly  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  district,  who  refuses  to  pay  any  levy 
authorized  by  the  National  Executive  Board,  to  maintain  a 
legalized  strike,  shall  be  considered  as  not  paying  the  legal 
taxation.  J.  A.  Crawford, 

President  and  Master  Workman, 
W.  J.  Guyman, 

Secretary-Treasurer, 

District  No.  12. 

DAY  MEN’S  SCALE,  HOCKING  VALLEY,  OHIO. 

From  circulars  sent  to  all  mine  secretaries  in  Athens, 
Hocking  and  Perry  counties,  a convention  was  held  at  Shaw- 
nee, Ohio,  on  Saturday,  May  7,  1892,  to  regulate  the  wages 
and  hours  of  day  hands. 

The  following  delegates  were  present:  Edward  Davis, 

Shawnee;  W.  G.  Davis,  L.  U.  424;  Daniel  Weaver,  L.  U.  374; 


214 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Charles  Hoy,  L.  U.  290;  James  W.  Smith,  Longstreth;  James 
Sherlock,  Mine  19;  William  Wells,  Mine  8;  A.  L.  Enix,  No.  2, 
Glouster;  Hiram  Been,  Oakdale;  W.  J.  Williams,  Mine  25; 
Samuel  Campbell,  Jobs;  John  Fahy,  Jacksonville;  John  Per- 
chott.  New  Pittsburg;  Fred  Schmidt,  Nelsonville;  Thomas 
Reed,  L.  U.  381;  Adam  Hallam,  L.  U.  421;  John  Butterworth, 
L.  U.  254;  John  Welsh,  Mine  10;  M.  Gallagher,  Mine  24;  F. 
Boyle,  Mine  21;  John  Thomas,  Mud  Fork;  F.  S.  Smith,  Phoe- 
nix No.  1;  T.  D.  Jones,  John  W.  Vaughan,  Shawnee;  John 
Nugent,  New  Straitsville ; W.  C.  Pearce,  Corning. 

President  Nugent  stated  that  the  call  for  the  convention 
was  issued  for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  adjust  present  differ- 
ences in  wages  and  hours  of  labor  so  that  they  would  be  uni- 
form throughout  the  district.  After  each  delegate  had  ex- 
pressed himself  on  the  situation,  the  following  committee  of 
three  was  appointed  to  draft  a code  of  rules:  G.  W.  Davis, 

James  W.  Smith  and  John  Fahy. 

The  committee  reported  the  following  scale  of  wages  for 
day  labor  in  Athens,  Perry  and  Hocking  counties : 


Per  Day. 

Tracklayers  $2.50 

Tracklayers’  helpers 2.25 

Drivers  2.05 

All  inside  day  labor 2.05 

All  Dumpers  2.00 

All  Trimmers 2.00 

All  outside  labor  not  less  than : 1.75 

Firemen  2.00 

Trappers  not  less  than 1.00 

Greasers  1.25 

Rope  Eiders  not  less  than 2.25 

Pumpers  not  less  than  $40  per  month  when  working 
by  month,  but  when  working  by  the  day,  not  less 
than  2.00 


Resolved,  That  no  scale  be  made  for  carpenters,  engineers, 
or  blacksmiths. 

Resolved,  That  nine  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work, 
and  four  and  a half  hours  a half  day,  and  that  there  be  no 
quarter  time. 

If  the  mine  starts  to  work  in  the  morning,  or  after  dinner 
and  quits  before  noon  or  evening,  a half  day’s  wages  must  be 
paid. 

No  day  man  shall  commence  work  before  7 a.  m.,  or  work 
longer  than  11 :30  for  a half  day.  When  the  mine  works  all 
day,  the  dinner  hour  shall  be  from  11 :30  to  12 :30. 


Houtzdale  Checkweighman  Laws 


215 


The  drivers  shall  leave  the  stable  at  7 a.  m.  and  be  back 
at  5 p.  m.  when  the  mine  works  all  day,  and  at  11 :30  when 
working  half  day.  But  when  the  stables  are  in  the  mine,  the 
driver  shall  start  in  the  mine  at  7 a.  m.  and  be  out  at  5 p.  m. 
for  a full  day,  or  11 :30  a.  m.  for  a half  day. 

Owing  to  the  absence  of  operators  at  the  meeting,  it  was 
thought  advisable  not  to  put  the  scale  of  prices  agreed  to  in 
force  until  June  15,  1892. 

John  Nugent,  President, 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 

WEST  VIRGINIA. 

A delegate  meeting  of  West  Virginia  miners  was  held  at 
Moundsville,  May  7,  1892,  with  about  12  delegates  in  attend- 
ance. 

President  Moran  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and  Basil 
Scott  acted  as  Secretary. 

It  was  resolved  to  call  the  attention  of  the  prosecuting 
attorney  of  each  county  in  the  state  to  any  violation  of  the 
script  or  screen  laws;  against  all  contract  work  in  mining  or 
hauling  coal  in  the  mines;  the  placing  of  checkweighmen  on 
the  tipples  at  the  mines ; a demand  for  two  weeks’  pay,  and 
favoring  the  same  scale  of  prices  as  was  being  paid  in  District 
No.  6,  Ohio,  except  screening  coal,  the  prices  to  be,  for  run  of 
mine  coal,  50  cents  per  ton,  to  take  effect  June  13,  1892. 

M.  F.  Moran,  President, 
Basil  Scott,  Secretary. 

HOUTZDALE,  PA.,  CHECKWEIGHMAN  FUND  LAWS. 

ADOPTED  MAY  19,  1892. 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  Name  and  composition:  Houtzdale  Check- 

weighman Fund.  To  be  composed  of  all  miners  and  laborers 
subscribing  to  checkweigh  fund. 

Section  2.  Objects : To  unite  mine  employes  and  amelio- 
rate their  condition  by  conciliation,  arbitration  or  strikes. 

Section  3.  Jurisdiction:  Over  all  members  paying  into 

checkweigh  fund. 


216 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Article  II. 

Section  1.  Officers  of  this  Union  shall  be  the  officers  of 
the  checkweigh  fund. 

Section  2.  Duty  of  officers : President  shall  preside  at  all 
meetings  of  the  Union,  sign  all  official  documents  when  cor- 
rect, perform  all  legally  prescribed  duties  and  such  as  may 
hereafter  be  set  by  this  Union. 

Section  3.  The  Vice-President  shall  succeed  the  Presi- 
dent in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office. 

Section  4.  Secretary  shall  have  charge  of  and  preserve  all 
records,  books  and  documents  and  effects  of  the  office,  record 
proceedings  of  all  meetings,  and  meetings  of  the  Executive 
Board,  and  perform  all  duties  prescribed  by  this  Union. 

Section  5.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  moneys  and  pay 
out  the  same  when  ordered  by  President,  Secretary,  Execu- 
tive Board  and  meetings  of  this  Local  Union. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  Union  shall  be  derived 
from  miners  and  mine  laborers  and  boys  working  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  checkweighman  fund  and  shall  be  col- 
lected as  checkweigh  dues  and  paid  over  to  the  treasurer  of 
the  fund. 

Section  2.  Officers  of  this  Union  shall  cause  to  be  paid 
monthly,  to  National  Union,  10  cents  per  man  and  for  boys  at 
half  turn  5 cents,  and  to  the  District  Treasurer  5 cents  per 
man  and  21/2  cents  for  boys  at  half  turn,  monthly. 

Section  3.  Secretaries  of  all  L.  U.’s  and  L.  A.’s  shall  fur- 
nish the  Secretary  of  this  Union  an  account  of  members  in 
good  standing  monthly,  and  shall,  when  they  send  the  tax  to 
National  and  District,  request  that  credit  be  given  for  the 
number  of  members  reported  by  them,  and  the  National  and 
District  Secretaries  shall  send  duplicate  receipts  to  said  L.  A.’s 
and  L.  U.’s. 

Article  IV. 

Section  1.  Meetings  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Saturday  of 
each  month,  at  3 p.  m.,  at  Houtzdale.  Special  meetings  at  the 
call  of  the  President,  when  so  instructed  by  the  Executive 
Board,  or  at  the  request  of  five  L.  U.’s  or  L.  A.’s,  or  mines  in 
the  jurisdiction  of  this  Union. 


Hocking  Valley  Joint  Conference 


217 


Section  2.  Each  mine  shall  be  a branch  of  this  Union,  and 
must  hold  meetings  from  time  to  time  and  enforce  rules  that 
are  made  by  this  Union. 

Section  3.  The  regular  checkweighman  conventions  shall 
be  held  as  usual,  with  representation  as  now  exists  or  as  may 
be  from  time  to  time  agreed  to  by  this  Union, 

Section  4.  A member  to  be  eligible  for  office  or  check- 
weighman, must  have  been  a member  six  months. 

Article  V. 

Section  1.  Not  later  than  the  20th  of  each  month,  each 
checkweighman  shall  make  a list  of  all  persons  paying  into 
the  fund  at  his  mine,  and  give  the  same  to  the  Secretary  of 
this  Union.  The  Secretary  to  make  a record  of  the  same. 

Section  2.  Traveling  cards  must  be  furnished  by  the  Sec- 
retary to  those  applying  for  them,  if  they  are  in  good  stand- 
ing. 

Section  3,  Members  removing  from  any  mine  in  this 
jurisdiction,  shall  receive  in  the  way  of  a working  card,  lines 
to  certify  as  to  their  good  standing,  and  must  present  the 
same  to  checkweighman  at  the  place  removed  to. 

Section  4.  Arrearages  of  one  month  in  checkweigh  fund 
works  delinquency  or  bad  standing. 

JOINT  MEETING. 

On  May  24,  1892,  a joint  meeting  of  miners  and  operators 
was  held  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  consider  what  prices  should 
be  paid  for  single  and  double  shift  entries,  and  other  work  at 
machine  mines  in  the  Hocking  Valley  coal  field. 

At  this  meeting  the  miners  were  represented  by — John 
McBride,  John  Nugent,  W.  C.  Pearce,  Charles  Call,  John  Fahy, 
Fred  Dilcher,  W.  E.  Farms,  Cameron  Miller  and  James 
Pritchard. 

Operators — G.  W.  Brashears,  M.  V,  Ferguson,  H.  D.  Tur- 
ney, Thomas  Johnson  and  W.  S.  Courtwright,  of  a standing 
committee;  E.  Johnson,  J.  F.  Harris,  E.  A.  Cole,  E.  J.  Kessin- 
ger,  J.  E.  Martin,  with  Superintendents  Miller  and  Corcoran 
also  present. 

John  McBride  was  made  chairman,  W.  C.  Pearce  and  F.  S. 
Brooks  secretaries. 


218 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  question  of  double  shift  and  .“double-double  shift”  in 
machine  mines,  it  was  said:  Where  four  men  work  in  an 

entry,  two  in  the  day  and  two  at  night,  it  would  constitute  a 
“double-double”  shift,  and  for  this  $1  per  yard  should  be  paid. 
This  was  the  demand  of  the  miners.  After  discussing  the 
question  connected  with  it  at  afternoon  and  evening  sessions, 
it  was  resolved  to  adjourn  to  meet  again  June  13,  1892,  at 
Columbus,  Ohio. 

As  per  agreement,  the  joint  committee  met  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  June  13,  with  representatives,  as  follows : 

Miners — John  McBride,  John  Nugent,  W.  C.  Pearce, 
James  Christian,  Charles  Call,  John  Murphy,  J.  W.  Heiskell, 
John  Welsh,  John  Fahy,  Fred  Boyle,  Ben  Cossett,  John 
Canter. 

Operators — Thomas  Johnson,  H.  D.  Turney,  G.  W.  Bra- 
shears,  W.  S.  Courtwright,  V.  Ferguson,  C.  H.  Boardman  of 
the  committee,  and  Messrs.  Upson,  Opperman,  Harris,  Corco- 
ran, Schafer  and  R.  H.  Johnson. 

John  McBride  was  made  chairman;  F.  S.  Brooks  and  W. 
C.  Pearce  secretaries. 

After  a spirited  discussion  on  the  points  at  issue  had  been 
indulged  in.  Chairman  McBride  was  by  motion  instructed,  and 
made  the  following  appointments  to  interpret  and  define  the 
agreement  on  day  labor:  W.  S.  Courtwright,  H.  D.  Turney 
and  Thomas  Johnson  for  the  operators;  John  Fahy,  John 
Nugent  and  John  Murphy  for  the  miners. 

The  committee’s  report  was  adopted  as  follows : 

1.  Resolved,  That  drivers  leave  stables  at  ten  minutes  be- 
fore 7 o’clock  a.  m.,  and  leave  the  mines  at  5 o’clock  p.  m.,  for 
a day’s  work. 

2.  Resolved,  That  men  be  paid  by  the  hour,  and  that  in  the 
case  of  temporary  stops  during  the  day,  all  men  in  their  places 
shall  be  considered  employed  and  earning  pay  until  notified 
by  the  superintendent  or  mine  boss,  of  cessation  of  work  for 
that  day ; and  in  no  case  shall  pay  be  for  less  than  two  hours 
in  the  morning’s  work.  This  does  not  apply  to  afternoon  work ; 
but,  where  mines  work  by  the  day,  no  change  shall  be  made 
from  the  present  system,  on  account  of  the  extra  time  allowed 
by  the  operators,  in  quarters,  halves,  three-quarters  and  whole 
days. 


Comments  on  Mine  Workers  Journal 


219 


3.  Resolved,  That  when  any  dumper  has  an  assistant 
dumper,  the  assistant  shall  be  considered  as  a dumper  and 
paid  dumper’s  wages. 

4.  Resolved,  That  all  men  handling  and  cleaning  lump  coal 
on  the  railroad  cars  outside,  be  considered  and  paid  as  trim- 
mers. 

The  question  of  firemen’s  compensation  was  then  taken  up : 

5.  Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  extra  time  given 
by  firemen,  their  wages  be  $2  per  day. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  scale  of  May  27,  1890,  as  to  outside 
labor  at  $1.75  per  day,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  reaffirmed. 

Being  unable  to  agree  on  the  day  wage  for  trappers,  the 
meeting  adjourned. 

John  McBride,  Chairman, 
Frank  S.  Brooks  and 
W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretaries. 

“Ex-President  Rae,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, when  going  to  the  South,  where  he  has  accepted  an 
engagement  as  general  manager  for  the  Jellico  and  Birdeye 
Coal  Company,  called  at  the  office  June  22,  on  his  way 
there.” — United  Mine  Workers  Journal,  June  23,  1892. 

COMMENTS  ON  FIRST  ISSUE  OF  THE  UNITED  MINE 
WORKERS  JOURNAL. 

AS  OTHERS  SEE  US — A WELCOME. 

The  first  number  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal  was 
issued  on  Thursday  last.  It  is,  as  its  name  indicates,  the 
official  organ  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  and  will  voice  their 
wishes  and  champion  their  interests.  It  is  not  the  intention 
to  displace  or  in  any  way  rival  or  antagonize  other  papers 
that  have  in  the  past,  and  no  doubt  will  continue  in  the  future, 
to  speak  in  the  interest  of  the  coal  miners,  but  it  will  be 
another  hand  in  the  same  harvest-field.  The  new  paper  is 
ably  written  and  neatly  printed,  and  looks  like  the  beginning 
of  a successful  venture.  We  welcome  our  new  co-worker  for 
the  emancipation  of  labor. — Journal  of  the  Knights  of  Labor. 


220 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


CALCULATED  TO  DO  GOOD. 

The  initial  copy  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal  was 
received  at  this  office  on  last  Saturday.  Its  general  make-up 
is  evidence  of  skillful  hands,  and  its  leading  articles  evidence 
of  intellectual  ability.  We  were  pleased  to  receive  it,  and 
derived  much  profit  from  its  perusal.  Whilst  pre-eminently  a 
labor  paper,  a portion  of  its  columns  is  filled  with  matter  of 
an  extraneous  character  that  is  very  interesting.  We  gladly 
place  it  on  our  list  of  exchanges,  and  wish  it  a prosperous 
future.  It  is  published  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  With  brainy,  con- 
servative men  at  the  helm,  papers  of  this  kind  are  calculated 
to  do  a vast  amount  of  good. — Houtzdale  Advance. 

A CREDITABLE  OUTPUT. 

The  first  number  of  the  headquarters  publication  of  the 
Journal  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  is  to  hand, 
and  is  a very  creditable  output  of  the  new  printing  office  and 
the  news  editors.  It  is  rather  more  than  an  official  publica- 
tion, however,  and  in  the  editorial  departments  the  editors 
will  find  scope  for  the  practice  of  the  skill  in  journalism  that 
comes  only  with  natural  aptitude  for  and  experience  in  the 
work,  and  which  is  invariably  missing  in  publications  that 
have  not  the  good  fortune  to  have  these  qualities  at  com- 
mand.— National  Labor  Tribune. 

A TYPOGRAPHICAL  BEAUTY. 

Number  1,  Volume  1,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal 
has  just  reached  our  table.  It  is  a six  column  folio,  and  typo- 
graphically is  a beauty.  It  will  be  published  every  week,  at 
Columbus,  by  the  Executive  Board  of  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers. If  the  initial  number  may  be  taken  as  a sample  of  what 
the  paper  will  be,  we  can  unhesitatingly  say  that  it  is  the  best 
miners’  paper  in  the  country,  and  there  is  enough  ability  on 
the  executive  board  to  maintain  its  standard. — Spring  Valley 
Gazette. 

WORTHY  A LARGE  CIRCULATION. 

Volume  1,  Number  1,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal 
reached  our  table  on  Saturday.  It  is  published  at  Columbus, 
Ohio.  If  the  initial  number  is  an  index  of  what  the  paper 


Comment  on  First  Issue  of  Journal 


221 


will  be,  it  is  worthy  of  a large  circulation,  especially  among 
the  mine  workers,  in  whose  interests  it  is  sent  out.  It  is  a 
large,  six-column  quarto,  and  is  crowded  full  of  interesting 
labor  news  from  various  sections  of  the  country. — The  Fulton 
Sig'nal. 

“A  LIGHT  SPEEDER.’" 

We  are  in  receipt  of  Volume  1,  Number  1,  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  Journal,  published  by  that  organization,  at 
Columbus,  Ohio.  It  is  an  eight-page,  six-column  “light 
speeder”  that  will  be  useful  to  all  miners. — Lonaconing,  Md., 
Review. 

On  June  23,  1892,  Sub-District  6,  of  District  No.  6,  held 
a convention  at  Bridgeport,  Ohio. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  2 p.  m.  by  President 
C.  H.  Smith,  and  the  credentials  committee,  C.  A.  Robbins, 
Joseph  Wardle  and  George  Miller,  reported  the  following 
names  of  delegates  that  were  given  seats  in  the  convention: 
George  McMillan,  George  Benlow,  William  Brown,  Charles 
Robbins,  Charles  Henning,  Hall  Hogan,  Adam  Miller,  Michael 
Jackson,  Sherman  Glasgow,  Thomas  McGough,  Mathew 
Brooks,  M.  J.  Young,  Joseph  Wardle,  Mathew  Charlton,  M.  W. 
Peters,  Fin.  Gallagher,  G.  W.  Scheck  and  Lewis  Long. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees,  the  convention  ad- 
journed. 

SECOND  day’s  session. 

At  this  convention,  resolutions  were  adopted  as  follows : 

Asking  pay  for  dead  work,  narrow  work,  going  through 
clay  veins,  and  advising  the  district  officers  to  try  and  bring 
about  a joint  meeting  with  operators  to  adjust  grievances. 
The  board  meeting  decided  that  no  officer  except  the  president 
and  secretary,  receive  pay  for  attending  conventions.  The 
delegates  represented  1,300  union  men. 

C.  H.  Smith,  President, 

Sherman  Glasgow,  Secretary. 


CHAPTER  XL 

SUB-DISTRICT  NO.  1,  OF  DISTRICT  NO.  6,  REORGAN- 
IZED. 

Corning,  Ohio,  July  4,  1892. 

According  to  call  for  convention  of  all  the  miners  in  the 
Hocking,  outside  of  the  Sunday  Creek  Valley,  both  pick  and 
machine,  a meeting  was  held  at  New  Straitsville,  Ohio,  on 
Saturday,  July  2,  1892,  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  the  best 
means  whereby  each  and  every  man  can  have  a fair  division 
of  the  work  of  the  valley,  to  prevent  discrimination  against 
our  best  men,  and  if  necessary,  to  recognize  Sub-District 
No.  1.  Delegates  met  in  K.  of  L.  hall  at  9 o’clock  sharp. 
President  John  Nugent  called  the  convention  to  order,  with 
W.  C.  Pearce  acting  as  secretary.  On  motion,  the  chair 
appointed  the  following  committee  on  credentials : Fred  Dil- 
cher.  Brush  Fork;  E.  Riley,  Nelsonville;  J.  S.  Wilson,  New 
Straitsville;  and  J.  J.  Eddy,  Shawnee. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  dele- 
gates entitled  to  seats  in  the  convention:  Thomas  Morarity, 

Fred  Dilcher,  Jobs;  J.  J.  Eddy,  John  0.  Davis,  James  Hum- 
phrey, W.  W.  Davis,  Shawnee;  Pat  O’Conner,  Thomas  Leek, 
J.  S.  Wilson,  New  Straitsville;  R.  F.  Friley,  Glenwood;  S.  E. 
Holt,  Sand  Run;  Levi  Nutter,  Brashears;  R.  J.  Jones,  Mur- 
ray City;  John  Cohagen,  Haydenville;  F.  M.  Ervine,  Red- 
field;  John  Carnes,  Andrew  Brown,  Enoch  Riley,  Thomas 
Reed,  George  Wend,  Nelsonville;  David  Potter,  Summers; 
John  McGarvey,  Johnsons;  Jonathan  Costlett,  Hamley  Run; 
M.  Sweeney,  Carbondale;  Morgan  Lewis,  Buchtel;  Edmond 
Thomas,  Longstreth;  Simon  Lovett,  Monday;  representing 
three  thousand  and  nine  men. 

After  a lengthy  discussion  by  the  delegates  regarding  con- 
ditions in  different  localities,  in  which  quite  a number  took 
part.  Brother  J.  J.  Eddy  moved  and  Brother  Jonathan  Costlett 
seconded,  that  we  at  once  proceed  to  reorganize  Sub-District 
No.  1.  After  further  discussion,  the  vote  was  taken,  all  dele- 
gates voting  in  favor  of  reorganization  except  one.  The  chair 
declared  the  convention  in  favor  of  Sub-District  No.  1. 

(222) 


Ohio  Sub-District  1 Reorganized 


223 


On  motion,  the  chair  appointed  the  following  committees : 
On  reorganization,  Thomas  Morarity,  J.  J.  Eddy,  J.  S.  Wilson, 
E.  Riley,  Morgan  Lewis.  On  regulations,  Fred  Dilcher, 
Thomas  Leek,  E.  A.  Thomas,  W.  W.  Davis,  S.  E.  Holt. 

Adjourned  until  1 :30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

At  1 :30  p.  m.,  President  Nugent  announced  the  time  had 
come  to  proceed  with  business. 

Motion,  that  Thomas  Moore,  of  Orbiston,  be  allowed  a seat 
in  the  convention. 

Report  of  committee  on  reorganization  was  as  follows : 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  Sub- 
District  No.  1,  of  District  6,  of  the  U.  M.  W.  A. 

Section  2.  This  organization  shall  comprise  all  mines, 
both  pick  and  machine,  in  old  Sub-District  No.  1,  and  have 
jurisdiction  over  all  L.  U.’s  and  L.  A.’s  in  the  district. 

Section  3.  The  objects  of  this  organization  shall  be  to 
carry  out  the  principles  of  justice  and  equity  to  the  miners 
and  mine  laborers  of  this  sub-district,  and  to  maintain  the 
principles  of  organization  and  all  agreements  entered  into  by 
the  national  and  state  organizations  as  to  prices  and  usages 
in  the  performance  of  our  work  as  craftsmen  in  this  district. 

Article  II — Officers  and  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  organization  shall  be  one 
President  or  Master  Workman,  one  Vice-President  or  Worthy 
Foreman,  one  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  an  Executive  Board 
of  five  members,  two  of  whom  shall  be  the  President  and  Sec- 
retary, who,  by  virtue  of  their  offices,  shall  be  President  and 
Secretary  of  the  Executive  Board. 

Section  2.  The  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  pre- 
side at  all  conventions  of  the  sub-district,  sign  all  orders 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  and  all  documents  that  may  require 
his  signature.  He  shall  fill  all  vacancies  caused  otherwise  than 
by  expiration  of  office. 

Section  3.  The  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman  shall 
preside  in  the  absence  of  the  President  or  Master  Workman, 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  required  of  him  by 
the  President  or  Master  Workman. 

Section  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  record  all  pro- 
ceedings of  the  sub-district  conventions  and  perform  all  other 
clerical  work  that  may  be  assigned  him  by  the  President  or 
Master  Workman.  He  shall  draw  all  orders  on  the  Treasurer 


224 


United  Mine  Wokkers  of  America 


and  shall  receive  all  money  from  the  secretaries  of  all  Local 
Unions  and  Local  Assemblies,  and  he  shall  receipt  for  the 
same.  He  shall  cash  all  orders  signed  by  the  President  or 
Master  Workman,  which  shall  be  his  vouchers  in  the  settle- 
ment of  his  accounts.  Upon  his  resignation,  removal  or  expi- 
ration of  office,  he  shall  turn  over  all  books,  papers  or  other 
property  belonging  to  the  sub-district  to  his  successor,  and, 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties  he  shall  give  a bond 
of  $200,  to  be  approved  by  three  or  more  members  of  the 
Executive  Board,  and  deposit  the  same  with  the  President  or 
Master  Workman. 

Section  5.  Where  any  difficulty  arises  in  the  sub-district 
that  cannot  be  amicably  or  satisfactorily  adjusted  by  the  mine 
committee  or  local,  the  local  secretary  shall  transmit  a de- 
tailed statement  of  the  existing  grievance  to  the  President  or 
Master  Workman,  who,  after  a careful  investigation  of  the 
same,  shall  settle  it  if  possible,  but,  should  his  decision  prove 
.unsatisfactory  to  the  mine  or  local  interested,  said  mine  or 
local  shall  have  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Executive  Board. 
Should  the  President  or  Master  Workman  fail  at  any  time  to 
settle  any  grievance  presented  to  him,  he  shall  convene  the 
Executive  Board  to  consider  the  same  and,  should  the  board 
fail  to  effect  a satisfactory  adjustment,  the  case  shall  then  be 
referred  to  the  District  President  or  Master  Workman.  Work 
shall  be  continued  and  no  member  shall  be  discharged  pending 
the  investigation  of  any  grievance  by  the  President  or  Master 
Workman  or  the  Executive  Board. 

Article  III — 'Nomination  and  Election  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  The  nomination  and  election  of  officers  shall 
be  the  same  as  specified  in  Article  IV,  Sections  1,  2,  and  3,  of 
the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  District  6. 

Article  IV — Salaries. 

Section  1.  In  addition  to  actual  expenses,  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer  shall  receive  $30  per  annum,  and  the  President  or 
Master  Workman  and  each  member  of  the  Executive  Board, 
when  called  upon  to  act  in  their  official  capacity,  $2.50  per  day 
while  so  employed. 

Article  V. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  sub-district  shall  be  de- 
rived from  all  local  unions  and  local  assemblies  under  its 
jurisdiction,  which  shall  pay  to  the  Secretary-Treasurer  the 
sum  of  1 cent  per  member  per  month. 

Section  2.  The  Executive  Board  shall  have  the  power  to 
reduce  the  per  capita  tax  or  assess  the  members  whenever 
they  deem  it  necessary. 


Constitution,  Sub-District  1 of  Ohio 


225 


Section  3.  This  sub-district  shall  meet  quarterly,  and  the 
place  of  meeting  be  designated  by  the  preceding  convention. 
The  first  meeting  shall  be  held  in  New  Straitsville  for  the  pur- 
pose of  the  election  of  officers. 

Section  4.  Each  local  union  and  local  assembly  having 
paid  all  dues  and  assessments  of  this  sub-district,  shall  be 
entitled  to  one  vote  for  fifty  members  or  less,  and  one  vote  for 
each  additional  fifty  members  or  major  fraction  thereof.  Lo- 
cals having  more  than  one  vote  may  give  all  votes  to  one 
delegate. 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  no  man  shall  get  work  in  any  mine 
in  this  sub-district  except  miner’s  sons  coming  of  age  accord- 
ing to  law,  without  a good  union  card,  after  the  first  day  of 
August,  1892. 

Article  VI. 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  shall  only  be 
made  at  the  regular  annual  session  of  this  sub-district,  and 
all  amendments  must  be  submitted  in  writing. 

Section  2.  Resolved,  That  any  miner  in  our  midst  that  is 
out  of  employment  and  whom  the  company  will  not  hire,  we 
take  them  in  with  us,  and  share  our  work  with  them,  with  the 
understanding  that  the  men  hired  go  back  to  their  own  mine 
when  it  starts  up;  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  in  a locality  that  has  no  work,  the  state 
and  district  president  distribute  the  men  of  such  locality 
where  they  can  be  handled  the  best  and  to  the  greatest  ad- 
vantage to  themselves  and  the  organization. 

Section  3.  Motion,  that  the  first  quarterly  meeting  be  held 
in  New  Straitsville,  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  September,  1892. 

Section  4.  That  on  account  of  location,  Carbondale  be 
considered  in  the  Jackson  county  district. 

Resolved,  That  this  Sub-District  No.  1 indorse  the  action 
of  the  Sunday  Creek  miners  in  their  enforcement  of  the  day 
scale. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  condemn  all  back-action 
screens,  and  indorse  the  action  of  our  state  officers  in  taking 
steps  toward  abolishing  the  same. 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS. 

President  or  Master  Workman — Chas.  Call,  New  Straits- 
ville. 

Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman — Enoch  Riley,  Nelson- 
ville. 

Secretary-Treasurer — Fred  Dilcher,  Orbiston. 


226 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Executive  Board — J.  J.  Eddy,  Shawnee;  Morgan  Lewis, 
Buchtel;  R.  J.  Jones,  Murray  City. 

After  the  election  of  officers.  President  Nugent  called 
President  Call  to  the  chair,  who  made  a very  able  address. 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  convention  be 
printed  in  the  official  journals,  also  in  book  form. 

Resolved,  That  next  annual  convention  be  held  on  the  last 
Tuesday  in  March,  1893. 

All  business  being  done,  the  convention  adjourned. 


In  August,  1892,  Vice-President  Penna,  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  was  at  Louisville,  Colorado,  and 
issued  a call  for  a miners’  convention,  that  was  held  at  Pueblo, 
on  Wednesday,  August  10,  1892,  and  organized  District  15, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America.  William  Howells  was 
elected  president. 

A constitution  was  adopted,  an  executive  board  elected, 
and  the  president  advised  to  canvass  the  coal  field  for  the  pur- 
pose of  building  up  an  organization  throughout  the  state. 

On  a visit  to  Starkville,  Colorado,  Vice-President  Penna 
met  his  old  friend,  and  once  co-worker,  Daniel  McLaughlin, 
and  said  of  him : 

“He  is  comfortably  situated,  beloved  by  his  friends  and 
respected  by  his  employers;  conservative  and  just  in  his 
treatment  of  employes  as  he  ever  was  to  the  operators  when 
employed  by  us.  His  name  is  known  in  every  mining  camp 
in  Colorado  and,  with  the  exception  of  a possible  half  dozen 
men,  the  verdict  is  unanimous  that  he  is  the  same  honest  old 
Dan.  I am  proud  of  this,  as  showing  that  a man  can  be  a man 
under  any  and  all  circumstances,  if  the  stuff  is  in  him.” 

COMMENTS  OF  EDITOR  JOHN  KANE. 

United  Mine  Workers  Journal,  September  1,  1892. 

Emperor  William  of  Germany,  it  is  reported,  is  deeply 
concerned  over  the  alarming  proportions  of  the  cholera  epi- 
demic in  Europe. 

He  is  reported  as  pushing  vigorous  measures  to  save  the 


W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 


VICE-PRESIDENT  PENNA. 


b 


One  Sub-District  in  Hocking  Valley 


227 


troops.  But  why  the  troops  any  more  than  the  civilians?  If 
his  efforts  were  directed  to  all  in  an  equal  degree,  there  would 
be  less  reason  to  think  that  his  heart  was  set  more  on  military 
pomp  and  power  than  on  the  social  progress  of  the  Fatherland. 
Emperors  though,  as  a rule,  like  their  armies  in  about  the 
same  manner  that  the  poacher  likes  his  ferret,  and  it  is  natu- 
ral that  they  should  try  to  preserve  them.  It  helps  them  to  be 
emperors  and  to  cut  a dash. 

The  National  Executive  Board  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  met  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  September  12  and  13, 
1892,  and  after  mapping  out  a plan,  or  general  campaign,  for 
the  future,  Michael  Ratchford  was  unanimously  elected  to  fill 
the  unexpired  term  of  John  P.  Jones,  who  had  resigned  as  a 
member  of  the  board,  owing  to  his  having  been  appointed  as 
one  of  the  seven  assistant  mine  inspectors  for  Ohio. 

FIRST  QUARTERLY  MEETING  OF  SUB-DISTRICT  1, 

DISTRICT  6. 

PROCEEDINGS. 

The  first  quarterly  meeting  of  Sub-District  1 of  District  6, 
was  held  at  New  Straitsville,  Ohio,  on  September  27,  1892,  and 
after  a very  lengthy  discussion  on  the  machine  sub-district, 
the  convention  got  down  to  business  and  the  president  ap- 
pointed the  committees.  The  committee  on  credentials 
reported,  and  the  following  delegates  were  found  to  have 
seats  in  the  convention : J.  W.  True,  Robert  Griffith,  Upson’s ; 
H.  J.  Brown,  Whipporwill ; Charles  E.  Whittington,  day  men, 
Upson’s ; Adam  McLain,  Smith’s ; and  M.  Bealor,  XX, 
Shawnee;  Henry  Varity,  Raybould’s;  Enoch  Riley,  Buckeye; 
George  Wend,  Hocking  Valley  mine;  G.  W.  Pearce,  Poston’s, 
and  J.  M.  Stillwell,  Juniper  and  Lampman,  Nelsonville;  Simon 
Lovett,  No.  3,  Monday;  J.  M.  Dilley,  No.  29,  Murray  City; 
Edmond  Thomas,  L.  U.  277,  Longstreth;  Levi  Nutter,  U.  U. 
355,  Brashears;  T.  F.  Moriarity,  Job’s  mine,  and  J.  B.  Glancy, 
Job’s  mine,  Orbison;  J.  S.  Wilson,  New  Straitsville;  Sam 
Shuttleworth,  Morris  mine.  Sand  Run;  Jonathan  Coslett, 
Hamley  Run,  representing  Local  Association  and  Local  Union. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed : 


228 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  we  favor  a complete  organization  of 
Hocking,  Perry  and  Athens  counties  including  both  pick  and 
machine  miners  and  mine  laborers  into  a sub-district  of  dis- 
trict 6. 

This  motion  was  adopted  by  a unanimous  vote  of  the 
convention  and  it  seemed  to  bring  with  it  that  good  feeling 
that  should  and  must  exist  between  the  pick  and  machine 
miners. 

This  was  the  majority  report  and  another  resolution  of  the 
minority  was  presented  by  Brother  Moriarity  and  after  a 
great  deal  of  controversy  by  the  convention  and  lots  of  good 
points  brought  to  bear,  on  the  same  it  was  passed  without 
a dissenting  vote.  Below  find  the  resolution  as  passed : 

Gentlemen  and  Brothers  of  Sub-district  No.  1 : As  there 
is  a misunderstanding  in  regard  to  the  necessity  of  holding 
a machine  district  and  still  continue  sub-district  No.  1,  I 
will  say  as  one  of  your  committee  on  resolutions  that  it  is 
of  absolute  necessity  to  continue  the  machine  sub-district  at 
Murray  City  which  I will  state  reasons  for.  We  have  had 
advice  to  formulate  said  district  through  one  or  two  of  our 
ablest  diplomatists,  namely,  J.  P.  Jones  and  John  Nugent, 
both  officials  of  high  standing  in  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America.  Their  advice  was  to  organize  a machine  sub-district 
in  order  to  amicably  understand  each  other  as  machine  miners 
and  become  a unit  on  any  question  of  interest,  as  long  as  they 
keep  within  the  bounds  of  reason  and  in  conformity  with  the 
pick  miners. 

Resolved,  That  we  indorse  the  agreement  of  the  adjust- 
ment of  wet  entry  prices,  which  were  made  July  27,  1892, 
and  are  opposed  to  any  change  whatever. 

Resolved,  That  a member  falling  in  arrears  have  the 
privilege  of  paying  up  his  dues  into  the  local  union  or  local 
assembly  where  he  may  reside;  and  this  resolution  as  pre- 
sented refers  back  to  the  constitution  which  will  be  printed  in 
a very  short  time  and  sent  to  all  local  assemblies  and  local 
unions  in  the  district. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  the  enforcement  of  Article  V, 
Section  4,  of  the  constitution  in  relation  to  working  cards  in 
the  sub-district ; latter  clause  of  Section  4. 

Resolved,  That  we  understand  the  agreement  between  the 
operators  and  miners  that  where  the  company  does  the 
harnessing  that  the  drivers  leave  the  stable  at  ten  minutes 
to  7 o’clock,  and  where  the  drivers  have  to  do  the  harnessing, 
the  drivers  commence  to  harness  at  ten  minutes  before  7 


Hocking  Machine  Miners’  Convention 


229 


o’clock  and  leave  the  barn  as  soon  as  possible  thereafter. 
This  to  be  rigidly  enforced  on  and  after  October  1,  1892, 
throughout  this  Sub-district  1. 

Our  worthy  district  president,  Brother  Nugent,  came  in 
on  the  10:30  train  and  gave  us  a brotherly  and  very  sensible 
talk  on  the  condition  of  things  in  general  throughout  the  state. 

Brother  Pritchard  of  Sunday  Creek,  of  United  Mine 
Workers’  Journal,  was  a very  attentive  visitor  and  told  us  a 
few  things  concerning  matters  on  the  other  side  of  the  valley. 

Our  next  convention  will  be  held  in  Shawnee,  the  date  to 
be  set  by  President  Call. 

Would  say  to  the  miners  of  Sunday  Creek,  those  who  may 
not  happen  to  get  my  letter,  that  I would  like  them  to  act 
on  the  resolution  favoring  a complete  organization  of  the 
three  counties  into  one  sub-district  of  district  No.  6,  whether 
they  are  or  not  in  favor  of  it,  and  send  their  answer  to  me 
at  once,  so  that  I can  report  to  the  president,  that  the  call  for 
the  next  meeting  at  Shawnee  may  be  set. 

Fred  Dilcher,  Secretary. 

HOCKING  VALLEY  MACHINE  MEN  IN  CONVENTION. 

Murray  City,  Ohio,  October  1,  1892. 

President  Farms  took  the  chair  and  the  following  delegates 
were  present:  Marion  George,  Brashears;  Jesse  DeVore, 

Blatchford;  Daniel  Oldroyd,  Jacksonville;  Joseph  Hunter, 
Nelsonville;  Samuel  Shuttleworth,  Sand  Run;  M.  Harrington, 
Carrington ; Thomas  Moriarity,  R.  H.  Morrison,  Orbiston. 

The  first  business  was  the  resolution  passed  at  Straitsville 
by  Sub-district  No.  1 in  regard  to  the  consolidation  of  the 
three  counties  into  one  sub-district  both  pick  and  machine 
miners  and  mine  laborers.  The  following  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  question  of  the  formation  of  the  three 
counties  into  one  sub-district,  both  pick  and  machine  miners 
and  mine  laborers  is  referred  back  to  our  constituents  for 
their  action.  Their  answer  to  be  returned  at  once  to  the 
secretary  of  machine  and  Sub-district  No.  1. 

A resolution  was  offered  in  regard  to  the  initiation  fee  of 
the  machine  sub-district.  As  District  No.  1 passed  that  no  one 


230 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


could  get  work  in  the  district  without  a good  clearance  card 
from  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  the  machine  dis- 
trict reconsidered  their  initiation  fee  and  passed  this  resolu- 
tion: 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  the  reconsideration  of  the  initia- 
tion fee  in  the  machine  sub-district,  and  we  submit  it  back 
to  our  constituents  for  their  action;  their  answer  to  be  re- 
turned at  our  next  meeting. 

The  operators  called  upon  our  district  president  and  secre- 
tary and  asked  that  the  loading  of  cannel  coal  in  machine 
mines  be  arbitrated  and  that  a committee  of  four  be  appointed, 
two  from  the  miners’  side  and  two  from  the  operators’  side, 
and  in  case  that  the  four  could  not  settle  the  matter  the  fifth 
man  was  to  be  called  upon  for  his  decision.  Brother  Charles 
Call,  president  of  Sub-District  1,  came  down  by  instructions 
from  District  President  Nugent,  and  the  convention  appointed 
the  committee  asked  for  by  the  operators,  and  by  Brother 
Nugent,  President  W.  E.  Farms,  and  Secretary  Fred  Dilcher 
were  appointed  upon  the  board  as  the  miner’s  representatives 
and  will  meet  the  operators  in  Columbus  in  a very  short  time 
on  very  important  matters,  the  double  shift  entries  and  the 
loading  of  cannel  coal,  and  it  is  our  desire  that  both  cases  will 
be  decided  at  the  same  time  to  save  an  extra  expense  of  two 
separate  meetings  of  the  board,  and  our  constituents  are 
getting  tired  of  waiting  any  longer  for  the  settlement  of  the 
double  shift  entry  question. 

The  next  resolution  was  passed  by  an  unanimous  vote  of 
the  convention,  representing  over  2,000  miners,  and  there  is 
a great  deal  of  good,  honest,  common  sense  in  it : 

Whereas,  It  is  customary  and  more  or  less  general  with 
quite  a number  of  our  machine  operators,  when  places  get 
too  hard  or  too  dangerous  to  be  worked  with  machines,  to 
give  them  to  the  miners  to  be  worked  with  the  pick,  and  as 
soon  as  they  get  normal  and  safe  again  they  are  again  turned 
into  machine  places;  and,  whereas,  we  believe  that  this  is 
neither  fair,  reasonable  or  in  harmony  with  the  spirit  of  our 
agreement  of  prices  that  we  should  only  have  hard  or  unsafe 
places  to  work  in  when  we  are  working  with  the  pick  and 
receiving  only  70  cents  per  ton;  therefore. 


District  23  Convention,  October,  1892. 


231 


Resolved,  That  when  any  case  similar  to  the  aforesaid 
arises  that  they  be  paid  extra  for ; and 

Resolved,  further.  That  this  question  be  referred  to  our 
constituents  for  their  consideration,  their  answer  to  be  re- 
turned at  our  next  regular  meeting. 

W.  E.  Farms,  President. 

Fred  Dilcher,  Secretary. 

OFFICIAL  REPORT. 

CONVENTION  PROCEEDINGS  OF  DISTRICT  23  EARLY  IN  OCTOBER, 

1892.  DISTRICT  LAWS  AND  CONSTITUTION  ADOPTED  AND 

OTHER  WORK  DONE. 

Central  City  Kentucky. 

At  9 :30  a.  m.,  the  convention  was  called  to  order,  after 
which  the  following  committee  on  credentials  was  appointed : 
J.  B.  Brace,  W.  G.  Fulkerson,  and  Chris  Collingwood. 

They  reported  delegates  as  follows;  R.  A.  Bostic,  H.  C. 
Johnson,  W.  G.  Fulkerson,  J.  C.  Collingwood,  Edward  Brown, 
J.  B.  Brace,  M.  F.  Ward,  James  Gillan. 

Committee  on  Laws — W.  G.  Fulkerson,  J.  B.  Brace,  R.  A. 
Bostic,  and  Chris  Collingwood. 

Committee  on  Good  of  the  Order — James  Gillan,  M.  F. 
Ward,  and  Edward  Brown. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  until  1 o’clock,  in  order  to 
give  the  committees  time  to  make  up  their  reports. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  committee  on  by-laws  made  the  following  report : We, 
your  committee  on  by-laws,  beg  leave  to  recommend  that  we 
adopt  the  preamble  and  constitution  of  the  national  organ- 
ization. The  recommendation  was  adopted. 

The  following  district  constitution  was  read  and  approved : 

Article  I. — Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America  District  23,  composed  of 
National  Trade  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor  and  the 
National  Progressive  Union. 

Sec.  2.  The  objects  of  this  union  are  to  unite  mine  em- 
ployes and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  concilia- 
tion, arbitration  or  strikes. 


232 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sec.  3.  This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its 
affiliated  bodies  which  shall  be  governed  in  all  trade  matters 
by  this  constitution. 

Article  II. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  district  shall  be  one  presi- 
dent or  master  workman,  one  vice-president  or  worthy  fore- 
man, one  secretary-treasurer,  and  an  executive  board  of  five 
members,  three  of  whom  shall  be  the  president,  vice-presi- 
dent and  secretary -treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  at  each  con- 
vention. 

Sec.  2.  The  president  or  master  workman  shall  preside  at 
all  general  meetings  of  the  union;  he  shall  sign  all  official 
documents  when  satisfied  of  their  correctness.  He  shall,  with 
the  consent  of  the  executive  board,  fill  by  appointment,  all 
vacancies  occurring  in  the  district,  and  in  like  manner  he  is 
empowered  to  suspend  or  remove  any  district  officer  for 
insubordination,  or  just  and  sufficient  cause. 

Sec.  3.  The  secretary-treasurer  shall  have  charge  of  and 
preserve  all  books,  documents,  and  effects  of  the  district  office, 
shall  record  proceedings  of  all  conventions  and  of  meetings 
of  the  executive  board  and  shall  keep  copies  of  important 
letters  sent  out  by  him;  he  shall  receive  and  receipt  for  all 
money  and  pay  all  current  expenses,  he  shall  prepare  and 
submit  to  the  locals  a quarterly  report  of  all  money  received 
and  disbursed  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be 
assigned  him. 

Sec.  4.  The  executive  board  shall  constitute  the  district 
board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation,  shall  execute  orders  of 
district  conventions,  and  between  conventions  shall  have  full 
power  to  direct  the  working  of  the  union.  The  board  shall 
be  convened  by  the  president  or  master  workman  or  by  the 
secretary-treasurer  at  the  request  of  three  members  of  said 
board. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  union  shall  be  derived  from 
local  unions  and  local  assemblies  which  shall  pay  direct  to 
the  district  secretary-treasurer  10  cents  per  month  per 
member;  fractional  members  shall  pay  in  proportion. 

Sec.  2.  The  convention  shall  be  held  semi-annually  on  the 
second  Tuesday  in  March  and  September,  at  such  place  as 
shall  be  determined  upon  bj^  each  preceding  meeting.  Special 
conventions  shall  be  called  by  the  president  or  master  work- 
man when  so  instructed  by  the  executive  board  or  at  the  re- 
quest of  five  local  unions  or  local  assemblies. 

Sec.  3.  No  local  assembly  or  local  union  shall  be  entitled 
to  representation  in  district  convention  who  has  not  in  every 
particular  complied  with  the  constitution  of  the  district. 


Constitution  District  23,  1892. 


233 


Article  IV. 

Section  1.  When  trouble  of  a local  character  arises  be- 
tween members  of  any  local  assembly  or  local  union  and  their 
employers  the  officers  of  said  locals  shall  endeavor  to  effect 
an  amicable  adjustment,  and  failing  in  this,  they  shall  im- 
mediately notify  the  district  officers,  who  shall  immediately 
investigate  the  cause  of  complaint. 

Article  V. — Qualifications  and  Salary  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  A member  in  good  standing  in  either  branch 
of  the  organization  shall  be  eligible  to  hold  office  in  the  dis- 
trict, provided  he  has  been  a member  of  an  affiliated  local 
union  or  local  assembly  for  six  months  prior  to  his  election, 
and  becomes  a member  of  both  branches  before  qualifying  for 
the  office  to  which  he  has  been  elected. 

Article  VI. 

Section  1.  No  person  a member  of  the  organization  who 
holds  a financial'  or  clearance  card,  showing  him  to  be  a 
financial  member  and  in  good  standing,  shall  be  debarred  or 
hindered  from  obtaining  work  on  account  of  race,  creed  or 
nationality. 

Sec.  2.  Any  local  assembly  or  local  union,  who  shall  wil- 
fully violate  the  above  shall,  if  proven  guilty,  for  the  first 
offense  be  suspended  from  all  rights  and  privileges  for  three 
months,  and  for  the  second’  offense,  suspended  for  six  months 
or  as  long  as  is  deemed  best  by  the  district  executive  board. 

The  boundary  of  this.  District  23,  includes  all  the  coal 
fields  in  Kentucky,  southwest  of  the  mountain  districts  in 
Kentucky,  and  Tennessee  south  of  Chattanooga. 

Article  VII. — Officers’  Salaries. 

Section  1.  The  president  or  master  workman,  secretary- 
treasurer,  vice-president  or  worthy  foreman  and  members  of 
the  executive  board  shall  receive  $2  per  day  and  actual  expense 
(which  is  board  and  car  fare).  The  secretary-treasurer 
shall  receive  $5  per  month  for  services,  etc.,  as  secretary. 

Sec.  2.  All  members  of  the  executive  board  are  under  the 
supervision  of  the  president  or  master  workman  and  in  no  case 
are  they  entitled  k)  pay  for  services  unless  they  are  ordered 
to  do  and  render  said  services  by  the  president  or  secretary. 

Sec.  3.  The  above  amount  of  per  capita  tax  shall  be  paid 
unless  the  above  amount  is  deemed  more  than  an  adequate 
amount  to  pay  expenses,  in  which  event  the  per  capita  tax 
shall  be  no  more  than  6 cents  per  member. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


PRESIDENT  CALL  OF  SUB-DISTRICT  1 WRITES  VIGOR- 
OUSLY ON  THE  QUESTIONS  AFFECTING  PICK 
AND  MACHINE  MINERS. 

New  Straitsville,  Ohio,  October  17,  1892. 

The  first  quarterly  meeting  of  Sub-district  1 was  held  in 
New  Straitsville,  September  27,  and  although  the  miners  were 
not  all  duly  notified,  yet  there  was  a large  representation  from 
the  district.  The  machine  question  was  paramount  to  all 
others  in  the  convention,  which  was  stated  in  the  secretary’s 
report  in  the  United  Mine  Wor'kers’  Journal.  But  I will  have 
to  correct  a mistake  he  made  in  his  report.  He  stated  that  the 
convention  was  a unit  on  allowing  the  machine  sub-district  to 
conduct  their  own  affairs,  as  they  were  better  qualified  to  do 
so.  I will  say  for  the  benefit  of  the  machine  miners  who  have 
already  withdrawn  from  the  machine  district,  that  the  conven- 
tion did  nothing  of  the  kind.  The  feeling  of  the  delegates  was 
just  the  reverse.  But  the  delegates  thought  it  wise  to  not 
interfere  with  that  district  at  present,  and  that  time  would 
demonstrate  to  the  machine  miners  that  we  have  no  use  for 
two  sub-districts.  Instead  of  being  divided  into  four  sub- 
districts Numbers  1,  8,  9,  and  machine,  I advised  the  calling 
of  the  three  counties  together.  Perry,  Hocking  and  Athens, 
and  then  form  a sub-district  of  District  6,  not  of  machine 
miners  or  pick  miners,  but  of  members  of  the  United  IMine 
Workers  of  America;  and  a resolution  was  passed  in  accord- 
ance with  my  recommendation,  and  I hope  it  will  meet  the 
approval  of  the  miners  in  the  other  district. 

I received  a letter  from  Chris  Evans,  secretary  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Labor,  on  the  machine  question, 
addressed  to  the  miners  of  the  Hocking  Valley,  which  I read 
to  the  convention  and  which  was  indorsed  by  all  the  delegates 
present.  He  said  in  part,  “I  am  led  to  understand  that  one  of 
the  questions  you  are  called  upon  to  discuss  is:  What  is  the 
relation  of  the  pick  miner  to  his  later  rival,  the  machine? 
That  the  machine  mining  will  play  a very  important  part  in 

(234) 


One  Sub-District  for  Hocking  Valley 


235 


mining  coal  in  the  future  there  is  no  room  for  any  doubt.  To 
deal  with  this  matter  separately  will  only  weaken  the  miner’s 
cause,  while  a combination  of  forces  will  add  great  strength 
and  vigor  to  the  case  you  have  before  you.  The  pick  miner 
of  today  may  be  the  machine  miner  of  tomorrow,  hence,  how 
necessary  it  is  for  them  to  understand  each  other’s  wants,  to 
feel  each  other’s  cares,  and  to  act  in  harmony  upon  all  ques- 
tions that  affect  their  collective  interests  alike. 

‘T  also  see  in  the  last  issue  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’ 
Journal  that  President  Nugent  is  in  favor  of  the  miners  of  the 
three  counties  forming  one  sub-district.  I am  led  to  believe 
that  if  such  a district  was  formed  that  there  would  be  no  iron- 
clad presented  to  the  miners  of  Congo,  as  I understand  by 
Brother  R.  L.  Davis’  letter  there  has  been,  but  I hope  the 
miners  will  refuse  to  sign  such  a contract,  and  if  the  miners 
of  that  mine  allow  a member  to  be  discharged  for  refusing 
to  sign  such  an  infamous  sheet  they  are  not  worthy  to  be 
called  union  men,  and  the  officers  of  the  organization  should 
stop  it  and  at  once,  if  a car  of  coal  should  never  go  up  the 
Congo  shaft.  What  benefit  would  it  be  for  them  to  pay  dues 
to  an  organization  and  then  sign  a contract  to  enslave  them- 
selves. I consider  a contract  of  that  kind  an  insult  to  the 
miners  of  District  6.  We  are  not  in  Virginia  or  Tennessee,  we 
are  in  Ohio.” 

One  of  the  questions  that  will  be  discussed  at  our  next 
convention  will  be  an  advance  on  the  price  of  machine  mining. 
After  eight  years  of  bitter  experience  we  find  that  the  ma- 
chine miner  is  not  paid  equal  to  the  pick  miner.  An  advance 
on  machine  mining  can  only  be  obtained  by  a thorough  organ- 
ization of  both  pick  and  machine  miners.  To  do  this  I advise 
the  miners  who  are  now  out  of  the  organization  to  get  in  and 
the  men  who  already  belong  to  place  themselves  in  a position 
to  not  only  ask  for  an  advance  on  the  1st  day  of  May  next, 
but  demand  it. 

I was  told  by  a responsible  operator  that  there  is  as  much 
difference  between  the  electric  cutting  machine  and  the  com- 
pressed air  in  cost  of  production  as  there  is  between  the  com- 
pressed air  and  the  pick  mining.  If  this  statement  be  true, 
which  I believe  it  to  be,  it  is  time  the  miner  was  receiving  his 
share  of  the  benefits  derived  from  the  cutting  machine. 


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SUB-DISTRICT  MINE  CONVENTION. 

Glouster,  Ohio,  December  10,  1892. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  A.  A. 
Adams,  minutes  of  meeting  held  November  12  read  and  ap- 
proved. 

Three  delegates — John  Fahy,  A.  A.  Adams  and  Philip 
Davis  were  elected  by  the  convention  to  represent  Sub-district 
No.  9 at  the  joint  meeting  of  the  counties  of  Athens,  Perry 
and  Hocking  to  be  held  at  Shawnee,  Ohio,  December  28,  1892. 
Delegates  in  attendance  follow : 

John  Allen,  David  Barclay,  Thomas  Winning,  Richard 
Brown,  John  Penrod,  Hugh  Harvey,  D.  C.  North,  Thomas 
Healy,  Fred  Zimmer,  Philip  Davis,  John  Fahy,  A.  A.  Adams, 
Henry  Bartell. 

Officers  elected — A.  A.  Adams,  President;  David  Barclay, 
Vice-President,  John  Fahy,  Secretary. 

Executive  board  members — Fred.  Zimmer,  Philip  Davis, 
D.  C.  North  and  Thomas  Healy. 

The  auditing  committee  reported  the  accounts  of  Secre- 
tary Fahy  correct  with  a balance  in  the  treasury  of  $80.78 
and  a membership  of  1,600  in  the  sub-district. 

A.  A.  Adams,  President. 

John  Fahy,  Secretary. 

ONE  SUB-DISTRICT  FOR  ATHENS,  HOCKING  AND 
PERRY  COUNTIES,  OHIO. 

On  December  28,  1892,  a convention  was  held  at  Shawnee, 
Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a sub-district  of  District 
No.  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  John  Nugent,  the 
district  president,  at  9 o’clock  a.  m. 

The  committee  on  credentials  consisting  of  John  Fahy  of 
Jacksonville,  Edwards  of  Shawnee,  William  Jenkins  of  Corn- 
ing and  Fred.  Dilcher  of  Orbiston,  reported  forty  delegates 
entitled  to  seats.  Considerable  discussion  was  indulged  in  as 
to  what  would  serve  best  the  interests  involved  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  proposed  project. 


One  Sub-District  for  Hocking  Valley 


237 


A.  A.  Adams,  Charles  Call,  Thomas  Morarity,  Harry  Jones, 
George  Wend,  0.  Dolman,  Isaac  Jones,  Robert  Kirkley,  W.  C. 
Pearce  and  J.  J.  Eddy  were  among  the  representatives  pres- 
ent. 

The  committee  appointed  on  general  rules,  and  laws  to 
govern  the  new-sub-district  reported  as  follows : 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the 
Hocking,  Perry  and  Athens  county  consolidation  and  shall 
form  a sub-district  of  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  provide  for  a uniformity  of  rules  and 
conditions  without  conflicting  in  any  way  with  the  organ- 
ization now  in  existence  and  the  ruling  of  this  body  shall  rank 
superior  to  all  other  organizations  of  the  three  counties  named. 

Sec.  3.  We  are  in  favor  of  adopting  the  constitution  of 
District  6 as  the  constitution  of  this  body  and  that  the  officers 
of  District  6 be  the  presiding  officers  of  this  convention,  and 
we  also  recommend  that  the  meetings  be  held  semi-annually. 

After  the  report  of  the  committee  was  given  to  the  con- 
vention, a motion  made  by  Brother  0.  Dolman  to  accept  com- 
mittee’s report  was  carried. 

The  convention  decided  to  meet  at  Shawnee  every  six 
months  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  March  and  the  last  Tuesday 
in  September  each  year. 

There  were  several  resolutions  brought  in  by  this  com- 
mittee, but  were  sent  back  to  be  brought  before  the  com- 
mittee appointed  for  the  same. 

The  next  was  a resolution  to  have  a committee  appointed 
for  the  purpose  of  having  all  the  rules  now  in  existence  pre- 
sented to  them.  This  committee  to  be  given  power  to  have 
the  same  printed.  All  mines  having  any  rules  to  submit  please 
send  them  to  W.  C.  Pearce,  Corning,  Ohio,  and  through  him 
they  will  be  sent  to  the  committee,  consisting  of  the  following 
brothers:  Robert  Kirkley,  J.  J.  Eddy  and  A.  A.  Adams. 

The  convention  having  finished  its  business  the  time  came 
for  adjournment,  to  make  way  for  convention  of  District  No. 
1.  By  this  new  move  it  brings  together  over  6,000  miners 
who  are  as  solid  as  any  labor  organization  in  the  United 
States. 


238 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


After  the  consolidated  convention  had  adjourned,  Presi- 
dent Call  of  District  No.  1,  called  the  convention  together  and 
after  a few  remarks  a motion  by  Brother  Moriarity  to  adjourn 
was  made  and  convention  adjourned,  subject  to  call  of  the 
president. 

Charles  Call,  President. 

Fred  Dilcher,  Secretary. 


SUB-DISTRICT  NO.  1 CONSOLIDATED  RULES  FOR 
ATHENS,  HOCKING  AND  PERRY  COUNTIES,  OHIO. 


Corning,  Ohio,  January  28,  1893. 

To  John  Nugent  and  Delegates  to  the  Consolidated  Sub- 
District,  Greeting: 

We,  your  committee  on  rules,  beg  to  submit  the  following 
as  general  rules  to  govern  the  three  counties,  after  a careful 
examination  and  close  study  of  all  the  rules  sent  in  by  the 
various  locals,  and  trust  they  will  meet  your  favorable  con- 
sideration as  we  unanimously  recommend  them  for  adoption. 

Yours  truly, 

Robert  Kirkley, 

John  J.  Eddy, 

A.  A.  Adams, 

Committee. 


Article  I. 


Section  1.  Each  and  every  mine  in  the  counties  of  Athens, 
Perry  and  Hocking  shall  be  considered  as  a local  union  of  the 
consolidated  sub-district,  and  all  dues  for  the  organization 
shall  be  checked  off  at  the  mines. 

Sec.  2.  Each  local  shall  elect  such  officers  as  are  deemed 
necessary  to  carry  on  the  business  of  the  locals.  Any  mine 
not  having  local  officers  shall  be  considered  unorganized. 

Sec.  3.  No  person  shall  be  employed  in  the  local  unless  he 
produces  a regular  transfer  card  of  the  United  IMine  Workers 
of  America,  or  by  paying  an  entrance  fee  of  $5,  but  in  no 
case  will  he  be  admitted,  either  by  card  or  fee,  while  members 
of  the  local  are  out  of  employment. 

Article  II. — Hours  of  Labor. 

Section  1.  Nine  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work  for 
all  hands  and  all  overtime  shall  be  paid  for  on  a nine-hour 
basis.  Miners  must  not  enter  the  mine  before  7 o’clock  a.  m., 
nor  be  later  than  6 o’clock  p.  m.  in  coming  out  each  day,  ex- 


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239 


cept  Saturday,  when  all  must  be  out  by  1 o’clock  p.  m.  under 
penalty  of  stopping  their  turn  next  day  the  mine  works. 

Sec.  2.  Day  hands  will  not  be  allowed  to  mine  coal,  but 
shall  have  a share  of  all  dead  work  in  or  around  the  mine, 
excepting  pumping,  tracklaying,  timbering  or  rock  blasting, 
the  same  considered  special  work,  and  no  miners  will  do  day 
work  while  day  men  are  unemployed. 

Sec.  3.  All  work  for  day  men  shall  begin  whenever  charge 
is  taken  of  the  company’s  property,  and,  shall  cease  when 
the  same  is  relinquished. 

Article  III. — Dead  and  Extra  Work. 

Section  1.  In  all  mines  where  places  are  worked  night 
and  day  such  places  shall  be  paid  50  cents  per  yard,  both  in 
pick  and  machine  mines. 

Sec.  2.  All  wet  and  deficient  work  shall  be  paid  for  at 
such  rates  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  mine  boss,  mine 
committee  and  parties  doing  the  work;  dry  shall  mean  ab- 
solutely no  water,  in  the  place. 

Article  IV. — Docking. 

Section  1.  The  system  of  docking  known  as  the  “Double 
Dock”  shall  be  enforced  at  all  mines  in  the  district.  For 
100  pounds  of  dirt,  200  pounds  shall  be  deducted  and  for  200 
pounds  of  dirt,  400  pounds  shall  be  deducted,  etc. 

Sec.  2.  No  mine  or  local  shall  make  any  rule  or  enforce 
any  resolution  in  conflict  with  the  provisions  of  the  foregoing 
rules  or  to  affect  any  other  mine  or  local  in  the  sub-district. 

A SUMMARY  OF  HOCKING  VALLEY,  OHIO,  JOINT 
AGREEMENTS  FOR  DATES  NAMED. 

February  16,  1893. 

Break-Throughs. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  all  dry  break-throughs  be- 
tween rooms  shall  be  50  cents  per  yard  less  than  regular  dry 
entry  price.  (Agreement  of  June  19,  20,  1888.) 

The  price  for  break-throughs  between  entries  shall  be  the 
same  as  for  entry  work.  (Agreement  August  31,  1888.) 

Checkoff. 

Resolved,  The  checkoff  to  be  restored  by  the  companies 
where  it  does  not  exist.  (Agreement,  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Cutting  and  Drilling. 

The  price  of  cutting  and  drilling,  when  done  by  the  ton, 
shall  remain  the  same  as  they  were  at  the  time  this  arbitra- 


240 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


tion  commenced  and  the  companies  shall  have  the  right  to 
employ  cutters  and  drillers  by  the  day;  but  when  the  miners 
are  required  to  do  their  own  drilling  they  shall  receive  the 
same  price  per  ton  as  is  paid  at  Rend’s  mine  at  Jacksonville, 
Ohio.  (Agreement,  January  4,  1887.) 

N.  B.  Just  prior  to  the  arbitration  of  January,  1887,  the 
prices  of  cutting  and  drilling  by  the  ton  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
were : 

Cts.  per  ton 


With  Lechner  machines,  in  rooms .08 

With  Lechner  machines,  in  entries .11 

With  Harrison  macliines,  in  rooms .12i 

With  Harrison  machines,  in  entries .13J 


These  rates,  and  hand  drilling  at  3 cents  per  ton,  as  in 
effect  at  Rend’s  mine  at  Jacksonville  at  date  referred  to  above, 
are  still  in  force  at  this  date,  1892. 

Clay  Veins. 

Agreement  of  May  26,  27,  28,  1890,  reads : 

Resolved,  That  where  clay  veins  are  met  in  mines,  the 
miner  or  miners  together  with  the  mine  boss,  shall  determine 
the  price  or  worth  of  driving  through  and  in  the  event  of  their 
failing  to  agree,  they  shall  call  in  the  local  committee. 

It  is  proposed  that  this  rule  be  amended  so  that  the  last 
clause  shall  read : They  shall  refer  it  to  the  standing  com- 

mittee. 

Da]/  Lalor. 

Scale  of  May  27,  1890,  as  printed  and  circulated : 

Per  day 


Track  layers .$2.25 

Drivers  2.00 

Inside  day  labor 2.00 

Dumpers  2.00 

Trimmers  2.00 

Outside  day  lalior 1.75 

Trappers  .75 


Where  a miner  is  called  upon  by  the  boss  to  perform  day 
labor  he  shall  receive  not  less  than  $2  per  day,  and  no  cars  be 
made  up  for  time  lost  in  that  way.  It  shall  be  optional  with 
the  miner,  however,  to  accept  such  day  labor.  (Agreement 
May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Drivers — Resolved,  that  drivers  leave  stables  at  ten  min- 
utes before  seven  o’clock  a.  m.,  and  leave  the  mines  at  five 
o’clock  p.  m.  for  a day’s  work.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Inasmuch  as  it  was  the  intent  and  meaning  of  the  above 
resolution,  so  conceded  by  both  parties  in  interest,  that  the 
drivers  leave  their  working  places  at  5 p.  m.  and  not  before,  it 
is  suggested  that  this  rule  be  amended  to  read;  and  leave 
their  working  places  at  5 o’clock  p.  m.,  for  a day’s  work. 


Hocking  Valley  Joint  Agreements 


241 


Temporary  stops,  etc. — Resolved,  That  day  men  be  paid 
by  the  hour,  and  that  in  case  of  temporary  stops  during  the 
day,  all  men  in  their  places  shall  be  considered  employed  and 
earning  full  pay  until  notified  by  the  superintendent  or  mine 
boss  of  cessation  of  work  for  that  day;  and  in  no  case  shall 
pay  be  for  less  than  two  hours  in  the  morning’s  work.  This 
does  not  apply  to  afternoon  work,  but  where  mines  work  by 
the  day,  no  change  shall  be  made  from  the  present  system, 
on  account  of  time  allowed  by  the  operators,  in  quarters, 
halves,  three-quarters  and  whole  days.  (Agreement  of  June 
13,  1892.) 

Assistant  dumpers — When  any  dumper  has  an  assistant 
dumper,  the  assistant  shall  be  considered  as  a dumper  and  be 
paid  dumper’s  wages.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Trimmers — All  men  handling  and  cleaning  lump  coal  on 
the  railroad  cars  outside  shall  be  considered  and  paid  as 
trimmers.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Dumpers,  Trimmers — When  the  mines  work  one-half  to 
three-quarters  day,  and  mine  boss  puts  either  dumper  or 
trimmer  to  finish  out  the  day  cleaning  up  bone  coal,  or  any 
other  work  about  hoppers,  he  shall  receive  regular  trimmer’s 
or  dumper’s  wages ; and  in  case  the  mine  is  idle,  if  said  mine 
boss  should  hire  dumpers  and  trimmers  to  clean  up  bone  coal 
or  perform  any  other  outside  work,  said  men  shall  be  paid 
regular  outside  day’s  wages ; giving  the  company  the  privilege 
to  hire  other  men  to  perform  the  above  labor  at  regular  scale 
rates.  (Agreement  of  July  27,  1892.) 

N.  B.  It  was  also  discussed  and  agreed  at  the  meeting 
of  July  27,  1892,  that  the  rule  which  applies  to  outside  day 
labor  also  applies  to  inside  labor. 

Fireman — Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  extra 
time  given  by  the  firemen,  their  wages  be  $2  per  day.  (Agree- 
ment of  June  13,  1892.) 

Outside  labor — Scale  of  May  27,  1890,  as  to  outside  labor 
at  $1.75  per  day  reaffirmed.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Hours  for  a day’s  work — Resolved,  That  nine  hours  be  a 
day’s  work,  and  that  where  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  work 
more  than  nine  hours,  the  extra  time  shall  be  paid  for  on  the 
nine-hour  basis.  (Agreement  of  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Pumpers — Shall  receive  no  less  than  $40  per  month,  and 
such  rate  beyond  that  price  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  between 
pumpers  and  mine  boss.  (Agreement  of  May  27,  1890.) 

Entries. 

The  entries  shall  be  driven  as  fast  as  operators  desire  or 
conditions  permit,  but  in  no  case  will  entry  miners  be  allowed 
more  cars  per  week  than  room  miners,  and  at  least  once  each 


242 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


week  the  turn  shall  be  made  uniform  throughout  the  mine 
for  the  time  previously  worked.  If,  however,  the  regular  turn 
will  not  allow  cars  enough  to  drive  entries  as  fast  as  desired, 
the  operators  shall  increase  the  number  of  miners  in  each 
entry  so  that  by  giving  to  each  the  regular  turn,  the  entries 
shall  be  driven  as  rapidly  as  two  miners  could  do  with  full 
work.  If,  however,  the  room  men  decline  to  take  their  places 
in  the  entries  when  requested  to  do  so  by  the  operators,  then 
the  entry  men  shall  have  free  turns  until  such  times  as  the 
entries  are  driven  the  required  length,  (Agreement  of  Jan- 
uary 5,  1890.) 

Double  shift  and  wet  entries — Shall  be  paid  for  at  such 
additional  rates  per  yard,  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  mine 
boss  and  the  entry  men.  (Agreement  of  January  23,  1888.) 

Wet  entries — Resolved,  That  the  price  of  driving  wet 
entries  be  made  by  and  between  the  mine  boss  and  the  miner 
driving  them ; that  in  case  they  fail  to  agree  on  price,  the 
matter  be  submitted  to  the  miners  and  operators  of  this  joint 
committee,  who  will  investigate  and  agree  on  price;  if  they 
fail  to  agree,  to  call  in  a third  party  mutually  agreed  upon, 
whose  decision  shall  be  final;  work  to  continue  during  the 
investigation,  and  work  to  be  paid  for  at  rate  of  dry  entry. 
If  any  additional  price  is  finally  agreed  to  it  shall  date  from 
date  of  the  commencement  of  the  investigation;  this  agree- 
ment not  to  affect  local  agreements  now  existing  in  wet  en- 
tries. (Agreement  of  July  27,  1892.) 

Sigle  shift  entry — Resolved,  That  the  interpretation  of 
the  contract  shall  be  that  the  price  of  single  shift  dry  entries 
shall  be  $1.75  per  yard  from  May  1,  1888,  to  May  1,  1889; 
and  that  thereafter  the  basis  shall  be  $1.75  per  yard  on  the 
rate  of  70  cent  mining,  and  a rise  or  decline  of  121/2  cents  per 
yard  on  every  rise  or  decline  of  5 cents  in  the  price  of  mining. 
(Agreement  of  June  19,  20,  1888.) 

Double  shift — Whereas,  The  rule  has  been  established  in 
the  Hocking  Valley  in  the  past  years  that  two  men  work  in 
each  entry,  and  that  in  addition  to  entry  coal,  break-throughs 
and  coal  from  room  necks,  a place  has  been  found  for  men 
working  face  entries ; therefore,  resolved,  that  the  term 
“double  shift”  be  applied  to  this  same  work  when  it  is  done 
in  the  night,  and  further  resolved,  that  we  furnish  face  entiy 
men  with  necks  to  load  in  when  their  entries  are  not  cut  or 
not  in  working  condition.  (Agreement  of  l\Iay  24,  1892.) 

Double  shift  entry,  machine  mines — Rate  submitted  to 
arbitration,  by  agreement  of  May  24,  1892. 

Gh'ievance  Committee  and  Ariitration. 

The  committee  of  three  operators  and  three  miners,  as  per 
the  agreement  of  May  27,  1890,  being  obsolete,  never  having 


Hocking  Valley  Joint  Agreements 


243 


been  called  upon  to  act,  and  a standing  committee  having  been 
appointed  by  the  operators  in  May,  1892,  to  take  up  with  the 
miners’  officers  or  representatives  all  questions  of  contro- 
versy, it  is  suggested  that  the  following  take  the  place  of  the 
aforesaid  resolution  of  May  27,  1890,  viz : 

No  strike  or  lock-out  shall  take  place  until  the  matter  in 
dispute  shall  have  been  acted  upon  by  the  miners’  Ohio  officers 
and  the  operators’  standing  committee. 

Loading. 

Taking  effect  September  1,  1888,  when  the  price  of  pick 
mining  is  65  cents  per  ton  in  mines  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
and  Toledo  and  Ohio  Central  district,  loading  in  rooms  shall 
be,  when  the  drilling  is  done  by  the  operator,  321/2  cents  per 
ton;  when  loading  and  drilling  are  both  done  by  the  miner, 
351/^  cents  per  ton. 

Loading  in  entries  when  drilling  is  done  by  the  operator, 
shall  be  41  cents  per  ton ; when  drilling  and  loading  are  done 
by  the  miners,  44  cents  per  ton. 

Loading  in  break-throughs  between  rooms,  6 cents  per  ton 
above  the  price  for  loading  in  rooms,  or  when  drilling  is  done 
by  the  operator,  381/2  cents  per  ton ; when  drilling  is  done  by 
the  miner,  41^  cents  per  ton. 

When  the  pick  mining  advances  to  70  cents  per  ton,  load- 
ing in  rooms  shall  be,  when  drilling  is  done  by  the  operator, 
35  cents  per  ton ; when  drilling  is  done  by  the  miner,  38  cents 
per  ton. 

Loading  in  entries  shall  be,  when  drilling  is  done  by  the 
operator,  431/2  cents  per  ton;  when  drilling  is  done  by  the 
miner,  461/2  cents  per  ton.  (Agreement  of  August  31,  1888.) 

Mining. 

The  joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators  of  Ohio,  at 
Lyndon  Hall,  Columbus,  on  April  7,  1892,  fixed  the  rate  of 
mining  screened  lump  coal  in  the  Hocking  Valley  from  May  1, 
1892,  to  May  1,  1893  (the  same  as  for  the  year  closing  May  1, 
1892)  at  70  cents  per  ton;  the  recognized  relative  price  here- 
tofore existing  to  be  paid  in  the  other  Ohio  district,  viz., 
Jackson  70,  Belmont  70,  and  Tuscarawas  Valley  85  cents  per 
ton. 

Narrow  work — Resolved,  That  all  narrow  work  done  in 
turning  pick  rooms  over  eighteen  feet  be  paid  for  per  yard 
the  same  as  entry,  and  all  narrow  work  done  in  turning  ma- 
chine rooms  be  paid  machine  entry  prices;  and,  Resolved, 
That  miners  working  in  narrow  work  will  be  allowed  a free 
turn  until  they  are  eight  cars  ahead,  then  be  stopped  and  the 


244 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


turn  squared  at  the  end  of  each  week.  (Agreement  of  Mav 
26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Resolved,  That  machine  entry  price  be  paid  for  all  narrow 
work  with  the  exception  of  break-throughs  between  rooms; 
all  other  demands  having  been  withdrawn,  (May  14,  1891.) 

Overloading  Cars. 

The  loading  of  cars  too  heavily  often  causes  loss  to  a 
company  by  reason  of  breakage,  etc.,  yet  we  recognize  the 
fact  that  miners  are  not  able  to  judge  the  exact  amount  of 
coal  they  place  within  a car;  therefore,  to  protect  each  party 
from  unnecessary  loss  a limit  shall  be  fixed  by  each  operator 
at  each  mine  as  to  the  amount  cars  should  contain,  and  all 
coal  placed  in  a car  in  excess  of  this  limit  shall  go  to  the 
company,  except  where  a miner  loads  two  or  more  cars  in  any 
one  day,  some  of  which  contains  coal  in  excess  of  the  limit 
agreed  upon  and  others  with  less  than  the  limited  amount; 
when  this  occurs,  200  pounds  of  the  excess  shall  be  given  to 
the  car  belonging  to  the  same  miner  containing  200  or  more 
pounds  less  than  the  limit  agreed  upon.  (Agreement  of  Jan- 
uary 5,  1888;  reaffirmed  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Rooms  and  Room  Turning. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  a general  demand  for  the  restora- 
tion of  the  thirty-foot  room,  and  two  tracks  in  each  room 
where  practicable.  (Agreement  of  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Two  men,  two  rooms — Resolved,  That  the  custom  hereto- 
fore existing,  of  giving  each  twm  men  two  rooms,  be  con- 
tinued as  far  as  practicable.  (Agreement  of  May  14,  1891.) 

Run  of  Mine  Coal. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  mining  pick  mined  run  of 
mine  coal  shall  be  five-sevenths  (5-7)  of  the  price  of  mining 
screened  lump  coal;  it  being  understood  and  agreed  that  the 
operator  shall  have  the  option  of  either  paying  for  run  of  mine 
coal  at  the  rate  of  5-7  of  the  price  paid  for  mining  screened 
lump  coal,  or  weighing  out  the  lump  and  settling  for  it  at 
the  then  prevailing  rate  for  mining  screened  lump  coal. 
(Agreement  June  19,  20,  1888.) 

Sharpening. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  tool  sharpening  shall  be  at  the 
rate  of  one  cent  on  the  dollar.  (Agreement  June  19,  20,  1888.) 

In  March,  1893,  the  following  appears  in  a lengthy  article 
written  by  John  McBride,  President  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  on  its  membership: 


Ohio  Membership  and  Taxes  Paid 


245 


When  considered  from  a collective  standpoint,  we  are  will- 
ing to  admit  that  the  Ohio  miners  pay  a greater  aggregate 
sum  to  the  national  union  than  is  derived  from  those  in  other 
states,  but  as  the  burden  of  taxation  is  and  should  be  measured 
by  the  amount  each  member  in  his  individual  capacity  pays  to 
maintain  the  national  union,  we  must  insist  that  Ohio  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Mine  Workers  pay  less  than  do  members 
in  any  other  state  or  district  to  sustain  the  union.  In  Ohio, 
members  pay  a 15-cent  monthly  tax  to  the  district  and  national 
union,  while  in  other  districts,  outside  of  Ohio,  this  tax  is  20 
and  25  cents  per  month,  and  those  who  pay  it  are  as  loyal  and 
true  as  are  the  Ohio  miners. 

The  increase  in  Ohio  membership  during  the  past  year 
should  be  a source  of  pleasure  in  itself  to  those  who  now  find 
fault.  There  are  not,  as  asserted  by  “An  Old  Unionist,” 
14,000  members  in  Ohio  paying  to  the  national  union,  and 
there  never  were  that  many.  The  Ohio  members  for  January, 
1892,  numbered  9,645,  and  for  January,  1893,  11,932,  an  in- 
crease during  the  year  of  2,287. 

The  paid-up  membership  in  the  national  union  in  Jan- 
uary, 1892,  was  13,955,  which  only  left  4,310  members  out- 
side of  Ohio. 

The  national  membership  in  January,  1893,  was  20,187,  an 
increase  during  the  year  of  6,232 ; by  deducting  the  Ohio  mem- 
bership from  the  national  membership  in  January  last  there 
are  8,255  members  .outside  of  Ohio.  This  increase  is  not  what 
it  should  be,  but  it  is  too  substantial  both  in  the  state  and  else- 
where to  be  sneered  at.  It  should  also  be  borne  in  mind  that 
in  1890  and  1891  the  national  organization  tax  paid  by  Ohio 
miners  was  $2.40  per  member,  whereas  during  the  past  year 
only  $1.20  was  paid.  This  was  not  increasing  the  taxation, 
was  it? 

In  March,  1893,  Sub-District  1 of  District  6,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  held  a convention  at  New  Straitsville, 
Ohio. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  President  Charles  Call 
and  a committee  on  credentials  appointed  that  reported  the 
following  delegates  entitled  to  seats  in  the  convention : 
Thomas  Taylor,  mine  5,  New  Straitsville;  Patrick  Calahan, 
Blacks;  Foster  Hart,  Murray  City  mine;  W.  J.  Ryan,  E.  and 
M.  mine.  Sand  Run;  Thomas  Reed,  Buckeye  mine,  Nelsonville; 
Ed  Call,  mine  3,  Straitsville;  Charles  Walker,  Hamley  Run 
mine;  Samuel  Foreman,  C.  L.  Poston’s  mine,  Nelsonville;  F. 
Weighmiller,  Raybould  Brothers,  Nelsonville;  David  Potter, 


246 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sowers  mine,  Sand  Run;  George  Thompson,  Shawnee  Valley 
mine,  Shawnee;  Michael  Welsh,  mine  11,  Straitsville ; Levi 
Nutter,  Brashears  mine;  J.  W.  Grimstead,  Job’s  mine,  Brush 
Fork;  Roger  Lloyd,  mine  3,  day  hands,  Straitsville;  Thomas 
Padden,  Lost  Run  mine,  Straitsville;  Edmund  Thomas, 
Longstreth  mine;  William  Richards,  Whip-poor-will  mine, 
Shawnee;  Thomas  Meikle,  XX  mine,  day  hands,  Shawnee; 
Ebenezer  Jones,  XX  mine,  Shawnee;  J.  W.  Vaughn,  Upson’s 
mine,  Shawnee;  W.  T.  Evans,  Job’s  mine.  Brush  Fork. 

The  above  delegates  represented  3,300  men. 

The  president  appointed  the  following  committees:  On 

resolutions — F.  Weighmiller,  Edward  Call,  James  Grimstead, 
J.  J.  Eddy  and  Ed.  Thomas ; On  constitution — George  Thomp- 
son, Thomas  Padden  and  Levi  Nutter;  Auditing  committee — 
Michael  Welsh,  J.  Vaughn  and  W.  J.  Ryan. 

Coal  operators  were  present  in  the  interest  of  a more  equal 
distribution  of  railroad  cars  at  the  mines,  and  a resolution 
jointly  agreed  to  was  presented  to  the  railroad  companies  ask- 
ing their  aid  for  a fair  division  of  cars  at  all  the  mines  in  the 
Hocking  district.  It  was  also  jointly  agreed  to  elect  what  was 
termed  a turnkeeper  whose  duties  were  to  watch  for  the 
number  of  cars  loaded  and  advise  the  railroad  companies  each 
day  what  mines  were  entitled  to  receive  cars  the  following  day. 

The  resolution  adopted  was  signed.  Operators,  C.  F.  Myers, 
Miners,  Ed.  Call. 

Officers  elected  follow:  President,  Charles  Call;  Vice- 

President,  J.  J.  Eddy ; Secretary-Treasurer,  J.  S.  Wilson.  Ex- 
ecutive board:  W.  H.  Crawford,  Foster  Hart,  John  Harvey. 

It  was  resolved  to  submit  the  question  of  initiation  fee  to 
the  state  and  national  conventions,  in  order  that  said  fee  may 
be  made  uniform  throughout  the  union.  Section  3,  Article  5, 
of  the  constitution  was  amended  so  as  to  provide  that  the 
sub-district  meet  semi-annually,  said  meeting  to  be  held  the 
day  previous  to  the  convention  of  the  consolidated  sub-district, 
and  the  place  of  meeting.  New  Straitsville.  Section  5,  Article 
5,  was  amended,  requiring  the  secretary  to  notify  the  mine 
secretaries  when  their  mine  is  in  arrears,  one  month  prior  to 
the  meeting  of  the  sub-district.  The  auditing  committee  then 
made  the  following  report : 


Fourth  National  Convention 


247 


Balance  on  hand  January  9,  1893,  $8.70;  total  receipts  to 
date,  $103.77;  total  $112.47;  total  disbursements,  $14.46;  bal- 
ance on  hand,  $98.01. 

The  committee  found  that  the  books  had  been  properly 
kept,  and  after  the  report  was  adopted,  and  the  constitution 
ordered  printed,  the  convention  adjourned,  sine  die. 

Chas.  Call,  President, 

J.  S.  Wilson,  Secy.-Treas. 

FOURTH  NATIONAL  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF 
UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  11,  1893. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  10  a.  m..  President 
John  McBride  in  the  chair.  William  M.  Anderson  and  W.  C. 
Pearce  were  appointed  assistant  secretaries. 

List  of  Committees. 

Rules  and  Order  of  Business — M.  McQuade,  Pennsylvania ; 
Jerry  Meade,  West  Virginia;  B.  Anderson,  Kentucky;  James 
Parsons,  Indiana;  F.  M.  Tollett,  Ohio. 

Resolutions — P.  H.  Penna,  Indiana;  Alex.  Johnson,  Ohio; 
W.  J,  Guyman,  Illinois;  W.  S.  Scott,  Iowa;  J.  W.  Harrison, 
Pennsylvania. 

Constitution — John  Nugent,  Ohio;  W.  D.  Vanhorn,  In- 
diana; Thomas  Farry,  West  Virginia;  W.  C.  Webb,  Ken- 
tucky; Samuel  Chambers,  Colorado. 

Grievances — William  Howells,  Colorado;  T.  A.  Bradley, 
Pennsylvania;  A.  A.  Adams,  Ohio;  M.  Comiesky,  Indiana; 
J.  A.  Crawford,  Illinois. 

Distribution — James  White,  Pennsylvania;  M.  Gulliver, 
Ohio;  M.  Jackson,  Ohio;  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Indiana;  J.  B. 
Brace,  Kentucky. 

William  Howells,  W.  C.  Webb  and  W.  J.  Guyman,  commit- 
tee on  credentials,  made  their  report.  As  some  corrections 
were  necessary,  convention  adjourned  until  1:30  p.  m.,  to 
allow  committee  time  to  report. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order.  President  McBride  in  the 
chair. 


248 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


List  of  Delegates. 

Pennsylvania — J.  D.  Davis,  J.  W.  Harrison,  T.  A.  Brad- 
ley, Edward  Sweeney,  Geo.  Johnson,  Jas.  White,  E.  R.  Davis, 
John  Costello,  P.  McBryde,  W.  A.  Rump,  C.  P.  Byrne,  M.  Mc- 
Quade,  A.  L.  Davis. 

Ohio — T.  McGough,  T.  L.  Lewis,  A.  A.  Adams,  M.  Ratch- 
ford,  C.  Miller,  M.  Jackson,  H.  L.  Rock,  J.  Swinder,  J.  0.  Dol- 
man, N.  A.  Tenley,  E.  Call,  T.  Taylor,  J.  O’Donnell,  Levi  Shan- 
non, J.  Gray,  J.  Thomas,  Val  Tison,  Charles  Call,  Ransom 
Baxter,  Ed  Elswick,  J.  Fisher,  H.  Mendenhall,  Enoch  Riley, 
Thos.  Comber,  E.  N.  Smith,  Jas.  McKee,  John  Fahy,  Thos. 
Miller,  Alex  Johnson,  S.  Glasgow,  J.  McLaughlan,  I.  E.  Wil- 
liams, P.  P.  Andrews,  W.  Brady,  C.  P.  Ray,  J.  Costlett,  Ed 
Thomas,  H.  Deems,  F.  M.  Toilet,  T.  F.  Moriarity,  W.  W.  Ed- 
wards, W.  Applegarth,  J.  F.  Banks,  John  Terrel,  J.  L.  Holland, 
M.  Lyons,  H.  J.  Bond,  W.  Richards,  E.  Jones,  Adam  McLean, 
L.  M.  Kenzie,  F.  Welsh,  W.  Attwood,  R.  F.  Warren,  C. 
W.  Walker,  Thos.  Cole,  Aug.  Brencamp,  John  Har- 
nick,  F.  Weymueller,  F.  J.  Mink,  Foster  Hart,  Sam  Martin, 
Geo.  Wend,  S.  H.  Hannah,  Isaac  Jones,  W.  Brown,  A.  F. 
Spittler,  A.  Henry,  Thos.  Hardy,  John  Nugent,  M.  Grogan, 
Wm.  Jenkins,  W.  C.  Pearce,  A.  Winning,  R.  L.  Davis,  Jos. 
Green,  Eli  Thorp,  C.  A.  Robbins,  John  P.  Jones,  D.  Robertson, 
A.  Ruff,  D.  S.  Roy,  W.  F.  Fowler,  PI.  Lewis,  W.  Gregory,  W. 
Dumeree,  F.  Kessner,  Neil  Elliot,  J.  L.  Henley,  J.  Haynes,  Jas. 
Collins,  M.  Gulliver,  T.  McGuire,  Q.  Levering,  S.  A.  Wangler, 
J.  C.  Duncan,  W.  H.  Weckline,  A.  Mahan,  H.  Shires,  S.  Shry, 
Lewis  Harmon,  F.  Collard. 

Indiana — M.  Comesky,  L.  Cushman,  J.  McGuire,  W.  D. 
Vanhorn,  D.  Llewellen,  D.  Adams,  R.  Monkhouse,  E.  Merrel, 
J.  H.  Kennedy,  J.  E.  Buck,  J.  Pearsons,  J.  Harrison. 

Illinois — J.  A.  Crawford,  W.  J.  Guyman. 

Iowa — W.  S.  Scott, 

Kansas  and  Missouri — P.  H.  Penna. 

Colorado — S.  Chambers,  Wm.  Howells. 

West  Virginia — Jerry  Meade,  Wm.  Sorg,  Basil  Scott, 
Thos.  Farry,  W.  L.  Anderson. 

Tennessee  and  Kentucky — W.  C.  Webb,  Burl  Anderson, 
J.  B.  Brace, 

Pomeroy — George  Smith. 

We  have  credentials  of  H.  B.  Jones,  Local  Assembly  355, 
Brashears,  Ohio,  asking  for  a voice  and  not  a vote  in  conven- 
tion. We  recommend  that  he  has  a voice  but  not  a vote,  as 
said  Local  Assembly  355  has  a delegate  present. 

Report  of  committee  on  credentials  adopted. 


Fourth  National  Convention 


249 


The  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  reported 
that  the  hour  to  convene  each  day  should  be  8 a.  m.,  recess  at 
12  noon  until  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  adjourn  at  5 o’clock  p.  m.  That 
Cushing’s  Manual  of  procedure  should  govern  the  proceed- 
ings ; that  committees  appointed  on  officers’  reports,  auditing, 
grievances,  resolutions  and  constitution,  make  their  reports  in 
the  order  named,  which  was  adopted. 

President  John  McBride  not  being  ready  to  make  his 
report,  Patrick  McBryde,  secretary,  reported  as  follows : 

SECRETARY-TREASURER  M’BRYDE’S  REPORT. 

The  drafting  of  annual  reports  is  always  attended  with 
feelings  of  pleasure  or  the  reverse.  Last  year  my  report  con- 
tained nothing  of  which  a labor  organization  could  feel  elated. 
Disastrous  strikes,  reduced  prestige,  and  a small  treasury  was 
all  the  legacy  we  could  lay  claim  to. 

The  reverses  of  the  year  did  not  dismay  the  delegates, 
knowing  well  a labor  organization  dare  not  move  backward. 
Fully  alive  to  the  interest  of  the  men  they  represented,  they 
refused  to  engage  in  wage  conflicts  which  would  bring  defeat 
and  disaster  upon  the  miners,  but  rather  sought  to  regain 
what  they  had  lost,  by  a year  of  missionary  work  in  those 
states  with  which  they  were  more  closely  identifled,  and 
holding  out  a welcoming  hand  to  every  miner  in  this  broad 
land  of  ours.  To  strengthen  our  organization  and  enable  the 
miners  to  adopt  a protective  and  aggressive  policy,  the  na- 
tional officials  have  bent  their  every  energy  during  the  past 
year.  While  the  results  are  not  in  accord  with  the  amount 
of  work  performed,  they  are  of  too  substantial  a character  to 
be  ignored. 

The  greatest  obstacles  to  progress  were  found  in  these 
places  that  required  the  organization  most,  and  where  we 
were  most  solicitous  that  it  should  be  established,  namely: 
Western  Pennsylvania,  Illinois,  West  Virginia  and  the  block 
coal  field  in  Indiana.  It  is  noteworthy  that  the  miners  of  Illi- 
nois, Indiana  and  Western  Pennsylvania  suffered  through  the 
loss  of  strikes  during  the  year  1891,  and  it  would  seem  from 
their  present  apathy  as  if  they  had  not  sufficiently  recovered 
from  the  defeat  for  reaction  to  set  in,  and  for  organization 
to  assume  its  old-time  proportions  in  those  fields.  During 
the  early  part  of  the  year  much  progress  was  made  in  West 
Virginia,  and  it  looked  as  if  that  state  was  destined  to  become 
an  important  factor  in  our  counsels.  The  coal  operators  wit- 
nessed the  success  of  our  efforts  with  alarm.  By  a well-defined 
plan  of  coercion  and  petty  tyranny  they  succeeded  in  driving 


250 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  miners  of  the  Fairmont  district  into  a strike,  for  which 
they,  the  miners,  were  ill  prepared.  President  McBride,  recog- 
nizing the  hopelessness  of  the  struggle,  and  sought  to  avert  it, 
but  in  vain.  The  result  was  a loss  of  over  1,000  members, 
comprising  the  several  branches  of  that  region,  which  had 
cost  the  time  and  money  of  the  organization  to  build  up.  This 
was  the  greatest  loss  we  sustained  during  the  present  year, 
and  as  this  district  is  rapidly  becoming  an  important  factor 
in  the  coal  markets  of  the  country,  and  a powerful  competitor 
of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  we  can  not,  if  we  would  protect 
the  members  of  our  organization,  allow  it  to  be  run  by  non- 
unionists. 

Our  Membership. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  at  any  time  the  exact  number  of  mem- 
bers in  our  organization,  the  uncertainty  of  work  in  the  coal 
mines  rendering  it  impossible  for  men  to  pay  their  dues  reg- 
ularly. Local  strikes  and  opposition  from  employers  will 
often  cause  a local  to  almost  disappear,  yet  in  a few  months 
the  organization  assumes  greater  proportions  than  before.  It 
would  be  very  unfair  to  class  those  men  as  being  outside  the 
pale  of  organization.  Last  year  when  we  met  in  convention 
the  actual  paying  members  were  less  than  at  any  period  since 
the  formation  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  only  13,955  mem- 
bers having  paid  tax  for  January,  1892,  and  20,000  would 
cover  all  that  could  in  any  way  claim  membership  in  the 
organization.  During  the  first  year  of  our  organization,  that 
is  from  February,  1890,  to  January  31,  1891,  our  actual  pay- 
ing membership  was  23,573,  from  that  date  until  May  1,  the 
time  set  apart  to  inaugurate  the  eight-hour  day,  our  member- 
ship increased  to  26,665.  It  is  well  known  that  many  miners 
who  had  heretofore  taken  very  little  interest  in  organization 
were  attracted  by  that  part  of  our  constitution  which  guar- 
anteed $3.50  per  week  to  men  on  strike.  This  is  made  ap- 
parent by  a comparison  of  the  membership  from  May  1,  1891, 
to  January  31,  1892,  when  we  had  only  an  average  of  14,595, 
reaching,  as  I have  said,  our  lowest  membership  in  the  month 
previous  to  our  last  convention.  Our  membership  since  that 
date  has  gradually  increased  until  last  month  our  paid  up 
membership  reached  24,023  members,  which  is  450  members 
more  than  our  average  for  the  first  year,  and  11,068  more 
than  paid  on  the  month  previous  to  our  convention  last  year. 

During  the  year  three  new  districts  have  been  formed: 
Southwestern  Kentucky,  Kansas  and  Colorado ; 127  local 
unions  and  assemblies  organized  that  remained  in  the  union. 
Locals  were  also  formed  at  Braidwood,  Braceville,  Coal  City. 
Spring  Valley,  Ladd,  Streator,  Farmington  and  other  im- 


Fourth  National  Convention 


251 


portant  points  in  Illinois,  which  for  some  reason  lingered  but 
a few  days  and  died. 

The  foregoing  taken  from  the  books  of  the  organization 
speaks  of  the  efforts  put  forth  by  those  intrusted  to  do  the 
field  work  of  the  union. 

Complaints  have  been  made  that  men  who  were  intrusted 
with  the  funds  of  the  local  absconded,  and  others,  that  secre- 
taries paid  the  national  for  less  members  than  were  on  the 
books  of  the  local.  I recommend  that  locals  insist  on  the  pro- 
duction of  the  receipts  from  the  national  and  district  offices 
once  a month,  and  that  said  receipts  be  compared  with  the 
quarterly  balance  sheet  printed  by  the  national  secretary.  In 
this  manner  a complete  check  will  be  kept  on  local  and  na- 
tional secretaries  which  will  tend  to  promote  more  confidence 
than  exists  at  the  present  time. 

The  following  is  an  abstract  statement  of  the  income  and 
expenditures.  In  it  is  included  the  Journal  account.  I will 
supply  a supplementary  report  on  the  income  and  expendi- 
ture of  the  Journal,  when  our  official  organ  comes  up  for  dis- 


cussion : 

Income. 

Cash  on  hand  February  1,  1892 $ 6,595.40 

Tax  27,141.50 

Supplies  1,040.71 

Newspaper  4,623.07 

Aid 2,026.63 

American  Federation  of  Labor  for  Coal 

Creek 500.00 

841,927.31 

Expenditures. 

Salary  and  expenses $22,112.65 

Aid 3,149.71 

Supplies  999.70 

Office  expense 939.43 

Postage,  expressage,  etc 895.89 

Paper 1,465.37 

Commission  438.03 

Folding  and  press  work 450.74 

Type  222.25 

American  Federation  of  Labor  tax 417.89 

Knights  of  Labor,  special  tax 397.18 

Story,  “Loved  by  a Lord” 10.25 

Defense  of  M.  F.  Moran 60.00 

—$31,559.09 


Cash  on  hand  April  1,  1893 $10,368.22 


252 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  Clinton  National  Bank, 
Columbus,  Ohio,  April  7,  1893. 

Patrick  McBryde,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  Colum- 
bus, Ohio. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  7th  inst.  received.  In  reply 
I have  to  advise  you  that  at  the  close  of  business  the  31st  of 
March,  1893,  the  books  of  this  bank  showed  balances  standing 
to  the  credit  of  Patrick  McBryde  and  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America,  in  all,  $10,368.22. 

Very  truly  yours, 

F.  W.  Prentiss,  Cashier. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

P.  McBryde,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

On  motion  the  report  was  adopted. 

After  a brief  recess  the  convention  was  called  to  order 
again  and  the  president  made  his  report. 

PRESIDENT  M’BRIDE’S  ADDRESS. 

Representatives  of  the  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

Gentlemen — You  have  assembled  in  this,  your  fourth  an- 
nual convention,  to  review  the  encouraging  and  discouraging 
features  of  the  work  of  our  organization  during  the  past  year, 
and  to  map  out  a policy  for  future  efforts  to  ameliorate  the 
conditions  which  oppress  yourselves  and  your  constituents 
while  toiling  in  the  mines  for  the  means  to  allow  yourselves 
and  your  families  to  live  in  decency  if  not  in  comfort. 

The  magnitude  of  the  coal  industry,  and  the  vast  army 
of  mine  workers  makes  it  very  difficult  for  the  small  organized 
force  we  possess  to  achieve  the  success  our  cause  merits.  Yet, 
a limited  success  has  been  gained  in  face  of  obstacles  en- 
countered in  our  work,  both  from  the  mistakes  made  by  the 
unorganized  members  of  our  craft  and  the  opposition  officered 
by  mine  operators,  who  have  failed  to  appreciate  the  spirit 
of  our  movement  and  look  upon  it  as  one  intended  to  injure 
them  rather  than  one  calculated,  as  it  is,  to  lift  the  coal  trade 
to  a higher  plane  and  free  it  from  those  evil  influences  which 
prevent  operators  from  making  fair  profits  upon  legitimately 
invested  capital  and  rob  mine  workers  of  those  enjoyments 
which  wages,  commensurate  with  their  labor,  should  afford. 
The  future  appears  bright  and  full  of  promise,  and  if  the 
mine  workers  of  the  country  will  be  true  to  themselves,  and 
give  to  their  organization  that  support  that  their  interests  de- 
mand or  require,  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  a speedy  better- 
ment of  conditions  and  wages. 

As  your  executive,  I here  call  your  attention  to  such  mat- 
ters as,  in  my  judgment,  demand  attention  and  action  in  this 


President  McBride’s  Address 


253 


convention  and  leave  it  to  your  deliberate  judgment  to  make 
such  disposition  of  them  as  you  deem  best  for  the  interest  of 
our  craft. 

Annual  Contracts. 

Immediately  after  adjournment  of  the  National  convention 
last  year  I entered  into  correspondence  with  operators  of  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Illinois  and  western  Pennsylvania,  relative  to  the 
holding  of  joint  conventions  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing  upon 
rates  to  be  paid  for  mining  during  the  year.  I did  not  succeed 
in  getting  a joint  meeting  of  miners  and  operators  of  the 
competitive  fields,  but  separate  conventions  were  held  and 
agreements  made  in  Pittsburg,  Pa. ; Ohio  and  Indiana  dis- 
tricts and  a partial  settlement  made  in  Jellico,  Tenn.,  and 
Pittsburg,  Ky.,  fields.  In  Ohio  there  was  but  little  trouble  in 
effecting  a settlement,  but  in  the  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  the  In- 
diana bituminous  field  the  indifference  of  the  miners  and  the 
lack  of  organization  together,  came  very  near  bringing  on  a 
reduction,  and  I very  much  fear  that  unless  more  interest  is 
manifested  and  greater  effort  made  on  the  part  of  Pittsburg 
and  Illinois  district  miners  to  perfect  organization  it  will  be 
impossible  to  maintain  a rate  for  mining  in  keeping  with 
market  conditions.  Joint  conferences  with  employers  can  only 
succeed  in  establishing  and  maintaining  equitable  conditions 
and  proper  prices  when  they  have  behind  them  a thorough 
and  intelligent  organized  force,  because  only  under  such  con- 
ditions can  we  guarantee  the  fulfillment  of  obligations  entered 
into.  I trust  this  convention  will  do  nothing  to  discourage 
this  peaceable  method  of  adjusting  disputes  between  mine 
operators  and  operatives  and  that  our  members  will  keep  in 
mind  the  fact  that  when  contracts  are  once  made  their  honor 
is  pledged  to  the  carrying  out  of  their  stipulations  ; when  an 
organization  reaches  the  point  where  honor  is  lost  sight  of  the 
organization  should  cease  to  have  an  existence. 

Strikes. 

The  past  year  was  a notable  one  for  the  absence  of  great 
strikes,  and  yet  the  strikes  in  the  Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  and 
Coal  Creek,  Tenn.,  fields  can  not  be  passed  by  without  com- 
ment. In  the  Fairmont  field  the  miners  very  foolishly  made 
demands  upon  operators  that  were  not  justified  by  market 
prices  on  relative  mining  rates  in  the  other  sections  of  the 
competitive  field,  and  although  these  demands  were  practically 
withdrawn  the  ire  of  the  operators  had  been  aroused,  and 
they  went  to  the  other  extreme  of  declaring  the  organization 
an  enemy  and  commenced  a relentless  warfare  upon  the  or- 
ganization by  discharging  local  leaders  in  such  numbers  that 
the  miners,  against  their  will,  were  forced  to  declare  a strike 


254 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


at  a time  when  they  were  not  prepared  to  continue  it  to  a 
successful  termination.  The  miners,  although  lacking  dis- 
cipline and  experience,  made  a good  fight,  but  were  defeated 
and  the  organization  suffered  a severe  set-back,  and  some  time 
must  elapse  ere  the  miners  can  again  unite  their  forces  proper- 
ly, or  demonstrate  to  their  employers  that  the  organization  is 
intended  to  wage  war  upon  conditions  that  hamper  the  coal 
trade  and  injure  employers  and  employes  alike,  rather  than 
to  gratify  a spirit  of  revenge  by  seeking  to  punish  operators 
of  mines  for  real  or  imaginary  wrongs  inflicted  upon  mine 
workers  in  the  past. 

The  strike  in  Tennessee  was  inaugurated  for  the  abolition 
of  the  convict  lease  system  by  which  convicts  are  sold  to  coal 
operators,  and  put  to  work  in  the  mines  in  direct  competi- 
tion with  free  labor.  I do  not  wonder  that  the  free  mine 
workers  revolted  against  this  system,  nor  was  I surprised 
that  extreme  measures  were  resorted  to  for  the  purpose  of 
winning.  Convict  labor  in  all  states  is  a curse  to  free  labor, 
but  in  nearly  all  states  the  labor  of  convicts  is  so  distributed 
that  its  evil  effects  fall  alike  upon  all  trades,  while  in  Tennes- 
see and  Alabama  convicts  are  nearly  all  employed  in  mining 
coal,  and  the  number  of  convicts  is  so  large  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  for  free  miners  to  maintain  rights,  privileges  or 
prices  to  any  degree  above  those  accorded  to  convict  miners, 
and  by  reason  of  this  the  free  miners  in  those  two  states  feel 
humiliated  and  degraded  because  they  recognize  that  they 
are  suffering  from  conditions,  the  baneful  effects  of  which, 
instead  of  being  confined  to  the  two  states  named,  are  slowly 
but  surely,  inflicting  injury  upon  miners  in  other  fields  where 
convicts  are  not  employed. 

The  bitterness  of  this  struggle  for  fair  treatment  on  the 
part  of  the  free  miners  of  Tennessee  led  to  a conflict  between 
them  and  the  state  military,  and  in  consequence  of  this  a 
number  of  miners  were  arrested  and  are  being  prosecuted  for 
a violation  of  a law,  the  provisions  of  which  are  so  manifestly 
unjust  to  the  free  miners  that,  in  my  judgment,  they  were 
justified  in  doing  what  they  did. 

The  American  Federation  of  Labor,  at  its  last  session, 
donated  $500  to  help  defend  the  miners  arrested  and,  who  are 
about  to  be  tried  for  alleged  violation  of  an  infamous  law; 
and,  although  but  few  of  the  miners  engaged  in  that  strike 
were  or  are  members  of  our  organization,  I recommend  and 
earnestly  urge  upon  this  convention  that  a good  sum  of  money 
be  appropriated  from  our  treasury  to  defend  the  men  who 
have  been  arrested  and  thus  give  encouragement  to  still 
further  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  miners  of  Tennessee  and 
Alabama  until  a death  blow  has  been  struck  at  the  damnable 
system  of  employing  convicts  in  mines. 


President  McBride’s  Address 


255 


Advanced  Mining  Bate. 

Your  national  executive  board  has  advised  that  you  de- 
mand an  advance  in  the  price  paid  for  mining.  Before  mak- 
ing such  a demand,  however,  you  should  consider  two  import- 
ant points  bearing  upon  this  question;  first,  how  much  of  an 
advance  is  due  to  you  by  reason  of  improved  market  prices, 
and,  second,  how  much  are  you  able  to  obtain  should  your 
demand  be  refused  and  an  organized  co-operative  effort  be 
required  on  your  part  to  enforce  the  demand  made. 

Measured  by  increased  production'  and  sale  of  coal  the  past 
year  has  been  a prosperous  one  for  the  coal  trade  and  the 
increased  price  at  which  coal  was  sold  in  all  parts  of  the 
country  without  a corresponding  increase  in  mining  rates, 
indicates  that  the  year  was  a profitable  one  to  mine  operators. 
The  production  of  coal  in  1892  compared  with  that  of  1891, 
in  the  United  States  and  territories,  shows  an  increase  of 
3.4  per  cent.  Sixteen  states  show  the  following  per  cent  of 
increase  in  their  production : Alabama,  16.6 ; Arkansas,  12.5 ; 
Colorado,  5;  Georgia,  11.1;  Illinois,  7.7 ; Indiana,  4.8;  Kansas, 
2;  Kentucky,  4.2;  Michigan,  11;  Missouri,  1.5;  Montana,  28; 
Ohio,  9.7 ; Pennsylvania  bituminous,  4.1,  anthracite,  3.5 ; 
Texas,  12.5;  Virginia,  14.3;  West  Virginia,  4.6.  Seven  states 
show  a per  cent  of  decrease  as  follows : Iowa,  6.2 ; Maryland, 
10.9 ; Oregon,  33 ; Tennessee,  9 ; Utah,  5.1 ; Washington,  33 ; 
Wyoming,  11.1 ; New  Mexico,  Dakota,  California  and  the  In- 
dian territory  has  the  same  tonnage  in  both  years.  The  Chi- 
cago market,  which  is  generally  used  as  a criterion  to  measure 
the  prosperity  of  the  lake  and  northwestern  trade,  shows  a per 
cent  of  increase  and  decrease  in  tonnage  as  follows  from  the 
mining  fields  comprising  the  competitive  district : Pittsburg, 
increase  13.5;  Hocking,  Ohio  Central  and  Shawnee,  26;  Jack- 
son  county,  increase  33;  Ohio  miscellaneous,  increase  nearly 
58;  West  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  increase  22.2;  northern  Illi- 
nois, increase  8.8 ; southern  Illinois,  decrease  10.5 ; central  Illi- 
nois, increase  47.8 ; eastern  Illinois,  decrease  6 ; Indiana  block, 
increase  22.1 ; Indiana  miscellaneous,  increase  12.9. 

In  the  open  markets  of  the  country  the  price  of  coal  ad- 
vanced all  the  way  from  25  cents  to  $1  per  ton,  but  you  must 
bear  in  mind  that  but  a small  per  cent  of  coal  sales  are  made 
upon  open  market  prices.  The  great  bulk  of  coal  is  placed  at 
contract  prices,  and  the  contracts,  which  are  made  annually, 
are  usually  made  to  the  lowest  bidder  among  a large  number 
of  competitors.  Upon  coal,  sold  under  annual  contracts  made 
in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1892,  the  operators  of  mines 
realized  no  benefit  from  the  increased  price  quoted  in  open 
market,  hence  the  profits  realized  upon  the  coal  sold  at  big 
prices  in  the  open  markets  when  distributed  upon  the  entire 


256 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


tonnage  reduces  the  profit  of  operators  to  a much  smaller 
margin  than  the  casual  observer  would  be  willing  to  concede. 
I call  your  attention  to  this  fact  so  that  you  may  be  conserva- 
tive and  reasonable  in  your  demand  for  higher  wages — to 
which  you  are  entitled,  and  which  the  prosperity  of  the  past 
year  and  the  promising  outlook  for  the  present  year  indicate 
ought  to  be  granted  you  without  a rupture  between  you  and 
your  employers. 

The  Official  Organ. 

The  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal  is  your  property,  was 
established  by  your  votes  and  is  printed  at  your  expense, 
hence  you  are  interested  in  its  success  or  failure.  It  should 
also  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal 
was  established  before  the  present  officers  were  elected  to  the 
positions  they  fill,  and  for  this,  if  no  other  reason,  the  charge 
made  from  several  quarters  during  the  past  year  that  the 
United  Mine  Workers’  Joiirnal  was  nothing  more  nor  less 
than  the  mouthpiece  of  the  officers  was  as  unjust  as  it  is 
untrue.  The  paper  belongs  to  you  and  you  should  either 
provide  for  an  extension  of  its  usefulness  or  abolish  it 
altogether. 

Car  Fare  of  Delegates. 

In  a circular  issued  to  the  locals  by  the  national  executive 
board,  they  recommend  the  payment  of  car  fare  to  delegates 
attending  the  national  convention.  Our  annual  meetings  have 
been  held  in  this  city,  where  our  headquarters  are  established, 
and  where  we  have  facilities  for  examination  of  books  and 
documents,  and  the  printing  of  the  minutes  of  our  sessions, 
which  we  could  not  secure  elsewhere.  While  we  believe  we 
should  hold  our  meetings  in  this  city  we  ought  to  make  such 
arrangements  as  will  enable  members  at  a distance  to  be 
fairly  represented  in  our  conventions,  and  this  can  only  be 
done  by  the  payment  of  car  fare  for  delegates  and  thus  equal- 
ize the  cost  per  capita  to  delegates  from  all  sections  of  the 
country. 

Reports  from  Locals. 

The  general  assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  at  its  last 
session,  so  changed  the  constitution  as  to  provide  for  the 
issuing  of  local  pass  words  every  three  months  and  to  make 
sure  of  each  local  assembly  being  furnished  with  the  pass 
word,  the  law  on  quarterly  reports  to  the  general  assembly 
and  National  Trades  Assembly  must  be  complied  with.  If 
this  be  done  it  will  prevent  much  of  the  confusion  occasioned 
during  the  past  year,  by  local  secretaries  neglecting  to  make 
this  report,  and  in  consequence  of  this  neglect  members  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor  whose  per  capita  tax  was  paid  through  mine 


President  McBride’s  Address 


257 


organizations  were  not  properly  credited.  Where  members 
of  local  unions  and  local  assemblies  join  in  sending  tax  to  the 
national  office  the  secretary  of  the  mine  organization  should  • 
properly  credit  and  report  the  number  of  each  branch  for 
which  payment  is  made.  If  this  be  done  it  will  prove  more 
satisfactory  than  is  the  present  slip-shod  method. 

Obstacles  Met. 

It  is  with  deep  concern,  and  the  most  profound  regret, 
that  I have  noticed  during  the  past  year  the  danger  which  ; 
threatens  our  organization  from  the  growing  tendency  to 
divide  mine  workers  on  the  question  of  nationality  and  re- 
ligion, and  I feel  that  it  is  time  for  those  who  are  interested 
in  the  miners’  welfare  to  speak  in  denunciation  of  the  same 
in  unmistakable  terms. 

In  districts,  east  and  west,  the  internecine  strife  occasioned 
by  religion  and  nationality  has  not  only  prevented  your  officers 
from  effecting  local  organizations,  but  in  many  instances  has 
disrupted  those  already  established.  Coal  operators  and  their 
agents,  opposed  to  organization  among  their  employes,  have 
not  been  slow  to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  thus 
afforded  them  to  create  animosities  between  employes  and  to 
impose  upon  them  oppressive  conditions,  which,  under  other 
circumstances,  would  not  be  tolerated.  The  danger  from  this 
source  is  more  pronounced  in  Illinois  and  Pennsylvania  than 
in  other  states,  but  even  Ohio,  with  its  more  perfect  organ- 
ization, is  not  free  from  its  withering  blast.  Men  who 
originate  and  circulate  stories  that  stir  up  national  prejudices 
and  create  religious  fanaticism  presume  upon  the  mine 
workers’  ignorance,  and  their  appeal  to  passion  and  prejudice 
is  prompted  by  impure  motives  and  with  a desire  to  injure 
rather  than  help  labor.  The  fact  that  such  sentiments  are  at 
all  prevalent  is  a matter  of  regret,  and  I sincerely  advise  our 
miners  to  treat  such  sentiments,  and  the  men  who  promulgate 
them,  with  the  contempt  they  so  justly  merit.  You  cannot 
afford  to  harbor  or  countenance  such  a spirit  of  bigotry  and 
intolerance,  and  if  you  do,  you  alone  must  suffer  its  baleful 
consequences. 

The  president’s  report  continues  at  great  length  on  state- 
ments published  through  the  daily  press  that  Grand  Master 
Workman,  T.  V.  Powderly,  had  in  his  annual  address  to  the 
general  assembly,  charged  the  officials  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  with  a violation  of  their  obligations  to  the  order  of 
Knights  of  Labor  and  recommended  that  the  alliance  between 
the  two  organizations  be  dissolved. 


258 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


On  this  issue  the  report  covers  pages  of  correspondence 
between  President  or  Master  Workman  John  McBride  and 
General  Master  Workman  T.  V.  Powderly  of  the  Knights  of 
Labor  in  which  attributes  of  the  endearing  kind  were  con- 
spicuously absent  for  a period  commencing  January  11,  1893, 
and  ending  with  a message  dated  April  7,  1893. 

The  following  closing  sentiments  expressed  however  in  the 
president’s  address  are  fitting  reminders  of  a spirit  full  of 
love  for  the  cause  he  so  consistently  advocated. 

The  final  settlement  of  this  question  is  a satisfactory  one 
to  the  National  Trades  Assembly  and  the  United  Mine 
Workers  and  I am  pleased  that  it  has  had  this  ending  and  trust 
now  that  a full  and  complete  vindication  has  been  accorded 
us,  by  the  grand  and  manly  admission  of  General  Master 
Workman  Powderly  and  the  fair  investigation  conducted  by 
Brother  Devlin,  the  work  of  organization,  which  has  been 
retarded  and  delayed,  will  be  pushed  with  renewed  vigor  and 
that  our  members  will  conduct  themselves  in  the  future  as  in 
the  past,  with  a spirit  of  fairness  toward  each  other  and  bear 
in  mind  the  fact  that  whether  members  of  a local  assembly  or 
a local  union  they  are  all  United  Mine  Workers,  with  one 
common  interest  to  conserve  and  one  common  cause  to  pro- 
mote. 

I hope  your  deliberations  will  be  conducted  in  harmony 
and  that  your  labors  will  reflect  credit  upon  yourselves  and 
bring  increased  benefits  to  your  constituents. 

John  McBride. 

On  motion,  the  president’s  report  was  made  a part  of  the 
proceedings. 

REPORT  OF  AUDITING  COMMITTEE. 

We,  the  undersigned,  have  audited  the  secretary-treas- 
urer’s accounts  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  for 
the  year  past,  and  find  them  correct. 


Income  .941,927.31 

Expenditure  31. .559. 09 

Balance  on  hand  April  1,  1893 $10,368.22 


W.  C.  Webb, 

J.  A.  Crawford, 
Thomas  Parry, 

W.  S.  Scott, 

The  report  was  adopted.  Auditors. 


Fourth  National  Convention 


259 


A series  of  resolutions  were  then  read  and  the  convention 
adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  McBride. 
After  being  read  and  corrections  made,  the  minutes  of  the 
previous  day’s  session  were  approved. 

It  was  moved  that  the  election  of  officers  be  deferred  until 
the  last  order  of  business. 

After  discussing  various  resolutions  introduced,  the  fol- 
lowing substitute  by  P.  H.  Penna  and  other  resolutions  were 
adopted : 

Whereas,  The  condition  of  the  coal  trade  is  such  as  to  war- 
rant an  advance  on  mining  rates;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  an  increase  on  present  prices 
for  mining  screened  coal  of  5 cents  per  ton  and  the  equivalent 
of  5 cents  per  ton  on  unscreened  coal  where  that  method 
obtains,  and  that  where  practicable  all  agreements  be  made 
on  unscreened  coal.  On  roll  call  the  Penna  substitute  was 
adopted  by  a vote  of  161  in  its  favor  and  48  against  it. 
Thirty-six  delegates  declined  to  vote. 

The  convention  being  in  executive  session  it  was  resolved 
to  remain  in  executive  session  in  the  afternoon  to  consider  the 
grievance  of  Brother  Ratchford,  referred  from  the  state  to 
the  national  convention. 

After  a thorough  discussion  on  the  future  publication  of 
the  Journal  the  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  follow- 
ing substitute  which  was  agreed  to : 

That  we  concur  in  the  recommendation  of  the  executive 
board,  with  reference  to  the  future  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers’  Journal,  known  as  the  Penna  resolution,  and  refer 
the  same  to  the  incoming  executive  board  to  work  out  the 
details;  provided,  that  said  board  must  make  provision  that 
only  one  paper  be  sent  to  any  one  family. 

The  following  are  the  Penna  resolutions  referred  to  pub- 
lished in  the  Journal  February  8,  1893,  together  with  an 
amendment  by  Patrick  McBryde,  published  February  23, 
1893 : 

(1)  Resolved.  That  the  National  Executive  Board,  as 
directors  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal,  be  and  are 


260 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


hereby  instructed  to  supply  each  member  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America  with  a copy  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’ 
Jourruil  each  week. 

(2)  Resolved,  That  the  per  capita  tax  to  the  national 
organization  be  increased  5 cents  per  month  per  member, 
making  15  cents  instead  of  10  cents  as  at  present,  to  enable 
said  national  executive  board  to  comply  with  resolution  No.  1. 

(3)  Resolved,  That  said  executive  board  be  further 
instructed  to  procure  the  services  of  one  Italian  interpreter 
and  typesetter,  also  one  who  can  interpret  and  set  up  in  type 
the  language  of  that  Slav  group  which  is  found  to  be  most 
used  by  the  miners,  especially  in  the  East,  so  that  the  reading 
matter  on  first  page  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal  in 
the  English  language  may  be  repeated  on  pages  2 and  3 in  the 
languages  above  named. 

I,  therefore,  offer  an  amendment  to  the  resolution  of 
Brother  Penna : 

Resolved,  That  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal  be  re- 
duced in  size  and  that  each  member  of  the  organization  be 
supplied  with  a copy  of  the  same,  and  that  articles  be  printed 
in  French,  German,  Italian  and  Slavonic  when  there  is  a 
demand  for  the  same  from  members  composing  these  national- 
ities sufficiently  numerous  to  warrant  the  expense  of  trans- 
lating and  printing. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order.  President  John  IMcBride  in  the 
chair.  After  some  preliminary  work,  Vice-President  Penna 
was  called  to  preside  and  announced  that  the  convention  was 
in  executive  session  and  that  the  Ratchford  grievance  was 
the  special  order  of  business. 

By  motion  it  was  agreed  that  the  grievance  between 
Michael  Ratchford  and  President  McBride  should  come  before 
the  convention  for  adjustment. 

The  question  was  freely  discussed  by  many  delegates 
present  after  which  the  convention  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING,  APRIL  14. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m.,  Vice-President  Penna 
in  the  chair. 


Fourth  National  Convention 


261 


A roll  call  of  the  delegates  present  was  made  and  the  fol- 
lowing telegram  was  read  to  the  convention ; 

Mr.  John  McBride,  President  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, Columbus,  Ohio: 

Though  absent,  my  best  wishes  attend  your  deliberations, 
and  may  the  results  solidify  the  miners’  ranks  in  every  state 
of  the  Union. 

Chris  Evans. 

Ex-President  John  B.  Rae  applied  for  admission,  was  ad- 
mitted, and  addressed  the  convention  in  words  that  were  well 
received  and  applauded  by  the  delegates  present. 

In  the  discussion  that  followed  it  was  decided  that  those 
directly  interested  in  the  Ratchford-McBride  case  retire. 

After  being  nominated  for  chairman,  James  O’Donnell 
declined  to  act  and  P.  H.  Penna  was  elected  as  chairman  of 
the  convention. 

In  reply  to  delegate  Miller  the  chair  ruled  that  M.  Ratch- 
ford  was  plaintiff  and  President  McBride  the  defendant  in  the 
case,  and  that  the  question  is : Has  President  McBride  done 
Brother  Ratchford  injustice  in  his  interview  in  Cincinnati 
Enquirer  of  November  3,  1892? 

Moved,  The  convention  proceed  to  a secret  ballot  as  to 
whether  Brother  Ratchford’s  charges  will  be  sustained  or  not. 

Moved,  That  the  question  of  grievance  between  Ratchford 
and  McBride  be  tabled. 

Moved,  by  C.  Call,  Inasmuch  as  we  consider  that  neither 
is  guilty  of  any  serious  charge,  we  consider  it  not  worthy  of 
our  consideration ; therefore,  I move  to  table  the  whole  matter. 
Adopted  by  a vote  of  155  to  79. 

Adjourned. 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  McBride,  who  in- 
formed the  convention  that  the  business  before  it  was  the 
Penna  resolutions,  and  that  R.  F.  Warren  had  the  floor.  Dur- 
ing the  discussion  Brother  Jones  read  the  following  telegram : 


262 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Shawnee,  Ohio. 

Ebenezer  Jones,  Care  of  W.  T.  Lewis,  State  House: 

Local  354  is  solid  against  the  Penna  resolution.  You  are 
all  requested  to  vote  against  it. 

J.  W.  Vaughan,  Vice-President. 

Substitute,  moved,  by  C.  Call,  That  the  price  of  the  Journal 
be  $1  per  year. 

Amendment  to  substitute— Resolved,  That  the  price  of 
the  Journal  be  $1  per  year,  and  the  per  capita  tax  as  before, 
and  National  Executive  Board  make  a reduction  in  the  price 
for  bundles  of  10  or  more  to  secretaries  of  local  assemblies  or 
local  unions  as  may  send  for  them  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
structing unorganized  men  and  for  the  purpose  of  education. 
(Lost.) 

The  substitute  of  Brother  Call  was  adopted. 

Grievance  committee  informed  the  convention  that  they 
had  but  one  grievance  before  them,  which  they  referred  to  the 
incoming  executive  board. 

Report  concurred  in. 

The  committee  on  constitution  reported  after  duly  con- 
sidering all  documents. 

We  recommend  the  constitution  the  same  as  at  present 
with  the  following  addition : 


Article  VI. 

Section  4.  That  no  charges  shall  be  considered  by  any 
convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  unless  such  charges 
be  preferred  in  writing  to  the  executive  board,  who  shall  hear 
and  determine,  and  report  to  the  convention  their  finding. 

John  Nugent, 

Samuel  Chambers, 

W.  C.  Webb, 

Thomas  Farry, 

W.  D.  Vanhorn. 

Moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  concurred  in. 
Adopted. 

The  chair  announced  the  next  business  to  be  the  election 
of  officers. 

Moved,  by  Sherman  Glasgow,  that  we  adjourn  until  to- 
morrow. Adopted. 


Officers  Elected  for  1893 


263 


FRIDAY  MORNING. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order,  President  John  Mc- 
Bride in  the  chair. 

Moved,  The  minutes  of  yesterday’s  session  be  dispensed 
with.  Carried. 

Moved,  The  convention  proceed  with  the  election  of  officers. 
Adopted. 

Moved,  The  record  of  all  votes  be  recorded  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers  Journal.  Adopted.  Officers  elected  follow : 

For  President  or  Master  Workman — John  McBride. 

For  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman — P.  H.  Penna  was 
unanimously  elected. 

For  Secretary-Treasurer — P.  McBryde  was  declared 
elected. 

After  voting  for  the  executive  board  the  convention  ad- 
journed until  1:30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  Vice-President 
Penna  in  the  chair. 

The  secretary  announced  the  vote  for  members  of  the 
executive  board. 

The  chair  decided  that  as  W.  C.  Webb,  William  Howells 
and  J.  A.  Crawford  had  received  a majority  of  all  votes  cast, 
they  were  duly  elected  as  members  of  the  executive  board. 

On  the  second  ballot  Thomas  Farry,  Cameron  Miller,  and 
John  Fahy,  having  received  a majority  of  all  votes  cast,  were 
declared  elected  members  of  the  national  executive  board. 

James  White  moved  the  election  be  made  unanimous,  which 
was  adopted. 

The  chair  said  the  next  business  was  the  election  of  dele- 
gates to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor.  John  McBride, 
P.  H.  Penna,  Charles  Call,  C.  Miller,  were  elected  delegates, 
and  P.  McBryde,  John  Nugent,  J.  A.  Crawford,  and  W.  C. 
Pearce,  alternates. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  resolutions: 

Whereas,  The  Connellsville  coke  region  is  disorganized, 
owing  to  failure  of  strike  two  years  ago;  and.  Whereas,  the 


JOHN  McBRIDE,  SECOND  PRESIDENT,  1892,  1893,  1894. 


PATRICK  McBRYDE,  SECOND  SECRETARY, 
1891,  1892,  1893,  1894,  1895. 


266 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


miners  and  coke  workers  of  said  region  are  anxious  to  be 
organized  again;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  national  convention  instruct  the  in- 
coming executive  board  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  push  organ- 
ization there  by  sending  organizers  into  that  field. 

Report  concurred  in. 

Resolved,  That  the  ton  of  two  thousand  pounds  be  the 
only  ton  recognized  by  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Concurred  in. 

Whereas,  The  free  miners  of  Tennessee  suffered  under  the 
convict  lease  system  until  patience  ceased  to  be  a virtue,  and 
they  resorted  to  the  use  of  arms  to  free  themselves  of  the 
blighting  scourge ; and 

Whereas,  Several  of  our  fellowmen  are  now  in  litigation 
for  the  part  they  have  been  accused  of  taking  in  the  struggle 
for  freedom ; and 

Whereas,  Litigation  is  always  attended  with  expenditure 
of  money — a commodity  with  which  miners  are  not  over- 
burdened; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  unreservedly  indorse  the  Tennessee 
miners’  attitude  and  conduct  in  this  particular,  and  recom- 
mend that  this  convention  vote  them  assistance  to  the  amount 
of  $500. 

Report  concurred  in. 

Whereas,  The  southern  coal  field  in  Indiana  is  only  par- 
tially organized  and  extraordinary  efforts  are  needed  there 
to  solidify  our  ranks,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  instruct  the  incoming  ex- 
ecutive board  to  render  the  Indiana  state  officials  assistance 
in  the  incoming  year  to  unify  the  miners  of  the  section 
named. 

Report  concurred  in. 

Whereas,  the  miners  of  Pennsylvania,  through  their  repre- 
sentatives, have  introduced  a bill  in  the  legislature  asking  for 
the  establishment  of  two  mining  schools;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  indorse  said  bill  and  urge  the 
miners  of  other  states  to  demand  the  same  from  their  several 
legislative  bodies. 


Concurred  in. 


Fourth  National  Convention 


267 


Whereas,  The  State  of  West  Virginia  or  district  17,  is  in 
a deplorable  condition  as  far  as  organization  is  concerned, 
and  those  receiving  scale  rates  threatened  with  a reduction; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  there  be  at  least  three  organizers  sent  to 
work  immediately  in  that  district  and  to  remain  there  as  long 
as  thought  practicable  by  the  national  executive  board. 

Concurred  in. 

Resolved,  That  we  condemn  the  system  of  weighing  our 
coal  on  the  flat  or  railroad  cars,  and  that  we  demand  the 
weighing  of  our  coal  on  scales  having  their  bearings  above 
ground. 

Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  we  urgently  demand  the  legislature  of  the 
different  coal  producing  states  to  pass  a rigid  law  forcing, 
under  severe  penalty,  operators  of  shaft  mines  to  provide  the 
latest  improved  safety  catches  on  all  carriages  used  for  lower- 
ing or  hoisting  the  persons  working  in  or  around  the  mines, 
and  that  all  operators  be  held  strictly  responsible  for  all  ac- 
cidents that  occur  in  and  around  the  mines. 

Concurred  in. 

Resolved,  That  the  incoming  executive  board  be  instructed 
to  make  some  provision  whereby  the  object  of  our  organiza- 
tion can  be  intelligently  laid  before  the  foreign-speaking  ele- 
ment. 

Concurred  in. 

The  time  for  adjournment  having  arrived  the  chair  an- 
nounced that  there  would  be  an  evening  session  held  tonight. 

Adjourned. 

NIGHT  SESSION. 

The  night  session  was  called  to  order  by  President  Mc- 
Bride. 

Committee  on  constitution  reported  that  the  car  fare  of 
delegates  to  and  from  the  National  Convention  be  referred  to 
the  executive  board  with  instructions  to  perfect  a plan  that 
will  secure  equality  to  all  its  members,  which  was  agreed  to. 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  power  and  influence  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor  and  American  Federation  of  Labor  should 
be  brought  to  bear  on  the  Monongah  Coal  company  to  compel 
said  company  to  recognize  union  labor ; 


268 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  this  convention  request  the  National  Ex- 
ecutive Board  of  the  Knights  of  Labor  and  the  executive 
council  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  to  issue  an 
appeal  to  all  organized  laboring  men  to  refuse  to  handle  any 
of  the  products  of  the  Monongah  Coal  company. 

Adopted. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  having  completed  their  re- 
port, on  motion  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

STATE  CONVENTION  DISTRICT  12. 

Springfield,  111. — The  fourth  annual  convention  of  district 
12,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  met  in  Giblin’s  hall, 
Springfield,  Illinois,  April  25,  1893,  at  10  a.  m.,  President 
J.  A.  Crawford  in  the  chair. 

Committee  on  credentials — Alfred  Wilson,  St.  David;  Rob- 
inson Cook,  Sangamon  mine,  Riverton;  and  William  Liddell, 
Oglesby,  reported  the  following  delegates  entitled  to  seats : 

Tony  Saurs,  New  North  Co-operative  mine,  Springfield; 
George  Armstrong,  Riverton;  Harry  Proutt,  Cable;  Job  Hill, 
Barclay;  John  Scattigood,  Dawson;  Robert  Cunion,  Athens; 
Alfred  Wilson,  St.  David  and  Bryant;  Robinson  Cook,  River- 
ton, Sangamon  mine;  William  Liddell,  Oglesby;  Michael  Lor- 
dan,  Centralia;  Thomas  Smith,  Riverton;  William  Wilkinson, 
Riverton,  Cleas  Lake  mine. 

Committee  on  resolutions — John  Scattigood,  Dawson;  Al- 
fred Wilson,  St.  David,  and  Tony  Saurs. 

Auditors — Robert  Cunion  and  William  Liddell. 

PRESIDENT  CRAWFORD’S  ADDRESS. 

To  the  Officers  and  Miners  of  District  12,  United  Mine 

Workers  of  America: 

Gentlemen — At  the  close  of  my  official  term  as  your  presi- 
dent, it  becomes  my  duty,  in  following  the  line  laid  down  by 
my  predecessors,  to  write  an  annual  address.  I approach  this 
task  with  feelings  of  pleasure  on  the  one  hand,  with  sadness  on 
the  other.  I am  pleased  to  be  able  to  say  to  this  convention, 
that  throughout  the  trying  times  of  the  past  year,  the  national 


District  12  Convention,  April,  1893. 


269 


organization  has  remained  true  to  its  trust,  in  that  out  of  the 
last  year  it  has  uncomplainingly  borne  the  salary  and  expenses 
of  your  president  for  over  eight  months’  steady  work  in  the 
field  in  the  interest  of  the  miners  of  this  state.  The  work  re- 
sulted in  organizations  in  Braidwood,  Braceville,  Gardner, 
Clark  City,  Spring  Valley,  Ladd,  Coal  City,  Farmington,  Dum- 
fermline,  Edwards,  Middle  Grove,  Westly  City,  etc.,  which 
like  Jonah’s  gourd,  withered  and  died  in  early  childhood. 
Cuba,  Bryant,  St.  David,  Riverton,  Barclay,  North  Shaft, 
Oglesby  and  others  organized  by  me  are  still  standing  true  to 
the  interest  of  the  organization. 

In  addition  to  the  labors  of  your  president  the  national  has 
at  various  times  sent  into  our  state  board  members  J.  P.  Jones 
of  Ohio,  James  White  of  Pennsylvania,  Michael  Ratchford  of 
Ohio,  and  Organizer  Tom  Davis,  who  have  prosecuted  can- 
vasses in  various  parts  of  the  state ; which,  together  with  the 
labors  of  Secretary-Treasurer  Guyman,  have  succeeded  in 
bringing  nearly  3,000  men  into  the  organization. 

But  strange  as  it  may  seem  and  sad  as  it  is,  only  about 
500  men  out  of  this  3,000  have  remained  true  to  their  own 
interest,  and  the  interest  of  their  fellow  craftsmen.  After 
our  last  convention  your  president,  assisted  by  the  Honorable 
William  Mooney,  of  Braidwood,  went  before  the  committee 
on  resolutions  in  the  State  Democratic  Convention,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  prevailing  on  that  political  body  to  engraft  into  their 
platform  several  planks  tending  to  the  benefit  of  miners  and 
wage  workers.  With  Hon.  P.  H.  Donnelly,  we  went  into  the 
State  Republican  Convention  for  the  same  purpose,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  the  adoption  of  the  same  planks.  In  view, 
therefore,  of  these  facts,  our  friends  in  the  present  house  and 
senate  have  introduced  a number  of  bills  beneficial  to  our 
craft,  for  which  they  and  we  have  been  working  since  the 
convening  of  the  present  general  assembly,  and  we  are 
pleased  to  be  able  to  say  to  you,  that  we  believe  many  of  those 
bills  will  be  enacted  into  law  before  the  adjournment  of  the 
present  session. 

I also  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  the  able  and  dis- 
interested work  done  by  the  Hon.  William  Mooney  of  Braid- 
wood in  the  Illinois  supreme  court  in  the  interest  of  the  truck 
law,  gross  weight  bill  and  weekly  pay  law,  which  should  en- 
dear him  to  the  heart  of  every  coal  miner  in  Illinois.  We 
should  always  remember  our  friends,  and  Mooney  is  a friend 
who  should  not  be  forgotten. 

Your  president  deplores  the  fact  that  there  is  at  several 
mining  points  in  this  state  a local  war  between  miners,  based 
and  waged  upon  religious  and  national  lines,  which  in  tend- 
ency and  thought  are  wholly  un-American,  and  viciously  dele- 


270 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


terious  to  all  the  best  interests  of  our  craft,  and  wholly  in 
the  interest  of  operators  and  managers,  who  use  such  miser- 
ably unfair  means  to  divide  the  ranks  of  the  miners,  that  they 
may  the  more  readily  and  easily  enslave  all  parties  to  the 
internecine  contest.  The  religious  and  race  war  is  a de- 
bilitated, fossilized  remnant  of  the  50’s,  which  was  properly 
buried  by  the  issues  of  the  Civil  War  and  whose  funeral  was 
preached  by  the  roaring  guns  from  the  Potomac  to  the  far 
west ; whose  petrified  body  has  been  resurrected  by  the  cranks 
of  today  and  made  to  do  duty  as  an  advance  guard  of  corpora- 
tions and  capitalists  in  their  onslaughts  on  the  toilers.  And 
we  only  regret  that  the  old  revivified  body  of  death  and  disso- 
lution is  welcomed  here  and  there  by  the  miners  as  a friend 
in  disguise.  Finally,  let  me  call  your  attention  to  the  late 
national  convention  demanding  5 cents  per  ton  advance 
throughout  the  competitive  field,  and  say  to  you  that  five  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Executive  Board  are  now  in  our  state 
working  preparatory  to  a convention  in  Streator  on  the  27th 
and  28th,  to  which  the  operators  of  districts  1,  2 and  3 have 
been  invited,  which  situation  requires  some  consideration  at 
your  hands.  In  laying  down  the  presidency  today,  I do  so, 
conscious  of  having  done  all  in  my  power  to  do  for  the  benefit 
and  welfare  of  our  craft  in  general,  and  I only  regret  having 
been  unable  to  do  much  that  ought  to  have  been  done,  by  a 
lack  of  sympathy  and  help,  by  the  greater  body  of  miners  in 
the  state. 

We  trust  that  the  incoming  year  may  be  one  of  advance- 
ment and  prosperity  for  the  miners,  and  earnestly  ask  that 
all  local  cause  of  dissatisfaction  and  disagreements  be  buried, 
and  a general  advance  be  made  all  along  the  lines. 

J.  A.  Crawford. 

Secretary-Treasurer  W.  J.  Guyman  gave  an  interesting 
resume  of  the  work  connected  with  his  office,  in  which  he 
states  that  the  national  officers  had  expended  over  $15,000  in 
Illinois  during  the  year  trying  to  build  up  the  organization. 

He  said  there  were  so  many  of  the  33,000  mine  workers 
in  the  district  who  wanted  something  for  nothing,  and  as  a 
result  of  their  apathy  brought  upon  themselves  the  humilia- 
tion of  a reduction  in  wages,  instead  of  an  advance  over  the 
previous  year’s  rates. 

The  secretary  reported  receipts  for  the  year  of  $1,323.69 
and  expenditures  of  the  same  amount.  The  auditors,  Robert 
Cunion  and  William  Liddell  reported  an  itemized  statement 


District  12  Convention,  April,  1893. 


271 


of  receipts  and  expenses  in  corroboration  of  the  figures  given 
by  the  secretary,  and  both  reports  were  adopted. 

Officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : Presi- 
dent or  Master  Workman,  J.  A.  Crawford;  Vice-President  or 
Worthy  Foreman,  Alfred  Wilson;  Secretary-Treasurer,  W.  J. 
Guyman. 

Members  of  the  State  Executive  Board:  First  district, 

Harry  Prout,  Cable;  second  district,  William  Liddell,  Oglesby; 
third  district,  Robert  Cunion,  Athens;  fourth  district,  Robin- 
son Cook,  Riverton;  fifth  district,  Michael  Lordan,  Centralia. 

The  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  concur  in  the  action  of  the 
national  convention  held  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  demanding 
5 cents  per  ton  advance  above  present  mining  rates. 

That  this  convention  ask  the  miners  of  the  Springfield  dis- 
trict to  refuse  to  sign  any  contracts  with  the  operators  before 
May  1,  1893. 

That  we,  the  miners  of  Illinois,  in  convention  assembled, 
hereby  express  our  indorsement  of  the  action  of  our  state 
president,  J.  A.  Crawford,  in  his  efforts  to  secure  legislation 
beneficial  to  our  craft. 

That  we  express  our  sincere  thanks  to  the  representatives 
and  senators  of  the  thirty-eighth  general  assembly  who  have 
introduced,  labored  and  voted  for  house  and  senate  bills  tend- 
ing toward  the  benefit  of  all  classes. 

That  we  respectfully  request  the  members  of  the  thirty- 
eighth  general  assembly  to  enact  into  law,  during  their  present 
session,  those  bills  enumerated  in  the  miners’  petitions  now 
in  the  hands  of  representatives. 

That  these  resolutions  be  printed  in  the  city  papers,  and 
the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal. 

Whereas,  During  the  past  year  our  organization  has  made 
great  progress  throughout  Illinois ; and 

Whereas,  Our  president  and  secretary  have  labored  to 
obtain  a peaceable  solution  of  all  difficulties,  by  conciliation, 
compromise,  or  arbitration;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  approve  of  the  action  of  our 
state  officers ; and  endorse  their  administration ; 

That  we  believe  strikes  and  lockouts  can  be  avoided  by 
the  proper  laws  governing  compulsory  arbitration;  and  de- 
clare in  favor  of  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  such  laws ; 

That  as  a thorough  organization  only  can  give  us  the  full 
benefit  of  our  weekly  pay  law,  and  other  measures  enacted  for 
our  protection,  we  declare  it  the  duty  of  every  mine  worker  to 


272 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


become  a member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

That  we  request  our  state  officers  to  call  a joint  convention 
of  miners  and  operators  of  inspection  districts  4 and  5,  as 
soon  as  possible  after  the  adjournment  of  the  joint  convention 
in  Streator,  Illinois. 

That  as  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journxil  is  the  only 
official  organ  of  our  organization,  we  earnestly  urge  the  miners 
of  Illinois  to  make  an  extra  effort  to  extend  its  circulation. 
That  a semi-annual  convention  be  held  in  Springfield  on  the 
fourth  Tuesday  in  August,  1893,  and  that  the  next  annual 
convention  of  this  body  be  held  in  Peoria,  111.,  beginning  at 
10 :30  a.  m.  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  April,  1894. 

President  J.  A.  Crawford  delivered  an  interesting  and 
entertaining  address  on  “Productive  and  Distributive  Co- 
Operation”  which  was  heartily  applauded  by  the  convention. 

Brother  Michael  Lorden  addressed  the  convention  on  “Or- 
ganization and  Co-Operation.” 

Brother  A.  Wilson  made  an  able  argument  in  favor  of 
thorough  organization  and  Brother  Cunion  made  a strong  ap- 
peal to  the  delegates  to  use  all  their  influence  toward  extending 
the  circulation  and  usefulness  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’ 
Jounml. 

On  motion  the  convention  adjourned  to  meet  in  Spring- 
field  on  August  22,  1893. 

J.  A.  Crawford,  President  and  Master  Workman. 

W.  J.  Guyman,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

OHIO  SUB-DISTRICT  FORMED  AT  SHERRODSVILLE, 

OHIO. 

Sherrodsville,  Ohio.,  April  26,  1893. — In  answer  to  call 
issued  by  D.  H.  Sullivan  the  following  delegates  met  at  Sher- 
rodsville, April  26 : W.  L.  Davies,  Sherrodsville ; Lewis 

Snyder,  North  Sandusky;  Thomas  Simester,  Somerdale;  A. 
Snellbaker,  North  Sandusky;  John  Tyrrell,  Osnaburg;  Alex. 
Ford,  Dell  Roy;  Thomas  Thomas,  Mineral  Point. 

W.  L.  Davis  was  chosen  chairman  and  Thomas  Simister, 
secretary. 

Moved,  that  we  form  a sub-district  of  the  various  mines 
in  this  vicinity.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  establishing  a uniform 
price  for  mining  coal  in  this  sub-district,  based  on  a four- 


Indiana  Joint  Contract,  May,  1893 


273 


foot  seam,  namely,  77  cents  per  ton,  and  an  additional  4 cents 
for  every  three  inches  below  four  feet. 

Motion,  That  all  the  mines  in  this  vicinity  working  below 
scale  rates  be  brought  up  to  scale  rates,  both  for  mining  and 
day  labor.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  not  in  favor  of  signing  any  agree- 
ment with  the  operators  except  on  the  5 cents  advance  basis. 

Mineral  Point  was  chosen  as  the  next  place  of  meeting,  and 
the  secretary  was  ordered  to  invite  Barnhill  and  Goshen  to  be 
represented  at  the  next  meeting,  also  a request  that  our  state 
president  attend  the  next  meeting  if  possible.  W.  L.  Davis 
was  elected  sub-district  president,  and  Allen  Snellbaker  of 
North  Sandusky,  secretary.  Meeting  adjourned. 

W.  L.  Davis,  President. 

Thomas  Simester,  Secretary. 

CONTRACT  BETWEEN  THE  INDIANA  BITUMINOUS 
COAL  OPERATORS  AND  MINERS. 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  by  and  between 
the  bituminous  coal  operators  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  party 
of  the  first  part,  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
party  of  the  second  part, 

Witnesseth — That  the  following  scale  of  prices  shall  govern 
the  operation  of  the  mines  of  said  first  party  for  one  year 
from  May  1,  1893 : 

The  price  for  day  work  in  the  mine,  for  practical  men, 
shall  be  22  2-9  cents  per  hour.  The  price  for  pick  mining 
shall  be  70  cents  per  ton,  and  yardage  and  room-turning  as 
heretofore.  Break-throughs  between  entries  shall  be  paid  the 
same  price  as  entries  of  the  same  width,  when  similarly 
driven. 

The  price  for  mining  with  Harrison  or  Sargent  machines, 
including  cutting,  drilling,  shooting  and  loading,  together  with 
the  usual  care  of  room,  shall  be  as  heretofore,  52  1-2  cents 
per  ton,  and  narrow  work  to  be  paid  for  as  at  present,  ex- 
cept that  the  price  for  room  turning  and  break-throughs  shall 
be  subject  to  investigation  and  settlement  by  the  committee 
hereinafter  named,  provided  settlement  is  not  made  by  em- 
ployer and  his  employes. 

The  price  for  mining  with  a Legg  machine  shall  be  13  cents 
per  ton  for  rooms  and  15  cents  per  ton  for  entries. 

The  price  for  shooting  and  loading  after  Legg  machines. 


274 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


including  the  usual  care  of  rooms,  shall  be  31i/^  cents  per 
ton  in  rooms,  and  37  cents  per  ton  in  entries. 

The  price  of  mining  and  all  settlements  therefor  shall 
be  based  on  the  weight  of  screened  coal  or  its  equivalent. 

Payments  for  coal  mined  and  labor  performed  shall  be 
made  semi-monthly,  not  later  than  the  10th  and  25th  of  each 
month  for  the  earnings  of  the  preceding  half  month  respec- 
tively. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  president  of  the  miners’ 
organization  and  the  president  of  the  operators’  association 
shall  be  a committee  of  two  with  powers  of  substitution  to 
investigate  and  settle  all  grievances  that  shall  be  referred  to 
them  not  otherwise  provided  for  in  this  contract. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  party  of  the  first  part  shall 
offer  no  objection  to  the  checkoff  for  checkweighman  and 
for  dues  for  the  party  of  the  second  part;  provided,  that  no 
check-off  shall  be  made  against  any  person  until  he  shall  have 
first  given  his  consent  in  writing  to  his  employer. 

This  contract  is  entered  into  by  the  parties  hereto,  with- 
out reservation  and  in  good  faith. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our 
names  this  10th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1893. 

Bituminous  Operators’  Association,  by 

J.  Smith  Talley,  President. 

Attest:  W.  E.  Eppert,  Secretary. 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  District  No.  11,  by 

M.  COMESKY,  President. 

Attest:  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

Miners'  Scale  Committee — M.  Comesky,  Daniel  Llewellyn, 
Joseph  Dunkerly,  William  Van  Horn,  John  Crabb,  John  Grif- 
fith, Harry  Hargrave,  William  Scorer,  John  Henry. 

Operators’  Scale  Committee — W.  Kenner,  N.  C.  Anderson, 
Joseph  Martin,  H.  T.  Neal,  A.  M.  Ogle,  J.  Smith  Talley. 

DEATH  OF  MRS.  JOHN  M’BRIDE. 

On  Thursday  morning.  May  4,  1893,  news  was  received 
by  the  colleagues  of  President  John  McBride  that  Maiy,  his 
faithful  wife,  had  died  at  a little  after  midnight  at  her  home 
in  Massillon,  Ohio. 

For  the  last  six  or  eight  months  the  deceased  had  been  in  a 
precarious  state  of  health,  and  when  the  silent  messenger  at 
last  arrived  to  summon  her  to  her  heavenly  abode,  her  friends 
were  not  wholly  unprepared  for  her  departure. 

It  is  a sad  blow  to  Brother  IMcBride,  however,  for  the 


Special  Convention  District  11 


275 


happy  period  of  wedded  co-partnership  was  such  as  to  attract 
the  admiring  comment  of  all  who  knew  him  and  his  gentle 
and  urbane  Mary. 

She  was  a kind,  considerate  and  discreet  mother,  and  the 
atmosphere  around  her  home  and  all  the  domestic  endear- 
ments which  she  shaped  and  nurtured  bear  abundant  testi- 
mony to  the  fullness  of  her  realization  of  the  portentous  duties 
incumbent  upon  the  guardian  and  molder  of  the  character  of 
the  young.  She  left  four  children  to  mourn  her  death.  She 
has  been  a comforter  and  counsellor  to  President  McBride  in 
some  of  his  most  trying  ordeals,  and  was  in  hearty  sympathy 
with  him  in  his  long  career  as  a leader  of  his  craftsmen. 

The  funeral  of  the  deceased  occurred  on  Saturday,  the  6th 
inst.,  at  Massillon,  and  a large  concourse  of  people  gathered 
to  pay  tribute  to  the  remains  of  the  departed  and  much  re- 
spected wife  and  mother.  Most  of  President  McBride's  old 
time  colleagues  were  present,  as  well  as  many  of  the  members 
of  the  present  national  executive  board  as  were  able  to  reach 
the  place  of  burial. 

Most  of  the  district  mine  inspectors  of  Ohio  were  present, 
as  well  as  other  well-known  people. 

Much  sympathy  was  exhibited  for  the  bereaved  family, 
and  all  joined  in  the  belief  that  the  loss  of  the  Christian 
woman,  the  devoted  wife  and  the  loving  mother  is  one  that 
few  communities  or  few  families  can  sustain  without  deep 
feeling  and  regret. 


DISTRICT  ELEVEN. 

Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  May  7,  1893. 

Special  convention  of  District  11,  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  met  on  Wednesday,  May  3,  at  the  Court  House  build- 
ing in  this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  formulate  a scale 
of  prices  to  govern  for  the  year  ending  May  1,  1894.  The 
convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Comesky,  at 
1:30  p.  m.  and  the  object  of  the  convention  explained.  The 
following  were  then  appointed  a committee  on  credentials: 
Joseph  Dunkerly,  Clinton;  Winfield  Sponsler,  Linton,  and 
Lawrence  Redmeister,  Washington.  The  committee  found 
the  following  delegates  entitled  to  seats,  and  recommende(j 


276 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


they  be  seated:  Joseph  Dunkerly,  Clinton;  Simon  Scratcher, 
Clinton;  John  H.  Crabb  and  D.  Kealy,  Fontanet;  William 
Scorer,  Rosedale;  Winifred  Sponsler,  Linton;  John  Henry, 
Coxville;  D.  Llewellyn,  Clinton;  George  Purcell,  Dugger; 
Simpson  Newport,  Linton;  Lawrence  Redmeister  and  W.  D. 
Van  Horn,  Washington;  E.  F.  Livingood,  Silverwood;  Theo. 
Himburg,  Washington;  Harry  Hargraves,  Coal  Bluff;  D.  C. 
Adams,  Fontanet;  James  Richards,  Clinton;  A.  J.  Hayes,  Can- 
nelberg;  Robert  Simpson,  Dugger;  J.  T,  Jones,  Linton,  Alex 
Harris,  Burnett  Martin,  Gales  Montgomery  and  J.  W.  Martin, 
Minchall. 

Members  of  the  board  present:  T.  G.  Morgan,  John  E. 

Griffiths  and  National  Vice-President  P.  H.  Penna. 

A scale  committee  of  seven  was  then  elected.  Committee : 
Griffiths,  Newport,  Llewellyn,  Crabb,  Morgan,  Hargraves,  and 
Van  Horn.  Brother  Morgan  resigned  from  the  committee  and 
Brother  Dunkerly  was  elected  in  his  place. 

An  expression  of  the  delegates  was  called  for  and  it  was 
found  they  were  almost  unanimous  in  favor  of  adhering  to  the 
demands  of  the  national  convention,  namely,  5 cents  above 
present  prices. 

The  hour  having  arrived  to  meet  the  operators,  the  con- 
vention adjourned  until  7 p.  m.  Vice-President  Penna  was 
invited  to  accompany  the  committee. 

The  convention  again  met  at  7 p.  m.,  but  owing  to  the  fact 
that  the  scale  committee  was  not  ready  to  report,  the  conven- 
tion adjourned  until  Thursday  morning. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8:10  a.  m.  by  President 
Comesky.  Brother  Simpson  Newiiort  was  called  upon  to 
make  the  report  of  the  committee.  It  was  simply  last  year’s 
prices  and  conditions  without  any  change.  On  motion,  the 
report  was  received. 

It  was  then  moved  and  adopted  that  the  whole  matter  be 
referred  back  to  the  locals. 

Moved  that  this  convention  do  now  adjourn  and  that  the 
delegates  explain  as  fully  as  possible  all  the  conditions  sur- 
rounding the  situation  and  that  the  locals  take  action  and  re- 
port the  result  through  their  representatives  in  this  city  next 


Tennessee  Joint  Agreement,  1893 


277 


Monday.  Motion  carried.  An  amendment  was  offered  to  strike 
out  Monday  and  insert  Wednesday.  Amendment  lost. 

All  the  mines  in  the  bituminous  field  will  be  expected  to 
quit  work  after  Saturday  until  a new  contract  is  made. 

John  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

SCALE  OF  PRICES  FOR  THE  JELLICO,  TENN., 

DISTRICT. 

Jellico,  Tennessee,  May  8,  1893. 

The  following  is  the  agreement  made  at  Jellico,  between 
the  miners  and  operators  for  the  current  year: 

For  Central  Jellico  Coal  Company,  Jellico  Coal  Mining 
Company,  Main  Jellico  Mountain  Coal  Company,  East  Ten- 
nessee Coal  Company,  The  Proctor  Coal  Company,  Falls 
Branch  Jellico  Coal  Company,  Wooldridge  Jellico  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  Standard  Coal  and  Coke  Company. 

1.  The  price  for  high  coal  shall  be  75  cents  per  ton  of 
2,000  pounds  over  a screen  of  65  superficial  feet  li/^  inches 
between  the  bars.  Medium  coal  80  cents  per  ton.  Low  coal 
85  cents  per  ton.  High  coal  shall  measure  3 feet  6 inches  and 
over.  Medium  coal  3 feet  3 inches  and  under  3 feet  6 inches. 
Low  coal  all  under  3 feet  3 inches.  It  is  understood  that  only 
coal  shall  be  measured  and  not  impurities.  The  mining  seam 
and  sand  band  shall  not  be  considered  impurities. 

2.  The  standard  price  for  slate  entries  shall  be  $2.50  per 
yard,  but  when  both  top  and  bottom  are  blasted  the  price  shall 
be  $3  per  yard.  Rock  or  sandstone  entries  shall  be  $3.50  per 
yard,  and  if  this  price  is  not  satisfactory  the  company  may 
blast  such  entries  by  day  labor.  Air-ways,  break-throughs 
and  all  narrow  work  in  the  coal,  when  used  for  entries  or  air- 
ways, shall  be  $1  per  yard,  but  whenever  slate  parting  occurs 
in  the  coal  and  on  top  or  iDottom  is  blasted  the  price  shall  be 
$1.50  per  yard  when  the  slate  does  not  exceed  9 inches ; over  9 
inches  and  up  to  18  inches,  in  entries  and  rooms,  5 cents  per 
ton  extra  on  the  coal  will  be  paid.  Turning  rooms  shall  be 
$2.50  in  high  coal,  $2.75  in  medium  coal  and  $3  in  low  coal  for 
single  rooms,  and  $4.50  for  double  rooms,  in  all  coal  when 
ordered. 

3.  All  timber  will  be  placed  convenient  to  the  mouth  of  the 
mine,  but  miners  must  select  their  timbers  and  place  them  con- 
venient to  the  track  and  number  them,  then  the  driver  will 
bring  them  at  his  earliest  convenience  after  being  notified: 
but  it  must  be  distinctly  understood  that  miners  must  not 
under  any  consideration  continue  to  work  if  a delay  of  delivery 
endangers  his  safety. 


278 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


4.  Ten  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  labor,  and  all  day 
labor  shall  be  paid  by  the  hour  on  the  following  scale : Drum, 
17^2  cents  per  hour;  chute,  15  cents  per  hour;  head  trackmen, 
22  cents  per  hour;  assistant  trackmen,  I71/2  cents  per  hour; 
drivers,  I71/2  cents  per  hour;  spike  team  drivers,  20  cents  per 
hour;  trappers,  5 to  71/2  cents  per  hour;  oilers,  5 to  71/2  cents 
per  hour;  coupler,  12i^  cents  per  hour;  furnace,  15  cents  per 
hour. 

5.  Pay  day  shall  be  on  the  first  Saturday  after  the  10th 
of  each  month  for  all  work  done  in  the  preceding  month,  less 
charges,  but  on  presentation  of  five  days’  notice  by  any  em- 
ploye he  shall  be  entitled  to  full  settlement  at  expiration  of 
such  notice. 

6.  Any  employe  desiring  to  have  his  dues  to  the  lodge 
paid  or  collected  through  the  office  will  notify  the  company 
to  that  effect,  and  collections  will  be  paid  to  the  parties  desig- 
nated by  the  lodge,  provided  there  is  sufficient  credit  in  the 
office  to  pay  said  dues,  but  under  all  circumstances  the  cut  for 
checkweighman’s  salary  shall  be  recognized. 

7.  In  case  of  death  in  the  family  of  any  employe,  or  upon 
the  death  of  an  employe,  the  following  rule  shall  prevail ; 
Death  by  accident  in  or  around  any  mine,  such  mine  will 
lie  idle  until  after  the  funeral.  Death  of  a grown  person 
from  natural  causes,  the  mine  will  lie  idle  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  funeral.  On  the  death  of  a child,  or  minor,  the  work  will 
not  lie  idle,  but  those  wishing  to  attend  the  funeral  may  lay 
off  to  do  so. 

8.  There  shall  be  a board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation. 

This  board  shall  consist  of  the  following:  J.  C.  Brooks,  P. 

Francis  and  Wm.  Jones  for  the  operators;  Burl  Anderson, 
S.  P.  Herron  and  John  Burns  for  the  miners.  In  no  case  shall 
the  men  strike  or  quit  until  this  board  has  finally  acted.  It  is 
distinctly  understood  and  agreed  that  this  agreement  is  to  be 
the  basis  of  all  settlements  and  arbitrations. 

9.  This  agreement  expires  by  limitation  on  April  30, 
1894.  W.  T.  Riley,  Secretary-Treasurer,  District  19. 

MACHINE  MEN’S  EARNINGS. 

New  Straitsville,  Ohio,  IMay  8,  1893. 

The  Columbus  Hocking  Coal  and  Iron  Company  are  own- 
ers of  a mine  located  between  Straitsville  and  Shawnee  on 
Rock  Run,  a branch  of  the  Baltimore  & Ohio  railroad.  It  is 
a drift  mine  with  a shipping  capacity  of  1,000  tons  daily.  In 
June,  1892,  the  Jeffrey  electric  cutting  machine  was  placed 


Ohio  Miners  and  Operators  Confer 


279 


in  the  mine,  and  with  the  exception  of  a few  stumps  and  pil- 
lars, all  the  coal  was  mined  by  this  machine.  From  June, 
1892,  until  January,  1893,  350  men  were  employed  in  and 
around  the  mine  and  230  men  since  that  time.  The  figures 
given  are  intended  to  show  the  earnings  of  the  machine  men 
at  this  mine  for  each  month  of  the  year  quoted,  with  the  hope 
that  they  will  be  of  value  to  those  interested. 

The  following  is  the  general  average  per  month  for  one 
man  with  expenses,  such  as  powder,  oil,  checkweighman  and 
blacksmith,  taken  from  it : 


1892 

May  

June 

July 

August  _ 
September 
October  _ 
November 
December 

1893 
January 
February 

March 

April  


Av.  per  mo. 

$35.65 

26.85 

43.75 

32.75 

28.80 

36.90 

28.80 

22.80 

20.50 

20.50 

32.00 

22.50 


Total  .$351.80 

Thus  making  a general  average  from  May  1,  1892,  up  to 
May  1,  1893,  of  $29.31  per  month. 


JOINT  MEETING  AT  COLUMBUS,  OHIO. 

On  Tuesday  morning.  May  9,  1893,  delegates  from  the  Ohio 
miners  met  in  the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  Columbus,  Ohio,  in 
response  to  a call  made  by  national  and  district  officers. 

District  President  Nugent  called  the  convention  to  order 
and  appointed  the  following  committee  on  credentials:  J.  S. 
Wilson,  Mark  Gulliver  and  Valentine  Tyson,  who  after  a little 
delay  reported  delegates  entitled  to  seats  as  follows : Charles 
Call,  Edward  Call,  John  H.  Taylor,  J.  S.  Wilson,  Straitsville ; 
Charles  A.  Robbins,  Yorkville;  George  Effner,  Coshocton 
county;  Lotwig  Evans,  Michael  Ratchford,  North  Lawrence; 
Mark  Gulliver,  Coalton;  William  Etheridge,  Glen  Roy;  A.  A. 
Adams,  Jonathan  Coslet,  Sub-District  9 ; G.  Savage,  Pal- 
myra; George  Wend,  Hocking  Valley  mine;  Joseph  Chad- 
wick, Alexander  Johnson,  Andrew  Stephenson,  Nelsonville; 


280 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Edward  Sohn,  Buchtel;  Samuel  Martin,  R.  L.  Davis,  Rend- 
ville;  W.  L.  Davis,  Sub-district  4;  Henry  Shires,  W.  E. 
Lewis,  Fluhart’s  mines;  W.  J.  Ryan,  Sand  Run;  John 
Spriggs,  Thomas  McGuire,  Wellston;  Edmund  Thomas, 
Longstreth;  Thomas  Padden,  Lost  Run  mine;  Hugh  Lewis, 
Sub-District  7;  Robert  Pattison,  Bellaire;  Francis  Jeffers, 
Local  Union  430;  James  McMahon,  Local  Union  286;  W.  F. 
Fowler,  Jackson  county;  V.  Tyson,  Sub-District  10;  Dixon 
Edgerly,  Steubenville;  Oliver  Channell,  Jackson;  W.  Apple- 
garth,  Maynard;  Richard  Allen,  Wadsworth;  William  Atwood. 
Local  Union  364;  D.  J.  Jones,  Shawnee;  H.  D.  Allbaugh, 
Zaleski;  David  Potter,  Simers  Mine;  C.  W.  W.  Walker, 
Local  Union  374;  John  Ronan,  Clover  Hill;  Willard  Bartoe, 
Local  Union  270;  Francis  Welsh,  Herron  Brook;  James  Blu- 
meyer,  Lisbon;  John  0.  Dolman,  Local  Union  81;  C.  P.  Ray, 
Clifton  Shaft;  T.  Hardy,  Washingtonville ; members  of  the 
district  board,  J.  D.  Jones,  Shawnee;  Thomas  McGough, 
Bridgeport;  Michael  Ratchford,  North  Lawrence;  R.  L.  Davis, 
Rendville;  Vice-President  James  Pritchard.  National  officers, 
John  McBride,  P.  H.  Penna,  Patrick  McBryde,  J.  H.  Craw- 
ford, C.  Miller,  John  Fahy,  W.  Howells. 

With  the  delegates  seated.  District  President  Nugent 
stated  briefly  that  the  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  meet  the 
operators;  that  National  Vice-President  P.  H.  Penna  and  Sec- 
retary Patrick  McBryde  had  signed  the  call,  so  had  the  oper- 
ators, and  that  he  thought  they  could  hold  a joint  meeting 
with  the  operators  in  the  afternoon. 

National  Vice-President  Penna-  said  District  President 
Nugent  had  stated  the  object  of  calling  the  convention  cor- 
rectly and  that  he  signed  the  call  for  reasons  stated. 

After  further  explanations  it  was  resolved  to  meet  the 
operators  and  hold  a night  session  jointly. 

The  question  was  again  considered  in  all  its  bearings, 
among  which  was  the  fact  that  other  states  had  already  agreed 
to  work  at  the  previous  year’s  prices  and  that  operators  were 
using  this  as  one  of  the  strongest  arguments  against  an  ad- 
vance of  5 cents  per  ton  in  Ohio. 

The  Ohio  miners  insisted  on  an  increase  and  many  of  them 
wanted  to  continue  the  struggle  until  the  advance  was  con- 
ceded. 


Ohio  Miners  and  Operators  Confer 


281 


It  was  finally  decided  to  adjourn  and  meet  the  operators  in 
the  afternoon. 

The  joint  conference  met  in  the  afternoon  in  Lyndon  hall 
and  after  a short  conference  it  was  clearly  demonstrated  that 
the  operators  intended  to  stand  for  the  last  year’s  prices  and 
conditions.  The  result  was  an  adjournment  of  the  joint  body, 
the  miners  remaining  in  the  hall  for  the  purpose  of  consider- 
ing the  gravity  of  the  situation  as  it  now  stood. 

The  operators  having  left  the  hall,  the  national  executive 
board  was  called  upon  to  make  a statement  of  the  true  state 
of  affairs  from  a national  standpoint.  National  President  Mc- 
Bride, Vice-President  Penna  and  Secretary  Patrick  McBryde, 
speaking  for  the  national  executive  board,  each  in  turn  made 
the  situation  clear  as  to  the  cause  for  the  unenviable  position 
now  confronting  them.  It  was  said  that  the  position  or- 
ganized miners  found  themselves  in  was  a miscalculation 
based  upon  assurance  as  to  the  conduct  of  unorganized  miners 
throughout  the  competitive  field.  With  an  explanation  of  the 
national  officials  and  a discussion  of  the  question  in  all  its  de- 
tails by  several  delegates,  John  H.  Taylor  moved  “That  we 
favor  signing  last  year’s  scale  for  mining,  but  will  leave  other 
disputed  questions  regarding  inequalities  (including  the  ma- 
chine and  Jackson  county  matter)  to  arbitration,  said  ques- 
tions being  mentioned  in  the  scale  of  prices  drawn  up.” 

The  motion  was  adopted. 

President  McBride  said  that  some  specified  time  should  be 
stated  for  the  arbitration  to  take  place.  This  was  to  be  the 
understanding  of  the  convention. 

The  following  spokesmen  were  elected  to  speak  in  the  joint 
convention,  who  were  supplemented  by  the  district  and  na- 
tional officers:  C.  Call,  V.  Tyson,  R.  Patterson,  H.  Lewis,  M. 
Ratchford,  A.  A.  Adams,  Thomas  McGough,  W.  L.  Davis,  R.  L. 
Davis,  Thomas  Hardy,  James  Blumeyer,  Ed.  Thomas  and  G. 
Savage. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  to  meet  the  operators  at 
8 p.  m. 


282 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


EVENING  JOINT  SESSION. 

The  conference  was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Harris,  oper- 
ator chairman,  and  Messrs.  W.  C.  Pearce  and  Frank  Brooks, 
secretaries. 

President  Nugent,  for  the  miners,  said  that  the  miners 
were  willing  to  withdraw  the  claim  for  5 cents  advance,  but 
desired  that  the  machine  question  and  Jackson  county  matter 
be  considered  and  acted  upon. 

Mr.  Morton,  operator,  asked  what  do  the  miners  desire? 
District  President  Nugent  said  the  miners  want  a considera- 
tion of  the  Jackson  county  dispute  and  machine  question. 

H.  L.  Chapman,  ever  ready  to  defend  the  coal  mining  in- 
terest of  Jackson  county  operators,  took  charge  of  the  floor 
with  a display  of  oratory  that  caused  both  miners  and  oper- 
ators to  take  notice  that  the  Jackson  county  coal  field  was  not 
only  on  the  map,  but  was  and  would  continue  to  be  well 
guarded  against  the  intrusion  of  what  he  considered  its  rights 
by  either  miner  or  operator.  He  said  “Jackson  county  prices 
were  considered  in  1886  upon  a strike  made  by  the  miners. 
The  operators  had  spent  time  and  money,  had  ransacked  docu- 
ments, books  and  statistics  and  the  relative  position  of  Jack- 
son  county  had  been  settled  and  that  he  for  one  would  not  be 
a party  to  the  opening  up  of  a reconsideration  of  the  relative 
prices  of  Jackson  county.”  In  referring  to  Judge  Wm.  H. 
Taft’s  decision  as  umpire,  he  further  said  “sworn  testimony 
had  been  taken  and  the  matter  had  been  submitted  to  an  um- 
pire and  it  was  decided  adversely  to  the  miners  and  they  had 
accepted  the  situation.” 

The  position  taken  by  Chapman  created  much  opposition 
on  the  part  of  both  miners  and  operators.  Of  the  latter,  Mr. 
Howells  of  the  Massillon  district  quoted  figures  to  justify  his 
position  that  Jackson  county  operators  were  paying  less  prices 
for  mining  than  was  being  paid  in  the  Massillon  field.  At 
times  during  the  proceedings.  Operators  Chapman  and 
Howells  played  a hustling  game  at  repartee  that,  while  lack- 
ing in  pleasantries,  made  history  for  the  miners  of  value  for 
future  use.  President  John  McBride  and  Vice-President 
Penna  made  excellent  speeches  against  the  prices  being  paid 
in  the  Jackson  county  coal  field,  after  which  Mr.  Johnson, 


Ohio  Joint  Conference  Continued 


283 


operator,  said  that  the  Hocking  Valley  operators’  committee 
were  willing  to  meet  a committee  of  Hocking  Valley  miners 
and  officials  on  the  ground  laid  down  by  the  miners. 

The  hour  of  11  p.  m.  having  arrived,  the  conference  ad- 
j ourned. 

The  convention  met  on  Wednesday  morning,  and  a reso- 
lution was  offered  by  President  Nugent  to  the  effect  that  we 
agree  on  last  year’s  prices,  but  that  all  irregularities  and 
equalizations  be  held  subject  to  adjudication. 

The  resolution  was  discussed  pro  and  con,  various  opinions 
being  held  by  the  operators.  Messrs.  Chapman  and  Howells 
had  another  bout  something  similar  to  what  took  place  the 
preceding  evening,  but  finally  Mr.  Chapman  receded  a little 
from  his  position  and  said  he  was  willing  to  meet  the  repre- 
sentatives of  Jackson  county  and  talk  the  matter  over,  which 
brought  about  the  appointment  of  committees  from  each  sub- 
district to  confer  with  like  committees  of  operators.  The  fol- 
lowing were  appointed  on  the  committees  for  the  miners : 

Machine  Miners — Charles  Call,  Edmund  Thomas,  William 
Ryan,  George  Wend,  William  Bartlow,  A.  A.  Adams,  Edward 
Call,  John  Fahy. 

Sub-District  No.  3 — Michael  Ratchford,  John  Ronan,  C.  P. 
Ray,  Lotwig  Evans,  Richard  Allen,  Francis  Welsh. 

Sub-District  No.  J — W.  L.  Davis,  James  Pritchard,  Alex. 
Johnson. 

Sub-District  No.  5 — R.  L.  Davis,  D.  J.  Jones,  J.  H.  Taylor. 

Sub-District  No.  6 — Thomas  McGough,  C.  A.  Robins,  Wil- 
liam Atwood,  R.  J.  Patterson,  John  McMahon,  William  Apple- 
garth. 

Sub-District  No.  7 — All  the  delegates  from  Jackson  county 
and  Patrick  McBryde. 

Sub-District  No.  10 — Valentine  Tyson,  Cameron  Miller. 

Columbiana  County — Thomas  Hardy,  W.  Blumeyer,  John 
Nugent. 

Palmyra — G.  Savage. 

Committee  for  the  Operators : 

Palmyra — H.  D.  Hutson,  H.  D.  Marble. 

Massillon  District — A.  Howells,  J.  M.  Drake,  L.  R.  War- 
wick, J.  Beidler,  W.  Mullen. 


284 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Tuscarawas  County — J.  A.  Beidler,  C.  J.  Brackenshire. 

Columbiana  County — J.  B.  Zerbe,  S.  E.  Walker,  J.  H.  War- 
ner, T.  Prosser,  T.  Lewis. 

Wheeling  & Lake  Erie  Railroad — George  Heatherington, 
J.  E.  Waters,  R.  H.  Wainwright,  J,  C.  Allen. 

Jackson  County — J.  S.  Willard,  Theodore  Fluhart,  T.  M. 
Morgan,  D.  Harris,  E.  T.  Jones,  H.  L.  Chapman. 

Hocking  County — J.  S.  Morton,  H.  D.  Turney,  R.  H.  John- 
son, T.  Johnson,  V.  Ferguson,  M.  E.  Shaffer,  D.  C.  Cole,  E. 
Johnson. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  to  give  the  committee  time 
to  act. 

WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON. 

The  chairman  called  the  meeting  to  order  at  4 o’clock  p.  m. 
and  a report  from  the  respective  committees  was  heard,  only 
one  of  the  committees,  viz.,  that  of  Massillon,  agreeing  to  vote 
for  the  resolution  presented  by  Mr.  Nugent  in  the  morning 
session,  which  was  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  pick  mining  in  the  Hocking 
Valley,  from  May  1,  1893,  to  April  30,  1894,  shall  be  70 
cents  per  ton,  and  the  same  relative  prices  shall  be  paid  by 
other  sections  of  the  state,  conditioned  upon  nothing,  in  this 
resolution,  preventing  an  adjudication  of  irregularities  or  in- 
equalities in  such  prices. 

All  the  other  committees,  with  probably  one  exception, 
reported  that  they  had  disagreed,  this  exception  having  agreed 
to  abide  by  anything  the  convention  might  do.  Jackson  County 
district  was  noticeable  for  the  emphatic  way  they  had  dis- 
agreed. 

Taylor  moved  that  the  reports  of  committees  be  received 
and  the  committees  discharged.  Carried. 

Mr.  Howells  moved  that  the  resolution  offered  by  Nugent, 
and  which  was  lying  on  the  table,  be  taken  up.  An  operator 
asked  if  the  miners  had  not  always  reserved  the  right  which 
was  sought  in  the  resolution  to  adjudicate  irregularities  and 
inequalities. 

Secretary  McBryde  said  that  that  right  had  been  ques- 
tioned and  they  wanted  it  specified  in  the  contract. 


Ohio  Joint  Conference  Continued 


285 


A good  deal  of  discussion  was  had  on  this  motion,  when 
Mr.  McBride  moved,  That  it  be  indefinitely  postponed. 

This  motion  carried  and  a motion  to  adjourn  passed,  the 
miners  to  meet  at  7 : 30  p.  m.  in  Wirthwein’s  hall  and  the  joint 
convention  to  meet  in  the  Lyndon  hall  at  9 a.  m.  tomorrow. 

NIGHT  SESSION. 

The  miners  met  in  Wirthwein’s  hall  at  7 :30,  with  Presi- 
dent Nugent  in  the  chair. 

National  President  McBride  spoke  and  reviewed  the  whole 
field.  He  gave  some  very  valuable  information  and  his  re- 
marks elicited  a good  deal  of  further  light  being  shed  on  the 
situation  in  the  different  districts. 

The  meeting  resolved  itself  into  e^^ecutive  session  and  the 
different  speeches  from  the  delegates  were  not  to  be  given 
out  to  the  public.  It  is,  however,  permissible  to  say  that  Pres- 
ident McBride  proved  to  the  evident  satisfaction  of  the  dele- 
gates that  the  Massillon  operators  had  no  just  ground  to  claim 
any  reduction  in  the  price  of  mining,  no  matter  with  whom 
they  compared  themselves. 

Speeches  were  made  by  John  H.  Taylor,  Mark  Gulliver, 
Ed.  Thomas,  C.  Call,  Ed.  Call,  Alex.  Johnson,  Brothers  Blu- 
meyer,  Nugent,  Spriggs  and  others. 

Charles  Call  moved,  that  we  refuse  to  sign  a scale  and  that 
the  question  now  before  us  be  referred  back  to  the  sub-dis- 
tricts. 

Messrs.  Fowler,  Thomas  and  McBride  spoke  on  the  motion. 

Mr.  McGough  moved  the  previous  question,  which  was 
ordered,  and  Mr.  Call’s  motion  prevailed.  Mr.  Johnson  moved 
that  in  case  of  a lock-out  the  district  executive  board  be  em- 
powered to  make  provisions  for  the  support  of  the  locked-out 
men,  which  was  adopted.  The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

The  joint  convention  again  met  in  Lyndon  hall,  and  after 
President  Nugent  stated  the  position  of  the  miners,  Mr.  Mor- 
ton, operator,  moved.  That  we  agr.ee  to  sign  the  scale  of  last 
year,  with  the  exception  of  the  Massillon  district. 

P.  McBryde  opposed  the  motion,  and  asked  if  it  was  fair 
to  extend  to  the  Massillon  operators  the  privilege  which  the 


286 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


operators  refused  the  miners,  which  was  that  of  arbitrating 
the  grievances  and  inequalities  that  they,  the  miners,  com- 
plained of. 

Mr.  Chapman  said,  in  regard  to  the  miners’  position,  that 
they  in  the  Jackson  county  field  would  not  resume  work  with- 
out a contract  signed  for  the  year. 

Secretary  McBryde  said  that  the  miners  had  always  hon- 
orably carried  out  all  contracts  that  had  been  entered  into  by 
them,  but  that  if  they  were  not  permitted  to  voluntarily  sign 
a scale  and  were  coerced  into  signing  a contract,  that  they 
did  not  believe  to  be  fair,  that  they  would  not  consider  a 
thing  of  that  kind  a contract  at  all,  and  that  they  would  break 
it  with  as  little  compunction  as  if  it  never  existed. 

He  was  followed  by'  Mr.  Chapman,  who  insisted  that  Mr. 
McBryde  did  not  mean  what  he  had  said.  Chapman  produced 
the  proceedings  of  some  convention  which  was  held  away  back 
in  the  70’s  or  early  80’s,  to  which  Mr.  McBride’s  and  N.  R. 
Hysell’s  signatures  were  attached,  containing  a resolution 
purporting  to  have  settled  the  present  relative  basis  of  prices 
throughout  the  state  of  Ohio. 

Mr.  Hall,  operator,  of  the  Hocking  Valley,  spoke,  and  in  a 
very  friendly  way  lectured  the  miners’  side  of  the  convention, 
and  desired  them  to  go  ahead  as  usual,  sign  a scale  and,  if 
they  had  any  grievances,  to  get  them  in  shape,  and  then  they 
could  have  an  all-round  dance,  by  bringing  the  other  states 
in  with  them.  He  was  getting  along  admirably  up  to  this 
point,  when  Secretary  McBryde  tripped  him  up  and  referred 
him  to  Mr.  Chapman’s  position.  Mr.  Hall  said  he  did  not 
understand  that  any  of  the  operators  were  averse  to  what  he 
had  said.  “Yes,  they  are,”  said  McBryde,  “for  IMr.  Chapman 
says  his  case  is  settled  forever.” 

“Forever?”  says  Mr.  Hall.  “Yes,  forever  and  ever,  amen,” 
said  McBryde. 

In  the  midst  of  Mr.  Hall’s  discomfiture,  which  was  less  due 
to  his  own  ability  to  express  his  views  (for  he  is  a lucid 
talker),  than  to  the  palpable  groundlessness  of  the  stand  taken 
by  Mr.  Chapman,  Mr.  Morton  came  to  his  assistance  by  rising 
and  explaining  further  the  position  of  the  machine  question. 
He  said  that  the  machine  operators  could  not  pay  one  cent 
more  and  work  their  mines.  In  answer  to  Mr.  Nugent,  he  said 


Ohio  Joint  Conference  Continued 


287 


that  the  pick  operators  could  not  take  the  large  contracts  that 
the  machine  operators  could;  that  their  capital,  their  credit 
and  their  banking  facilities  permitted  the  machine  operators 
to  carry  their  coal  to  fields  that  the  pick  operators  could  not 
reach.  The  foresight  and  energy  of  the  machine  operators 
had  given  them  these  advantages.  But  now  they  found  that 
the  Pennsylvania  operators  were  securing  dock  facilities  at 
the  head  of  the  lakes,  and  they  were  shutting  the  Ohio  oper- 
ators out,  even  there.  He  said  that  they  could  buy  coal  from 
the  Pennsylvania  operators  and  others  and  sell  it  with  a profit, 
but  they  could  not  get  a profit  from  their  own  coal  that  they 
mined  themselves. 

Mr.  Taylor,  of  Straitsville,  spoke  and  said  that  all  the 
miners  wanted  was  the  rights  of  citizenship.  They  would  go 
to  work  at  last  year’s  prices,  but  they  wanted  to  have  their 
hands  loose.  He  said,  “You  operators  say  you  will  not  go  to 
work  without  a contract.  We  say  we  will  not  sign  last  year’s 
contract.  If  I sign  a contract  I want  to  say  that  I will  not 
break  it,  but  I don’t  want  to  sign  a contract  unless  it  is  a 
fair  one.” 

Mr.  John  McBride  said  that,  according  to  speeches  made 
by  some  of  the  operators,  they  had  understood  Secretary  Mc- 
Bryde’s  and  Mr.  Taylor’s  speeches  as  indicating  that  if  a con- 
tract was  made,  that  they  would  break  it  at  will.  He  said 
Secretary  McBryde  did  not  mean  any  such  thing,  nor  did  he 
intend  it  in  that  way.  He  meant  that  if  a contract  was  forced 
upon  any  locality  against  the  protest  of  the  organization,  the 
organization  would  not  consider  itself  bound  by  any  such  con- 
tract. President  McBride  referred  to  several  precedents  for 
the  correctness  of  this  position,  and  Secretary  McBryde 
nodded  assent  to  this  interpretation  of  his  language. 

Mr.  Ratchford  spoke  and  said  that  if  he  understood  Mr. 
Howells  correctly,  to  the  effect  that  the  Massillon  district 
miners  thought  they  were  too  high,  he  wished  to  correct  the 
statement,  as  it  was  not  so. 

Mr.  Howells,  operator,  denied  having  made  the  statement. 

Mr.  McBride  took  up  the  question  of  the  Massillon  district, 
and  said  that  it  by  no  means  followed  that  should  Mr.  Howells 
file  a complaint  that  his  demands  would  be  agreed  to.  He  had 
fought  this  question  for  twenty  years,  and  he  was  pretty 


288 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


familiar  with  it,  and  he  assured  the  convention  that  while  he 
had  listened,  up  to  the  present  without  protest  to  what  Mr. 
Howells  had  said,  he  was  far  from  agreeing  with  him. 

After  a little  more  parleying,  Mr.  McBride  asked  if  the 
miners  agreed  to  sign  last  year’s  scale  and  that  a joint  com- 
mittee be  appointed  to  investigate  the  machine  question,  the 
Jackson  county  question  and  all  other  irregularities  in  the 
state,  and  report  at  their  next  annual  convention,  would  the 
operators  be  willing?  and  upon  Mr.  Chapman  answering  in 
the  negative,  McBride  immediately  moved  that  we  do  now 
adjourn.  The  motion  was  carried,  and  the  convention  broke 
up  without  any  agreement  being  reached. 

Coal  Operator  Howell  was  afterwards  appointed  Consul  at 
Cardiff,  Wales. 

Later — The  following  circular,  which  has  been  sent  out  by 
the  district  executive  board,  explains  itself : 

Columbus,  Ohio,  May  12. 

To  the  Miners  of  Ohio,  Greeting: 

After  the  joint  convention  adjourned  on  Thursday,  the 
miners  held  a meeting,  and  after  a short  discussion  it  was  de- 
cided to  leave  the  matter  of  settling  the  scale  with  the  district 
executive  board,  and  the  following  resolution  was  passed,  and 
left  with  the  board  as  a basis  upon  which  the  settlement 
should  be  made: 

Motion,  that  we  favor  the  signing  of  the  scale,  providing 
that  Jackson  county  and  all  other  operators  are  willing  to 
have  the  investigation  go  on  and  all  their  books  gone  over,  to 
show  actual  cost  of  production  in  all  districts  of  the  state. 

The  executive  board  and  the  operators  met  at  about  3 
o’clock,  and  remained  in  session  until  7 p.  m. 

An  agreement  was  finally  reached  bj^  the  passage  of  the 
following  resolution,  which  is  the  contract  for  the  year : 

“This  agreement,  entered  into  this  11th  day  of  l\Iay,  1893, 
by  and  between  the  mine  operators  and  the  miners  of  Ohio, 
witnesseth.  That  the  scale  of  prices  paid  in  all  parts  of  the 
state  of  Ohio  from  May  1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893,  shall  be  paid 
in  the  several  districts  of  said  state  from  IMay  1,  1893,  to 
May  1,  1894,  and  the  same  conditions  in  the  several  districts 
of  said  state  prevailing  from  May  1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893, 
shall  continue  from  May  1,  1893,  to  May  1,  1894. 

“That  a general  committee  for  the  state,  consisting  of  two 
operators  and  two  miners,  to  co-operate  with  and  be  assisted 
by  local  committees  consisting  of  two  other  operators  and  two 
other  miners  of  each  district,  the  whole  to  constitute  a board 


Ohio  Joint  Conference  Adjourns 


289 


of  investigation,  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  cost  of  pro- 
duction and  other  matters  in  each  district  as  defined  and 
specified  in  this  agreement,  viz. : 

“First — The  cost  of  placing  lump  coal  f.  o.  b.  cars  and  the 
details  of  said  cost. 

“Second — The  wages  paid  to  all  classes  of  day  labor. 

“Third — The  average  earning  capacity  of  men  working  by 
the  ton  for  the  period  of  one  year. 

“Fourth — The  average  earning  per  day  of  the  best  100 
men  in  each  field,  based  on  the  number  of  days  worked  during 
the  year,  designating  room  men  and  entry  men,  10  per  cent 
of  the  100  men  to  be  entry  men,  and  so  designated  and  their 
earnings  to  be  separately  stated. 

“Fifth — The  average  proportion  of  lump  and  small  coal 
made  and  marketed  in  each  district. 

“That  the  period  for  examination  and  inquiry  shall  be  the 
mining  year  from  May  1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893. 

“That  the  committee  herein  provided  shall  conduct  its  in- 
quiry between  June  l,  1893,  and  October  1,  1893,  and  at  the 
close  of  its  investigations  shall  print  a full  and  complete  re- 
port, without  recommendation,  of  the  facts  obtained,  of  which 
copies  shall  be  furnished  to  both  operators  and  miners  of  the 
state. 

“That  the  expenses  of  the  committee  herein  provided  shall 
be  paid,  those  of  the  miners  of  said  committee  by  the  miners 
and  the  expenses  of  the  operators  of  said  committee  by  the 
operators.” 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  set  our  hands  this  11th  day 
of  May,  1893. 

Signed — On  behalf  of  the  miners,  by  John  Nugent,  state 
president;  W.  C.  Pearce,  state  secretary;  John  McBride,  presi- 
dent of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

On  behalf  of  the  operators,  by  J.  S.  Morton,  Thomas  John- 
son, H.  D.  Turney  and  R.  H.  Johnson,  composing  a committee 
for  Hocking  operators;  H.  L.  Chapman,  H.  S.  Willard,  E.  T. 
Jones  and  T.  J.  Morgan,  composing  a committee  for  the  Jack- 
son  operators ; George  Atherton,  of  the  Wheeling  & Lake  Erie 
Company;  J.  E.  Waters,  Pittsburgh  & Wheeling  Coal  Com- 
pany of  Sub-District  6.  Attest : F.  S.  Brooks,  Secretary. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


MACHINE  MEETING. 

AN  EFFORT  MADE  TO  FORM  ONE  DISTRICT  FOR  ALL  THE  MACHINE 
MINERS  IN  THE  STATE. 

Murray,  Ohio,  June  3,  1893. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  10  o’clock  a.  m.,  with  W.  E. 
Farms  in  the  chair.  Roll  called  and  the  following  delegates 
were  present:  James  Hardy,  Raybould  Brothers,  Orbiston; 

Joseph  Evans,  Local  Union  290,  Jobs;  Marion  George,  Bra- 
shears;  George  Shackert,  New  Pittsburg;  H.  A.  Banning,  New 
Pittsburg,  Nos.  8 and  9;  S.  D.  Hannah,  Sand  Run;  W.  H. 
Crawford,  Lost  Run;  Adam  Nash,  Hocking  Valley;  M.  Har- 
rington, Mine  No.  21 ; Daniel  Ogg,  Coalgate.  Minutes  of  the 
last  convention  read  and  approved. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  convention : 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  this  sub-district  be  au- 
thorized to  communicate  with  all  machine  mines  of  Ohio, 
with  the  object  of  forming  one  grand  machine  district  of  the 
state. 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  have  all  resolutions  printed 
and  sent  to  all  locals  covered  by  above  resolution,  and  that 
the  secretary  call  a meeting  at  some  central  point  after  receiv- 
ing returns  from  the  same. 

M.  Harrington,  H.  A.  Banning  and  Joseph  Evans,  the 
auditing  committee,  made  their  report  as  follows:  We  have 

examined  the  books  of  the  secretary-treasurer  and  find  the 
following  to  be  correct:  Receipts,  $97.48;  expenditures, 

$95.36;  balance  in  treasury  June  1,  $2.12. 

Moved,  That  two  men  be  elected  at  this  convention  to  assist 
committee  of  miners  and  operators  in  machine  district,  as  per 
agreement,  in  signing  yearly  scale.  S.  D.  Hannah  and  J.  A. 
Donley  were  declared  elected. 

W.  E.  Farms,  President, 

J.  A.  Donley,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

(290) 


Explanation  Circulae  to  Miners 


291 


CAN’T  AGREE. 


Columbus,  Ohio,  July  12,  1893. 

To  the  Miners  of  Ohio,  Greeting : 

Fellow  Miners — Pursuant  to  the  agreement  made  between 
the  miners  and  operators  of  District  6,  on  May  11,  1893,  one 
clause  of  which  contained  a provision  to  the  effect  that  a gen- 
eral committee  for  the  state,  consisting  of  two  operators  and 
two  miners,  etc.,  investigate  the  cost  of  coal,  wages  paid  to 
all  classes  of  day  labor,  average  earnings,  proportion  of  lump 
to  small  coal,  etc..  President  Nugent  and  M.  Ratchford  of  the 
executive  board,  acting  for  the  miners,  met  J.  S.  Morton  and 
H.  L.  Chapman,  they  acting  for  the  operators,  to  define  a 
method  of  procedure  of  investigation.  This  joint  committee 
failed  to  agree  on  any  method  and  the  committee  acting  for 
the  miners  called  the  undersigned,  your  executive  board,  to 
meet  in  Columbus  on  the  12th  and  13th  instants,  to  take  under 
advisement  the  points  of  disagreement  and  to  meet  with  rep- 
resentatives of  the  operators  for  the  purpose  of  conferring 
with  a view  to  a better  understanding  of  the  object  and  func- 
tions of  the  investigating  committee. 

We  met  in  the  office  of  the  Columbus  & Hocking  Fuel 
Company,  Mr.  H.  L.  Chapman,  R.  H.  Johnson,  H.  D.  Turney, 
J.  S.  Morton,  J.  Slater  and  Mr.  Martin  being  present  in  behalf 
of  the  operators. 


We  regret  to  say  that  we  did  not  succeed  in  agreeing  upon 
the  matter  in  dispute.  The  points  were  as  follows : The  oper- 
ators claimed  that  the  capital  invested  in  all  plants  and  prop- 
erty and  its  depreciation  should  be  made  a very  prominent 
feature  in  the  investigation.  But  a claim  which  seemed  to 
us  to  be  even  more  untenable,  not  to  say  unreasonable,  than 
this,  was  that  we,  or  rather  the  committee,  should  not  be  per- 
mitted to  know  the  selling  price  of  coal,  or  given  any  other 
means  of  knowing  operators’  profits.  It  will  be  obvious  to 
you  that  we  could  not  afford  to  permit  such  a one-sided  in- 
vestigation to  proceed,  and  with  all  due  respect  to  the  other 
side,  we  preferred  to  adjourn  without  agreeing  upon  the  mat- 
ter in  dispute. 

It  is  understood  that  if  at  any  time  intervening  between 
now  and  the  termination  of  the  scale  year,  the  chairman  of 
the  committee  has  reason  for  calling  the  meeting  again  he  is 
empowered  to  do  so. 

John  Nugent, 

James  Pritchard, 

W.  C.  Pearce, 

M.  Ratchford, 


R.  L.  Davis, 

T.  McGough, 

D.  H.  Sullivan, 
D.  J.  Jones. 


292 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


UMPIRE’S  DECISION. 

Washington ville,  0.,  July  28,  1893. 

The  Cannelton  arbitration  question  is  at  last  settled,  and 
in  favor  of  the  miners,  and  while  it  has  taken  considerable 
time  on  the  part  of  myself  and  Vice-President  Pritchard,  yet 
we  are  glad  that  the  decision  has  been  given  in  our  favor  and 
we  hope  that  the  miners  of  Columbiana  county  will  not  forget 
Representative  Joseph  Brittain  for  his  fair  and  impartial  de- 
cision in  this  case.  Below  will  be  found  his  decision. 

D.  H.  Sullivan. 

To  W.  H.  Warner,  James  Pritchard  and  D.  H.  Sullivan: 

Having  had  the  honor  of  acting  as  umpire  in  deciding  a 
disputed  question  of  wages  between  W.  H.  Warner,  on  the 
part  of  the  Sterling  Mining  Company,  and  James  Pritchard 
and  D.  H.  Sullivan,  on  the  part  of  the  miners  employed  by 
said  company  in  mining  coal  at  their  Cannelton,  Pa.,  mines, 
I have  arrived  at  the  following  conclusion  after  four  days’  of 
study  and  investigation. 

There  is  no  question  but  that  the  coal  in  question  is  what 
is  known  in  this  section  as  No.  6 coal  and  varies  but  little  in 
thickness  from  that  being  mined  at  Carbon  Hill  and  other 
mines  in  this  vicinity,  where  the  operators  are  all  paying  82yo 
cents  per  ton,  and  while  there  is  a sharp  competition  for  the 
coal  trade  the  same  is  equally  true  of  all  business,  resulting 
in  close  margins. 

The  Sterling  Mining  Company  claims  to  have  taken  a con- 
tract at  a less  price  than  the  one  which  they  received  last  year. 
I am  also  informed  that  there  was  a general  reduction  made 
to  other  operators  for  this  vicinity  w'hile  they  are  paying  the 
same  price  for  mining  as  they  were,  which  is  10  cents  higher 
for  one  grade  and  5 cents  higher  for  another  grade  than  is 
being  paid  at  Cannelton;  namely,  721/0  cents  and  77^  cents 
per  ton. 

I also  find  officers’  salaries  are  being  paid  at  the  Cannelton 
mines  far  in  excess  of  those  paid  persons  holding  similar  posi- 
tions at  other  works.  I presume,  however,  that  this  is  satis- 
factory to  the  company,  but  it  increases  very  materially  the 
cost  of  production,  especially  in  mines  where  the  tonnage  is 
not  large. 

I am  also  informed  that  the  present  Cannelton  mine  will 
be  abandoned  in  a few  months  and  that  the  remaining  coal 
which  will  be  mined  will  necessitate  but  little  dead  work.  I 
am  also  informed  that  there  is  a well-grounded  impression 
that  when  the  Sterling  company  opens  their  new  works  they 
will  pay  the  price  for  mining  which  there  prevails  for  this 
community,  and  further,  that  the  company,  through  Mr.  W. 


Sixty-Day  Notes  for  Ohio  Miners 


293 


H.  Warner,  last  May,  offered  an  advance  of  2^4  cents  per  ton 
and  50  cents  per  keg  on  powder,  amounting  to  almost  3 cents 
per  ton.  I also  notice  the  price  paid  for  several  kinds  of  work 
at  this  mine  is  much  lower  than  prices  paid  for  similar  work 
at  the  Palestine  mines;  I also  find  that  the  Cannelton  miiie 
produces  a good  quality  of  merchantable  coal. 

In  view  of  all  the  above  statements  and  the  existing  cir- 
cumstances and  in  the  absence  of  any  document  showing  that 
the  state  association  ordered  the  Cannelton  mines  to  resume 
work  at  the  price  paid  during  1892,  therefore,  it  is  my  de- 
cision that  the  Sterling  Mining  Company  shall  pay  to  those 
who  are  now  or  have  been  mining  since  May  1,  1893,  an  ad- 
vance of  5 cents  per  ton  over  prices  paid  during  the  period 
from  May  1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893.  Yours  truly, 

Joseph  Brittain. 

SIXTY-DAY  NOTES. 

To  the  Members  of  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, Greeting: 

Because  of  the  present  financial  condition  of  the  country 
many  of  the  coal  operators  of  Ohio  are  unable  to  meet  their 
obligations  to  miners  and  mine  laborers  and  make  payments 
for  work  performed  upon  regular  pay  days  in  money. 

Many,  if  not  all,  operators  in  this  state  are  good,  honest, 
safe  business  men,  who  have  no  desire  to  take  an  advantage 
of  their  employes,  but  unfavorable  conditions  compel  them  to 
either  secure  the  co-operation  of  their  employes  to  tide  them 
over  the  present  difficulty  or  close  their  mines,  which  would 
mean  to  mine  laborers  idleness  and  suffering. 

Many  mines  are  now  idle  because  operators  can  not  secure 
money  to  pay  their  employes  semi-monthly;  many  more  have 
declared  their  inability  to  pay  upon  regular  pay  days  and 
miners  have  volunteered  to  wait  thirty,  sixty  and  ninety  days 
for  their  wages,  while  others  again  have  propositions  pending 
to  defer  payments  beyond  the  regular  time. 

This  state  of  affairs  necessitated  a meeting  of  your  exec- 
utive board  to  consider  the  situation.  The  board  recognized 
the  deplorable  state  of  affairs  throughout  the  district  and  held 
council  over  a proposition  from  the  operators  of  the  entire 
Hocking  Valley  region,  which  offered  sixty-day  notes  on  each 
regular  pay  day  in  lieu  of  money.  This  proposition  the  board 
rejected  and  then  met  the  operators  in  joint  committee,  when 
the  whole  matter  was  discussed. 

The  operators  afterwards  submitted  the  following  amended 
proposition,  which  the  board  deemed  wise  and  expedient  to 
accept  in  your  behalf : 


294 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Columbus,  0.,  August  8,  1893. 

To  the  State  Executive  Board: 

Gentlemen:  We  amend  our  proposition  made  you  yester- 
day as  follows : We  agree  to  pay  on  the  regular  pay  days,  be- 
ginning August  10,  1893,  for  advances  due  to  our  employes 
in  our  notes  at  sixty  days  from  date  with  interest  at  the  rate 
of  6 per  cent  after  30  days.  These  notes  will  be  made  to  the 
order  of  the  employes  receiving  them  and  will  be  negotiable. 
The  arrangement  proposed  to  continue  in  force  during  the 
stringency  of  the  money  market  and  to  be  terminated  when- 
ever, in  the  judgment  of  the  joint  committee,  it  can  be  done 
with  safety. 

J.  S.  Morton, 

Thos.  Johnson, 

R.  H.  Johnson, 

H.  D.  Turney, 

Committee. 

Accepted  on  behalf  of  the  miners:  John  Nugent,  presi- 
dent; W.  C.  Pearce,  secretary;  Michael  Ratchford,  D.  J.  Jones, 
Thomas  McGough,  D.  H.  Sullivan,  R.  L.  Davis,  members  of 
the  board. 

Concurred  in  by  John  McBride,  president;  P.  McBryde, 
secretary;  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

The  entire  lake  trade  is  conducted  upon  a credit  basis,  and 
coal  sold  for  this  trade  is  paid  for  four  months  after  ship- 
ment. The  operators  shipping  coal  to  the  lake  formerly  paid 
railroad  and  boat  freights  in  time  paper,  but  the  railroad  and 
boats  now  demand  cash  for  coal  tonnage,  and  the  inability 
of  operators  to  comply  with  this  demand  and  at  the  same 
time  pay  the  miners  cash  twice  each  month,  gave  them  the 
choice  of  either  closing  their  mines  or  asking  the  miners  to 
aid  them  in  holding  their  trade. 

You  and  your  families  are  interested  jointly  with  the  oper- 
ators in  keeping  the  mines  at  work. 

The  proposition  of  the  operators,  which  we  have  accepted, 
allows  the  operators  to  run  the  mines,  gives  you  work  and 
does  no  injury  to  anyone  interested  in  the  coal  trade.  The 
promissory  notes  given  by  operators  in  lieu  of  money  will  be 
accepted  by  almost  any  business  man  and  this  gives  to  all 
miners  at  least  a living  during  these  hard  times;  the  semi- 
monthly pay  days  are  not  waived  and  as  soon  as  financial  con- 
ditions improve  your  board  will  see  to  it  that  cash  payments 
are  resumed. 

In  assuming  the  regrettable  responsibility  of  thus  acting 
in  your  name  we  count  on  your  calm  good  judgment  in  accept- 


Sixty-Day  Notes  for  Ohio  Miners 


295 


ing  the  result  as  the  very  best  which,  in  our  judgment,  can 
be  secured  under  present  unfortunate  conditions. 

John  Nugent,  President, 

James  Pritchard,  Vice-President, 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary, 

M.  Ratchford, 

D.  J.  Jones, 

D.  H.  Sullivan, 

R,  L.  Davis, 

Members  Executive  Board. 

Concurred  in  by  John  McBride,  president;  P.  McBryde, 
secretary;  United  Mine  Workers  of  America;  Columbus,  0., 
August  8,  1893. 

The  mine  workers  of  Ohio  were  not  alone  in  their  trouble 
over  the  stringency  of  the  money  market  in  1893.  All  trades 
were  similarly  affected,  because  of  the  lack  of  confidence  that 
prevails  throughout  the  entire  country,  a sample  of  which  fol- 
lows : 

“Another  feature  of  the  money  situation  is  shown  in  the 
following  note  issued  by  the  America  Federation  of  Labor: 

New  York,  August  7,  1893. 

To  Secretaries  of  National,  State,  Local  and  Labor  Unions 

Affiliated  with  the  American  Federation  of  Labor. 

Brothers : The  banks  of  New  York  City  have  issued  notices 
that  they  will  not  be  responsible  for  out-of-town  checks  at 
present,  and  under  these  circumstances  you  will  confer  a favor 
by  making  your  payments  for  per  capita  tax  and  supplies  by 
postoffice  orders,  postal  notes  or  registered  letter  until  confi- 
dence among  the  bankers  is  again  restored. 

A postal  note  to  the  amount  of  $4.99  can  be  procured  at  a 
cost  of  3 cents.  Postoffice  orders  up  to  $10  for  8 cents  and 
registered  letters  at  8 cents  each. 

By  complying  with  the  above  suggestion  you  will  remove 
the  cause  for  a refusal  to  pay  checks  received  that  would  have 
to  be  returned  to  unions  sending  them. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Chris  Evans,  Secretary  A.  F of  L. 

On  August  11,  1893,  a mass  meeting  was  held  at  Jobs,  0., 
in  the  Hocking  Valley  district. 

Miners  were  present  from  Jobs,  New  Pittsburg,  Brashears, 
Murray  City,  Sand  Run,  Carbon  Hill,  Longstreth,  Monday, 
Buchtel  and  Nelsonville. 


296 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  meeting  was  presided  over  by  Isaiah  Hoch,  assisted  by 
John  H.  Taylor.  I.  N.  Coleman  and  C.  H.  Jones  acted  as  sec- 
retaries. 

In  opening  the  meeting  the  chairman  said  the  object  was 
to  consider  the  agreement  made  August  8,  1893,  between  their 
state  and  national  officials  and  the  operators  of  Ohio  on  the 
question  of  accepting  sixty  day  notes  as  payment  for  wages 
due. 

The  meeting  was  very  tumultuous  in  character,  with  a pre- 
vailing sentiment  for  resignations  as  the  order  of  the  day. 

After  an  explanation  by  District  President  John  Nugent, 
in  which  reasons  were  given  for  the  signing  of  the  agreement, 
he  tendered  his  resignation,  as  requested,  to  take  effect  Sep- 
tember 1,  1893. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  miners,  reject  the  agreement  made 
August  8,  1893,  at  Columbus,  0.,  between  the  operators  and 
our  state  and  national  officials. 

Resolved,  That  the  sense  of  this  meeting  is  that  the  state 
officials  and  John  McBride  and  P.  McBryde,  president  and 
secretary  of  the  national,  are  requested  to  resign  their  offices. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  a convention  of  delegates  from  the 
several  mines  at  Athens,  Hocking  and  Perry  counties  to  meet 
at  Shawnee,  0.,  on  August  16,  1893. 

Resolved,  That  the  miners  of  each  mine  do  not  resume 
work  until  they  receive  their  pay  due  them  August  16,  1893, 
but  at  any  time  the  operators  pay  them  their  wages  now  due 
to  resume  work  on  receiving  their  pay. 

Isaiah  Hoch,  Chairman, 

I.  N.  Coleman,  C.  H.  Jones,  Secretaries. 

COLUMBUS  CONVENTION. 

At  11  a.  m.,  August  21,  1893,  the  delegates  representing 
the  Hocking  and  Sunday  Creek  Valleys  met  in  Room  5,  Grand 
Central  Hotel,  Columbus,  0.,  to  consider  the  question  of  the 
acceptance  or  rejection  of  the  agreement  entered  into  on  the 
8th  inst.  between  two  of  the  national  officials  and  the  district 
executive  board,  and  to  take  whatever  steps  they  might  deem 
advisable  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  from  their  con- 
stituents. 


Sixty-Day  Notes  for  Ohio  Miners 


297 


District  President  Nugent  acted  as  chairman  and  W.  C. 
Pearce  as  secretary.  The  following  delegates  were  present: 
Mike  Collins,  Charles  Gibbs,  H.  A.  Panning,  J.  W.  Rowemine, 
George  Wend,  A.  Johnson,  Thos.  Winning,  M.  J.  Grogan,  J.  H. 
Taylor,  W.  Jenkins,  D.  Oldroyd,  R.  Mason,  Ralph  Spooner, 
F.  M.  Snyder,  George  Shackert,  Stephen  Evans,  I.  N.  Coleman, 
Ed  Thomas,  S.  H.  Penrod,  I.  Jones,  Ed  Call,  James  Coulter, 
A.  A.  Adams,  D.  S.  Roberts,  John  Evans,  W.  Clark. 

After  a few  preliminary  remarks  by  a few  of  the  delegates 
a specific  expression  was  made  by  nearly  every  one  present. 
Following  is  a statement  of  the  position  of  the  respective  in- 
structions. Jones — Discretionary  power.  Adams — Money 

only.  Mine  20 — Discretionary  power.  Mine  21,  Mine  8 and 
Mine  19 — To  stand  by  action  of  executive  board.  Sand  Run — 
Two  weeks’  pay  that  is  due  and  the  next  best 
thing.  J.  H.  Taylor — Same  as  Sand  Run. ' M.  Col- 
lins— To  sustain  the  action  of  the  board.  Mine  12 — To  stand 
by  the  board.  Johnson  and  Nelsonville — Must  be  two  weeks’ 
pay  if  possible.  Thomas — No  compromise  unless  paid  for  that 
due.  Wend — Two  weeks’  pay  and  all  other  propositions  to 
be  returned  to  the  miners.  Shawnee — Two  weeks’  pay  and  all 
other  propositions  to  be  taken  back  to  men.  Brashears,  Jobs 
and  Delegates  Coleman  and  Clarke — The  same.  New  Pitts- 
burg— Two  weeks’  pay.  New  Pittsburg,  old  mine — Two 
weeks’  pay. 

Resolved,  That  we  meet  the  operators  at  3 p.  m.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  we  adjourn  to  1 p.  m.  Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Nugent  took  the  chair. 

Resolved,  That  we  have  a full  report  from  the  officials. 

John  McBride — I have  no  report  to  make  unless  to  the 
miners  themselves.  I do  not  propose  to  give  it  to  them  by 
proxy.  P.  McBryde  took  the  same  stand  as  President  Mc- 
Bride, as  also  did  all  the  members  of  the  district  board. 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  our  wages  in  cash  for  the  10th 
of  August. 

Seventeen  delegates  voted  for  the  motion  and  none  against 
it,  hence  the  motion  prevailed. 


298 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


JOINT  MEETING. 

The  operators  then  entered  the  room  and  President  Nugent 
called  the  meeting  to  order.  He  said  the  meeting  is  on  ac- 
count of  the  agreement  being  rejected  by  the  miners  of  the 
three  counties,  Hocking,  Athens  and  Perry,  who  have  refused 
to  accept  notes,  and  their  delegates  are  here  to  meet  the  oper- 
ators and  to  arrange  for  the  re-establishment  of  the  semi- 
monthly pay. 

Messrs.  Morton  Turner  and  Thomas  Johnson,  for  the 
operators,  explained  their  side  of  the  situation  in  turn,  and  the 
discussion  that  followed  covered  pages  pro  and  con  between 
miners:  Alexander  Johnson,  John  H.  Taylor,  Ed.  Call,  A.  A. 
Adams,  Michael  Ratchford,  M.  Collins,  Edmund  Thomas,  I.  N. 
Coleman,  District  President  John  Nugent,  National  President 
John  McBride,  Secretary  Patrick  McBryde  and  the  operators; 
the  all  important  question  being  how  to  get  cash  for  work  done 
instead  of  60-day  notes  that  in  many  instances  were  referred 
to  as  being  unworthy  the  recognition  of  bankers  and  often 
refused  by  provision  stores  in  the  mining  towns. 

The  miners  argued  how  essential  it  was  to  have  cash  in 
order  to  meet  payments  due  to  building  and  loan  associations 
through  which  numbers  of  miners  were  struggling  hard  to 
have  a little  home  of  their  own,  but,  failing  to  pay  cash  as 
agreed  to,  the  mortgage  on  them  would  be  foreclosed.  The 
question  was  also  asked  by  the  miners  as  to  how  they  were  to 
pay  their  membership  dues  to  the  union  and  beneficial  societies 
to  which  they  belonged.  The  operators’  reply  was  to  the  effect 
that  while  no  special  rule  could  be  made  to  govern  these  cases, 
yet  they  did  not  anticipate  that  any  operator  would  be  so  rigid 
as  not  to  help  a worthy  man  out  in  cases  of  that  kind. 

A statement  was  made  by  operator  Johnson  of  the  New 
Pittsburg  Coal  Company  in  which  he  said  he  had  $94,000 
worth  of  the  best  and  safest  security  to  be  had  anywhere,  but 
that  he  could  not  get  a dollar  on  it  in  the  banks.  Under  these 
circumstances,  the  miners  asked  if  it  were  not  possible  to  get 
certified  checks  instead  of  those  notes,  to  which  operator 
Morton  replied  “that  the  certified  check  plan  could  not  be 
utilized  except  in  cities  where  the  banks  were  organized  and 
had  the  clearing  house  machinery  in  full  operation.”  Pay- 


Sixty-Day  Notes  for  Ohio  Miners 


299 


merits  for  amounts  in  cash  less  than  $5  were  also  asked  for 
without  receiving  a satisfactory  response  from  the  operators 
after  which  the  joint  meeting  adjourned. 

TUESDAY  MORNING  SESSION 

President  Nugent  called  the  convention  to  order. 

National  President  McBride  addressed  the  convention  in 
a very  calm,  conservative  resume  of  the  situation  of  the 
country,  and  especially  of  the  mining  craft,  and  showed  why 
the  executive  board  had  agreed  with  the  operators  on  the  60- 
day  paper.  It  is  only  just  to  say  that  no  sophistry  was  re- 
sorted to  by  him.  He  simply  stated  facts  that  were  patent  to 
almost  everybody,  but  presented  them  in  such  a way  that  no 
one  could  fail  to  realize  the  force  of  them. 

Other  speeches  were  made  by  Board  Member  Ratchford  in 
justification  of  their  action,  followed  by  several  delegates, 
after  which  a more  friendly  feeling  was  displayed.  A com- 
mittee consisting  of  A.  A.  Adams,  Alexander  Johnson,  William 
Jenkins,  Ed  Call,  F.  M.  Snyder  and  D.  S.  Roberts,  were  ap- 
pointed to  draft  a resolution  for  presentation  to  the  operators, 
the  same  to  be  ratified  by  the  miners.  The  report  of  the  com- 
mittee follows : 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  that  121/2  cent  of  the 
money  due  each  pay  day  be  paid  in  cash,  but  the  amount  of 
cash  in  no  case  to  exceed  $5  at  one  pay;  the  rest  in  denomi- 
national notes,  and  wherever  any  trouble  arises  in  negotiating 
the  notes  it  shall  be  compulsory  on  the  part  of  the  operators 
to  arrange  for  their  negotiability,  or  otherwise  provide  for  the 
payment  of  the  men  in  satisfactory  paper  or  currency ; other- 
wise the  employes  will  violate  no  agreement  in  not  working 
for  notes  not  good.  The  notes  to  be  given  by  the  operators  to 
be  sixty-day  notes;  the  time  that  this  agreement  shall  last  to 
be  determined  by  our  executive  board. 

Moved,  That  the  executive  board  meet  the  operators  and 
present  the  proposition.  Carried. 

The  convention  adjourned  to  1 p.  m.,  and  in  the  meantime 
the  executive  board  were  to  meet  the  operators  in  the  Hocking 
Valley  Company’s  office. 


300 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


WEDNESDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

The  executive  board  read  a report  from  the  operators, 
which  declined  to  concede  anything  more  than  that  offered  to 
the  executive  board,  except  to  give  the  notes  in  $5  denomina- 
tions. The  report  stated  that  they  did  not  expect  anyone  to 
accept  paper  that  was  not  exchangeable. 

After  a long  discussion  it  was  Resolved,  That  we  recom- 
mend nothing,  but  that  we  go  home  and  call  local  meetings  and 
then  call  a convention  at  Shawnee,  on  Saturday  at  9 a.  m. 

Carried.  Meeting  adjourned. 

SHAWNEE  CONVENTION. 

Shawnee,  Ohio,  August  26,  1893. 

The  delegate  convention  of  the  counties  of  Hocking,  Athens 
and  Perry  met  on  Saturday,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution 
passed  at  Columbus  on  the  23d  inst.,  to  take  steps  regarding 
the  matter  of  payment  of  wages,  which  was  left  open  by  the 
rescinding  of  the  sixty-day  agreement  by  the  board. 

President  Nugent  took  the  chair  and  Secretary  Pearce 
acted  as  secretary. 

The  chair  stated  the  object  of  the  convention  and  invited 
suggestions  as  to  what  should  be  done. 

Resolved,  That  each  delegate  report  his  instructions. 

The  delegates  having  reported,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  convention  appoint  a committee  of 
three  to  draft  a resolution  and  bring  it  before  the  convention. 

Committee — J.  H.  Taylor,  C.  Gibbs,  I.  N.  Coleman,  and 
J.  M.  Thompson. 

The  committee  reported  the  following,  which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  each  and  every  mine  in  the  three  counties 
agree  on  such  terms  most  agreeable  between  themselves  and 
their  respective  operators,  but  in  no  case  notes  to  exceed 
sixty  days  from  the  date  of  their  issue,  said  terms  to  exist 
until  such  time  as,  in  the  judgment  of  our  executive  board, 
the  condition  of  the  money  market  will  justify  them  in  re- 
suming semi-monthly  pay  in  currency. 

John  Nugent,  President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 


301 


Second  Audit  for  District  6,  1893 

AUDIT  DISTRICT  NUMBER  6,  1893. 

After  much  controversy  through  the  United  Mine  Workers 
Journal  between  state  auditors  R.  L.  Davis  and  Thomas  Mc- 
Gough  as  to  their  findings  when  auditing  the  books  of  Secre- 
tary W.  C.  Pearce  for  the  six  months  ending  October  1,  1893, 
the  district  executive  board  made  another  audit  of  receipts 
and  expenses  together  with  suggestions  for  constitutional 
changes  that  would  be  more  explicit  and  duties  more  clearly 
defined.  Their  report  follows : 

Columbus,  Ohio,  December  7,  1893. 

We,  as  members  of  the  executive  board,  have  gone  over 
the  books  of  Secretary-Treasurer  Pearce  and  find  them  as  fol- 
lows : 

Receipts. 


Balance  on  hand  April  1 $2,219.64 

April ■ .384.95 

May  000.31 

June  656.89 

July  548.50 

August  231.15 

September  293.80 


Total  $4,935.24 


Expenditures. 


April  $758.79 

May  1,056.58 

June  698.04 

July  597.31 

August  368.87 

September  845.62 


Total  $4,325.21 

Total  receipts $4,935.24 

Total  expenses  4,325.21 


Balance  on  hand  October  1,  1893 610.03 


R.  L.  Davis. 

D.  H.  Sullivan. 
T.  McGough. 

D.  J.  Jones. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SPECIAL  SESSION  OF  DISTRICT  NUMBER  6. 


Columbus,  Ohio,  January  9,  1894. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Nugent 
at  10  a.  m.,  W.  C.  Pearce  acting  as  secretary.  The  following 
were  appointed  a committee  on  credentials: 

D.  Moylan,  E.  E.  Burley,  W.  L.  Davis,  W.  H.  Crawford, 
Joseph  Gray,  F.  Christian,  Ed  Thomas,  S.  Glasgow. 

The  committee  reported  the  following  delegates:  Arthur 
Morgan,  S.  Glasgow,  William  E.  Williams,  Joseph  M.  Donahue, 
William  Tannahill,  T.  R.  Jones,  Albert  L.  Lucas,  F.  Matheny, 
Alexander  Aikens,  R.  J.  Jones,  Michael  Welch,  Thomas  Miller, 
Thomas  Winning,  F.  M.  Tollett,  Wally  Phillips,  Thomas  L. 
Lewis,  Orrin  Kelly,  Joseph  B.  Dean,  A.  A.  Adams,  Jonathan 
Todd,  Thomas  McGough,  Brad  Jones,  J.  Gray,  J.  J.  Eddy, 
Peter  Fealty,  M.  F.  Moran,  John  Philipson,  L.  Wright,  John 
Fahy,  Thomas  Prichard,  S.  Gleghorn,  Thomas  E.  Davis,  Alex 
Johnson,  Frank  Collard,  Edmond  Thomas,  Joseph  Forsbach, 
Samuel  P.  Stephens,  W.  H.  Crawford,  Isaac  McGee,  John 
Ponn,  Fred  Dilcher,  Sam  Conrad,  S.  S.  Cross,  William  Has- 
kins, Frank  Burns,  D.  T.  Souders,  F.  Weymuller,  D.  E.  Evans, 
T.  B.  Angle,  J.  B.  Hutchinson,  Frank  Christian,  John  Joseph, 
Andrew  Stephenson,  H.  T.  Blake,  W.  L.  Davis,  Thomas  Work- 
man, Samuel  Wilson,  Asa  Robinson,  William  Gregory,  H.  A. 
Banning,  W.  E.  Clark,  E.  R.  Nanna,  James  Biddle,  Evan  Wil- 
liams, J.  H.  Spence,  Henry  Mullen,  E.  E.  Burley,  Dennis  Moy- 
lan, William  Hillier,  M.  J.  Beatty,  R.  L.  Davis,  W.  H.  Lewis, 
J.  W.  Grinstead,  Wood  Gallagher. 

Motion,  That  the  report  of  committee  be  accepted. 
Adopted. 

Motion,  That  Brother  Ed  Thomas  represent  Hamley  Run 
by  proxy.  Adopted. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings  John  McBride,  P.  H. 
Penna  and  P.  McBryde  of  the  national  union,  entered  the 
hall. 

Motion,  That  all  sessions  of  this  convention  be  held  as 
executive  sessions.  Adopted.  Adjourned  for  dinner. 

(302) 


Ohio  Special  Convention,  January,  1894 


303 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Nugent  delivered  the  following  address; 

Fellow-Miners — This  is  a special  session,  and  as  such  needs 
but  a short  address  by  me.  When  your  executive  board  met 
last  month,  among  the  things  considered  by  them  was  the  de- 
plorable condition  of  our  constituents  on  account  of  the  scar- 
city of  work.  We  attempted  to  find  the  cause  of  this,  and 
were  convinced  that  not  only  was  the  general  depression  in 
financial  and  industrial  circles  throughout  the  country  re- 
sponsible, but  that  the  almost  incredible  reductions  in  the 
Pittsburg  district,  and  consequent  invasion  of  our  markets 
were  accountable  in  a large  measure.  At  best,  activity  was  not 
to  be  expected,  but  when  that  portion  of  our  trade  which  fell  to 
us  as  our  legitimate  share  was  going,  by  the  unparalleled  ac- 
tion of  the  Pittsburg  men,  and  the  continued  descent  being 
made  by  them,  which  had  started  at  79  cents — the  regular 
scale  of  that  district — to,  in  some  places,  53  cents,  and  which 
threatened  us  still  more  and  more,  we  deemed  it  right  that 
we  call  the  miners  of  Ohio  together,  through  their  delegates, 
for  the  purpose  of  consultation  over  this  very  serious  state 
of  affairs. 

I desire  to  say  in  behalf  of  the  board  that  we  had  assur- 
ances from  the  operators — especially  the  Hocking  Valley — 
that  there  would  be  no  attempt  made  by  them  to  violate  the 
scale  of  prices,  until  the  1st  of  May,  but  while  this  is  true,  I 
must  not  neglect  to  say  that  their  assurance,  given  in  very 
emphatic  terms,  was  that  when  the  present  scale  year  was 
over,  they  would  enter  into  no  contract  or  agreement  except 
upon  the  same  terms  as  their  competitors. 

In  view  of  this  fact  we  concluded  that  preparations  of 
either  one  kind  or  another  should  be  made. 

We  had  a vague  idea  that  perhaps  the  united  wisdom  of 
the  miners  of  the  state  might  evolve  some  plan  by  which  our 
fellow-craftsmen  of  Pennsylvania  would  stop  their  suicidal 
and  murderous  policy;  or  at  least,  that  if  they  could  not  be 
prevailed  upon  to  do  so,  whether  we  could  not,  acting  as  an 
organized  and  united  body  of  men,  do  something  in  the  way 
of  self-preservation.  In  the  meantime,  however,  I have  had 
a surprise  added  to  those  already  given  by  the  action  of  the 
Pittsburg  men.  On  my  arrival  home  from  Pittsburg,  where 
I had  taken  it  upon  myself  to  go,  to  assist  the  national  officers. 
I was  astounded  to  find  that  the  Ohio  operators  had  changed 
their  minds,  and  a demand  from  them  of  a reduction  in  wages 
was  presented  to  me,  to  take  effect  on  the  15th  of  the  present 
month.  I am  not  prepared  to  say  what  influenced  them,  after 
giving  us  the  assurances  they  did  only  a month  ago  that  no 


304 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


change  would  be  sought  by  them,  in  now  meeting  us  with 
this  request.  Their  demand  is  as  follows : 

“Columbus,  Ohio,  December  27,  1893. 
“John  Nugent,  Esq.,  President. 

“Dear  Sir:  We  are  advised  that  while  the  65  cents  is  now 
the  maximum  price  in  the  western  Pennsylvania  district, 
many  of  the  operators  are  paying  much  less;  some  60  cents, 
others  53  cents,  and  still  others  as  low  as  40  cents  for  li/^-inch 
coal,  and  this  coal  is  forcing  its  way  into  our  markets  and 
taking  our  trade;  and  it  is  evident  that  we  must  either  have 
immediate  relief,  or  our  business  will  continue  to  drift  away 
to  other  districts  and  more  of  our  mines  be  compelled  to  close 
down.  To  afford  us  the  necessary  protection,  we  must  be 
placed  on  a competitive  basis  not  later  than  January  15. 

“We  greatly  regret  that  the  conditions  exist  which  compel 
a reduction  in  price  of  mining,  but  it  would  be  folly  to  longer 
ignore  the  fact  that  they  do  exist,  and  that  we  must  meet 
competition  or  lose  a large  volume  of  business  which  it  will 
be  very  difficult  to  recover. 

“Respectfully, 

“Thomas  Johnson, 

“R.  H.  Johnson, 

“H.  D.  Turney, 

“J.  S.  Morton, 

“Committee.” 

Besides  the  foregoing  demand  we  have  received  notice  of 
a reduction  from  several  operators  in  the  Bellaire  and  Saline- 
ville  districts  of  from  10  to  15  cents  a ton,  protestations 
against  which  have  been  made  both  by  us  and  the  miners  of 
those  districts.  Some  of  the  miners  there  are  working  and 
some  are  idle  pending  the  action  of  this  convention. 

The  agitation  carried  on  by  Secretary  McBryde  and  J.  A. 
Crawford,  assisted  by  the  Pittsburg  officials,  has  been  fairly 
satisfactory,  advancing  the  wages  from  38,  53  and  55  cents 
to  65  cents  per  ton.  This,  however,  leaves  the  Pittsburg 
district,  even  where  they  are  receiving  65  cents,  14  cents 
below  their  proper  scale  of  prices.  What  further  success  the 
national  officials  expect  I am  not  able  to  say,  but  we  will  per- 
haps have  an  opportunity  of  hearing  their  views  on  the 
situation  before  we  adjourn. 

I trust  that  the  best  intelligence  of  this  body  will  be  exer- 
cised in  behalf  of  harmony  and  good  feeling,  for  whatever 
may  be  accomplished,  in  this  way  we  can  rest  assured  that 
without  it  very  little  is  possible.  I assure  you  that  any  dufv’ 
imposed  upon  me  in  the  exercise  of  your  good  judgment 
looking  towards  the  amelioration  of  our  common  craft  will 


Ohio  Special  Convention,  January,  1894 


305 


be  freely  and  cheerfully  fulfilled  by  your  humble  servant. 

John  Nugent. 

Motion,  that  the  roll  be  called  and  each  delegate  give  his 
report.  Adopted. 

On  a roll  call  being  made,  the  feeling  expressed  through 
the  delegates  was  almost  unanimous  against  any  reduction 
on  the  prices  being  paid. 

The  report  of  the  delegates  having  been  completed  a motion 
was  adopted  to  hear  from  the  national  officers. 

Secretary  McBryde  spoke  at  some  length  and  entered  into 
the  cause  leading  up  to  the  unsatisfactory  condition  of  af- 
fairs in  the  Pittsburg  district.  He  reported  the  work  done 
by  himself.  Brothers  Crawford  and  Nugent  and  the  district 
officers,  and  said  they  had  had  much  success  the  first  week 
of  their  labors  in  the  river  district,  but  that  the  railroad  mines 
were  as  yet  a stumbling  block  in  the  way  of  uniformity. 

President  McBride  next  spoke,  and  in  a very  exhaustive 
speech  reviewed  the  whole  field  as  affecting  the  State  of  Ohio. 
He  was  very  plain  and  unambiguous  in  his  language,  and 
clearly  impressed  the  convention  that  his  idea  of  betterment 
of  the  situation  was  for  the  Ohio  men  to  meet  their  undoubt- 
edly unapproachable  competitors  by  placing  themselves  in 
such  a position  as  to  leave  the  original  differential  of  9 cents 
between  themselves  and  the  Pittsburg  men.  Whether  this 
was  done  or  not  (and  h'e  didn’t  want  them  to  be  governed  by 
his  words)  it  was  inevitable  that  under  present  circumstances 
there  would  be  a reduction  in  Ohio.  His  arguments  were 
evidently  received  in  no  quibbling  spirit  by  the  majority  of  the 
delegates,  but  were  only  too  fully  realized  and  appreciated 
by  them.  It  was  evident,  however,  that  they  were  not  fully 
persuaded  of  the  fullness  of  the  suggested  remedy. 

A motion  to  meet  the  operators  was  made  and  carried. 

Motion  that  we  meet  at  9 a.  m.  carried  and  convention  ad- 
journed. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

President  Nugent  called  the  convention  to  order,  and 
stated  that  Messrs.  Morton,  Johnston,  Turney  and  Johnson, 
the  Hocking  Valley  operators’  committee,  were  present  and 
prepared  to  make  a statement  to  the  convention. 


306 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Mr.  Morton  was  introduced  and  said  in  part:  In  early 

December  they  had  met  the  miners’  executive  board,  and  con- 
ferred with  them  to  ascertain  what  the  situation  was  at  that 
time,  and  to  get  their  (the  operators’)  voice  on  the  matter. 
They  had  agreed,  notwithstanding  many  of  the  miners  were 
willing  to  go  lower  than  the  price  agreed  upon,  not  to  accept 
their  offer. 

They  believed  at  that  time  that  if  lower  prices  were 
accepted  it  would  have  a bad  effect.  He  said  they  would  rather 
pay  70  cents  a ton  if  it  were  possible  to  do  so.  He  thought 
this  movement  of  reducing  wages  was  a disadvantage  to 
everybody  concerned,  miner  and  employer  alike.  It  was  plain 
that  if  a man  was  getting  $15  and  he  was  reduced  to  $10  there 
was  $5  less  in  circulation,  and  just  that  much  less  to  pay  to 
manufacturers  for  the  goods  they  manufacture  and  conse- 
quently less  call  for  coal  to  run  those  manufactories.  It  was 
well  known  that  Pittsburg  coal  is  65  cents  instead  of  79,  and 
the  larger  portion  of  them  60  cents,  and  had  information  that 
at  one  place  the  miners  had  gone  down  to  14.  of  a cent  a bushel 
below  that  at  Floersheim’s  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio.  Some 
of  those  places  where  it  had  been  tried  to  bring  up  have  gone 
back  at  a lower  price. 

In  order  to  be  fully  informed  and  prepared,  he  said  the 
operators  had  sent  a committee  of  their  own  into  the  Pitts- 
burg field  to  investigate  the  conditions  there  and  they  had 
gathered  statistics  which  he  would  read.  These  aTe  as  fol- 
lows: 

Columbus,  Ohio,  January  10,  1894. 
John  Nugent,  Esq.,  President  Miners’  Union,  State  of  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  miners 

this  morning  for  a statement  of  the  prices  paid  in  the  Pitts- 
burg coal  fields  that  are  competitive  with  ours,  we  herewith 
append  the  following : 

The  committee  that  made  the  investigation  state  that  the 
Youghiogheny  River  Gas  Coal  Company,  Robbins,  Taylor, 
Pacific  and  Scott  Haven  miners  are  paid  65  cents ; Ella  Coal 
Company,  Youghiogheny  Gas  Coal  Company,  Moon’s  Coal 
Company,  are  also  paying  65  cents;  Osborn,  Sager  Company, 
Morgan,  Moore  and  Bane  are  paying  50  cents;  Port  Royal 
are  paying  45  cents;  Watson  Coal  Company,  Alexander  Black 
Coal  Company  and  mines  on  the  Wheeling  division  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  are  paying  60  cents;  New  York 


Ohio  Special  Convention,  January,  1894 


307 


and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company  are  paying  59  cents;  Char- 
leroi Coal  Company,  Blythe  Coal  Company,  Stockdale  Com- 
pany, Allen  Coal  Company  and  California  Coal  Company  are 
paying  53  cents;  Fidelity  Coal  Company  is  paying  43  cents. 
The  Third  Pool  miners,  numbering  about  5,000  men  and  27 
operators,  have  recently  accepted  59  cents;  thus  making  the 
majority  of  the  miners  and  operators  operating  on  a basis 
of  60  cents  and  less. 

The  Port  Royal  Coal  Company  are  paying  26  cents  for 
loading  and  drilling  coal  after  the  machines  in  rooms,  and 
in  entries  they  pay  37  cents.  This  includes  taking  down  draw 
slate  and  ditching  the  entries.  James  W.  Ellsworth  and 
Company,  the  Youghiogheny  Gas  Coal  Company  and  the  Ella 
Coal  Company  are  paying  30  cents  for  loading  and  drilling 
after  the  machines  in  rooms,  and  in  entries  they  are  paying 
44  cents  for  loading  and  drilling.  This  includes  taking  down 
draw  slate  and  ditching  the  entries.  W.  P.  Rend  is  paying 
321/2  cents  for  loading  and  drilling  in  rooms  after  the  machines 
and  321/2  cents  in  entries.  He  pays  in  addition  to  the  32i/2 
cents  in  entries,  70  cents  per  yard.  This  70  cents  is  divided, 
the  loader  getting  32yo  cents  and  the  cutter  371/2  cents  per 
yard. 

Break-throughs  in  entries  paid  the  same  as  entries.  Break- 
throughs between  rooms  nothing  extra,  and  nothing  is  paid 
for  opening  rooms.  In  machine  mines  $1.50  is  paid  in  two 
instances,  and  $1  in  two  instances,  to  pick  men  for  making  a 
cut  of  sufficient  depth  to  enable  the  machines  to  get  to  work 
in  the  necks  of  the  rooms.  There  is  nothing  paid  for  room 
turning  in  either  machine  or  pick  mines.  Entry  work  in  pick 
mines  runs  from  75  cents  to  85  cents  per  yard. 

The  Youghiogheny  River  Gas  Coal  Company,  Robbins, 
Taylor,  Pacific  and  Scott  Haven  mines  pay  30  cents  for  break- 
throughs and  entries ; Moons  Run  Coal  Company  pays  45  cents 
for  break-throughs  in  entries;  New  York  and  Cleveland  Gas 
Coal  Company  pays  40  cents  for  break-throughs  in  entries. 
Nothing  extra  is  paid  by  any  of  the  others. 

Drivers  are  paid  from  $1.35  to  $1.90,  the  average  probably 
being  about  $1.75. 

The  committee  state  that  it  requires  a superior  class  of 
men  to  do  this  work  in  these  mines  on  account  of  the  greater 
difficulties  encountered.  Therefore  the  reason  for  the  ap- 
parent good  wages  they  receive.  Trappers  receive  from  50  to 
75  cents  per  day.  Track  men  from  $1.35  to  $2.00  per  day; 
inside  labor  from  $1.35  to  $1.90  per  day;  dumpers  from  $1.25 
to  $1.50  per  day;  trimmers  from  $1.25  to  $1.55  per  day; 
blacksmiths  from  $1.75  to  $2.75  per  day;  general  outside 
labor  from  $1.20  to  $1.50  per  day.  Cutting  by  the  Jeffrey 


308 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


machines  is  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  8 cents  in  rooms,  and  11 
cents  in  entries  at  three  mines  and  in  the  Port  Royal  mine 
it  is  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  7 cents  in  rooms  and  10  cents  in 
entries.  At  Mr.  Rend’s  mine  he  pays  13  cents  in  rooms  and 
13  cents  in  entries  for  cutting  by  the  Harrison  m.achines,  the 
compensation  being  equalized  in  entries  as  above. 

The  committee  also  state  that  the  rooms  are  21  feet  wide 
and  that  the  cutters  cannot  make  more  than  half  the  coal  per 
day  that  they  do  in  the  Hocking  Valley. 

The  firemen  at  all  of  the  mines  with  one  exception  receive 
$1.35  per  day.  Ten  hours  constitute  a day’s  work  and  no  half 
holidays  on  Saturdays.  This  gives  the  Pittsburg  fields  10  per 
cent  over  the  Hocking  Valley  in  the  cost  of  day  labor. 

We  respectfully  submit  that  all  these  matters  be  taken  into 
due  consideration  in  fixing  a competitive  basis  for  us  to  work 
upon.  No  half-way  or  compromise  measures  should  be  in- 
dulged in,  as  it  will  take  low  prices,  hard  work  and  full  hours 
to  enable  us  to  regain  our  lost  trade.  Early  action  should 
be  taken. 

Yours  very  truly, 

H.  D.  Turney, 

R.  H.  Johnson, 

Thomas  Johnson, 

J.  S.  Morton, 

I Committee. 

After  Mr.  Morton  had  finished  reading  the  foregoing 
statement,  he  reviewed  in  a more  detailed  way  the  effect  on 
particular  markets  of  the  Pittsburg  coal.  Mr.  Turney  and 
T.  H.  Johnson  of  the  Hocking  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  spoke 
in  a similar  strain. 

After  a number  of  questions  by  various  delegates  had  been 
answered  by  the  operators  they  retired. 

A committee  on  resolutions  was  appointed  as  follows: 
William  Haskins,  Dennis  Moylan,  W.  L.  Davis,  W.  Phillips, 
W.  Tannahill,  Jonathan  Todd,  Fred  Dilcher,  Ed  Thomas,  H. 
Lewis,  A.  A.  Adams,  A.  L.  Lucas,  John  Philipson,  J.  J.  Eddy, 
Thomas  Miller,  W.  E.  Clark. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  chair  declared  the  first  thing  before  this  convention 
was  the  report  of  the  committee  on  resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  recommend  that  we  meet 
Pennsylvania  with  competitive  prices. 


Ohio  Miners’  Convention,  February,  1894 


309 


Discussion  was  again  continued  in  which  a great  number 
of  delegates  participated.  A motion  to  adjourn  till  9 a.  m. 
was  adopted. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 


Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates,  submit  the  following  to 
our  constituents,  viz..  Are  you  in  favor  of  holding  present 
rates  or  do  you  favor  the  maintenance  of  9 cent  differential 
between  us  and  Pennsylvania?  The  result  to  be  returned  not 
later  than  the  20th  to  Secretary  Pearce,  Corning,  Ohio,  and 
one  miner  from  each  sub-district  be  selected  to  find  and  re- 
turn results  and  act  accordingly. 

The  following  delegates  were  chosen  to  represent  the  re- 
spective sub-districts : 


Sub-District  No.  1,  Ed  Thomas,  Nelsonville,  Ohio. 


Sub-District  No. 
Sub-District  No. 


Sub-District  No.  6, 
Sub-District  No.  7, 
Sub-District  No.  8, 
Sub-District  No.  9, 


2,  J.  J.  Eddy,  Shawnee. 

3,  Henry  Mullen,  North  Lawrence. 
Sub-District  No.  4,  W.  L.  Davis,  Dell  Roy. 

Sub-District  No.  5,  H.  T.  Blake,  Philo. 

Thomas  Miller,  Bellaire. 

E.  E.  Burley,  Wellston. 

Michael  Welch,  Corning. 

A.  A.  Adams,  Jacksonville. 
Sub-District  No.  10,  J.  Donahue,  Buffalo. 

Machine  district — Fred  Dilcher,  Buchtel. 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  of  the  delegates  be  paid  from 
the  district  treasury.  Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  this  and  other  similar  cases  be  referred  to 
the  executive  board.  Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  we  adjourn  sine  die. 

John  Nugent,  President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 


OHIO  STATE  CONVENTION. 

On  February  9,  1894,  the  Ohio  miners  held  a state  conven- 
tion at  Columbus,  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  de- 
pressed condition  of  the  coal  trade  and  advisability  of  holding 
a joint  meeting  with  coal  operators  to  consider  the  reduced 
prices  proposed  by  them  on  prevailing  scale  rates. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  John  Nugent,  dis- 
trict president,  with  W.  C.  Pearce  acting  as  secretary. 


310 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  following  delegates  were  reported  entitled  to  seats  by 
the  committee  on  credentials:  Elmer  Lewis,  Frank  Gitter, 

John  Fahy,  Ed  Thomas,  John  Stitt,  John  Lenox,  Alex  John- 
son, T.  J.  Healy,  Frank  McCraner,  John  Blower,  George  Gully, 
Joseph  Sanderson,  Fred  Weymuller,  G.  L.  Steinrod,  J.  E. 
Mason,  J.  W.  McDaniel,  S.  H.  Penrod,  W.  H.  Crawford,  F. 
Christian,  Ed  Call,  J.  H.  Taylor,  John  Maruney,  James  Mur- 
ray, W.  Wells,  J.  Mclnerny,  J.  Romine,  J.  J.  Eddy,  George 
Scott,  R.  L.  Davis,  Moore,  Thomas  McGough,  G.  A.  McMillen, 

C.  H.  Smith,  R.  Delbridge,  George  Williams,  J.  R.  Hard- 
grave,  J.  Todd,  D.  J.  Herbest,  Harvey  Phelps,  Thomas  Mc- 
Cray, William  Swires,  W.  C.  Brown,  William  Green,  Ed 
James,  Sam  Hanley,  H.  A.  Banning,  L.  Wright,  T.  J.  Martin, 
A.  J.  Carr,  Nat  Skiles,  C.  Vicker,  C.  Gibbs,  Levi  Nutter,  A. 
Anderson,  I.  W.  France,  T.  E.  Davis,  Even  Williams,  Paul 
Coleman,  James  Born,  John  Ready,  S.  S.  Gross,  M.  N.  Scott, 

D.  C.  Jones,  and  Louis  Hiber. 

After  the  report  had  been  received  and  acted  upon,  the 
necessary  committees  were  appointed  and  the  convention  got 
down  to  business  in  a way  that  was  commendable,  taking  into 
consideration  the  gloomy  aspect  of  affairs  that  confronted 
the  delegates  present.  Each  delegate  expressed  the  views  of 
his  constituents  and  while  the  general  feeling  was  inclined 
to  meet  the  situation  and  grant  a very  liberal  reduction  on 
existing  wages,  the  miners  were  not  prepared  to  concede  what 
they  considered  exorbitant  demands  made  by  the  operators. 
After  three  days’  deliberation  on  the  part  of  the  miners,  in- 
cluding Sunday,  and  a continuation  of  the  controversy  between 
operators  J.  H.  Morton,  R.  A.  Johnson,  W.  S.  Courtwright, 
Thomas  Johnson  and  H.  D.  Turney  and  the  miners  Monday 
and  Tuesday,  District  President  Nugent  read  the  following 
ultimatum : 

Resolved,  That  we  select  a committee  to  draft  resolutions 
to  be  presented  to  the  operators  as  our  ultimatum,  who  form- 
ulated the  following  which  was  adopted  and  handed  to  the 
operators  by  another  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose ; 

Whereas,  We,  the  representatives  of  the  Hocking  Valley 
miners,  having  agreed  to  accept  a reduction  of  20  cents  per 
ton  in  the  price  of  pick  mining,  and  a corresponding  reduction 


Ohio  Joint  Wage  Scales  Presented 


311 


(according  to  agreements  existing  between  operators  and 
miners)  in  day  labor,  entry  work  and  break-throughs,  and 

Whereas,  We  also  agreed  to  accept  a reduction  in  all 
branches  of  machine  mining,  corresponding  with  the  reduc- 
tion in  pick  mining,  and  in  line  with  joint  agreements  be- 
tween machine  miners  and  operators,  and. 

Whereas,  The  operators  have  refused  to  accept  the  reduc- 
tions named,  and  deliberately  ignored  contracts  between  them 
and  their  employes,  while  insisting  upon  greater  concessions 
from  them, 

1.  Resolved,  That  in  the  event  of  operators  refusing  to 
pay  for  work  performed  in  machine  and  pick  mines,  according 
to  the  reduced  schedule  of  prices  presented  by  us,  we  declare 
that  all  contracts  between  miners  and  operators  of  the  Hock- 
ing Valley,  covering  all  branches  of  mine  labor,  are  hereby 
abrogated  and  we  hold  ourselves  ready  to  work  upon  such 
terms  as  we  are  able  to  enforce  from  time  to  time. 

2.  Resolved,  That  all  mines  are  free  to  resume  work,  on 
and  after  the  16th,  upon  the  schedule  of  prices  adopted  by  us. 

The  following  is  the  schedule  of  prices  approved  by  us  for 
machine  and  pick  mine  work : 


Pick  Mining. 


Pick  mining,  screened  coal  per  ton 

Pick  mining,  run  of  mine  per  ton 

Room  turning 

Break-throughs  in  rooms  50  cents  per  yard  less  than  dry  entries, 

viz. 

Tracklayers,  per  day 

Trappers  


$0.50 
.35  5-7 
2.50 


.75 

1.75 

.75 


Drivers  1.50 

Inside  day  labor 1.50 

Dumpers  and  trimmers 1.50 

Outside  day  labor,  not  less  than ; 1.25 

Fireman  1.50 

Pumpers,  not  less  than  $30.00  per  month 30.00 

Entry  per  yard,  dry  entry 1.25 

Break-throughs  in  entries Entry  price 

Slack  haulers  1.40 


Machine  Mining. 


Loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .25 

Loading  and  drilling,  rooms,  per  ton .28 

Loading  in  entries,  per  ton .31  1-4 

Loading  and  drilling,  entries,  per  ton .34  1-4 

Double  shift  and  wet  entries Paid  extra 

Cutting  by  Lechner  machine: 

Hocking  Valley,  rooms,  per  ton .07 

Hocking  Valley,  entries,  per  ton - .10 

Cutting  by  Harrison  machine: 

Hocking  Valley,  rooms,  per  ton .11  1-2 

Hocking  Valley,  entries,  per  ton .12  1-2 


312 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Cutting  by  Lechner  machine ; 

Sunday  Creek,  rooms,  per  ton .08 

Sunday  Creek,  entries,  per  ton .11 

Cutting  by  Harrison  machine: 

Sunday  Creek,  rooms,  per  ton .12  1-2 

Sunday  Creek,  entries,  per  ton .14 

Drilling  by  machine,  per  ton .01  1-2 

Machine  hauler,  per  day 1.50 

Room  turning — Machine  entry  price  for  cutter  and  loader. 

Break-throughs  between  entries  to  be  paid  entry  price. 

Break-throughs  between  rooms — loading .29  2-7 

Break-throughs  between  rooms — loading  and  drillingl .32  2-7 


On  Wednesday  morning  a new  schedule  of  prices  was  pre- 
sented by  the  operators  as  follows : 


Pick  mining,  per  ton 

Track  layers,  per  liour 

Drivers,  per  hour 

Inside  day  labor,  per  hour 

Dumpers,  per  hour 

Trimmers,  per  hour 

Outside  day  labor,  per  hour 

Trappers,  per  hour 

Engineers  

Firemen  

Pumpers,  per  hour 

Teamsters,  per  hour 

Slack  haulers,  per  hour 

Water  bailers,  per  hour 

Room  turning  (pick  mine) 

Break-throughs  between  rooms  (pick  mines) 

Entry  work  (pick  mines)  per  yard 

Break-throughs  in  entries  in  pick  mines 

Machine  Mining. 

Cutting  by  Lechner  machine,  rooms 

Cutting  by  Lechner  machine,  entries 

Cutting  bj'  Harrison  machine,  rooms 

Cutting  by  Harrison  macliine,  entries 

Break-throughs  between  entries — Entry  prices. 
Nothing  extra  for  break-throughs  between  rooms. 

Loading  in  rooms 

Loading  and  drilling  in  rooms 

Loading  in  entries . 

Loading  and  drilling  in  entries 

Drilling  by  machines 

Loader,  turning  a room 

Cutter,  turning  a room 

Machine  hauler,  per  hour 


.50 

.16  4-9 

.16  2-3 

.16  2-3 

.16  2-3 

.16  2-3 

.13  8-9 

.07  2-9 

Special  contract 

1.50 

.12  2-9  to  .13  8-9 

.13  1-3 

.11  1-9  to  .14  4-9 

.16  2-3 

1.75 

Nothing 

1.00 

Entry  price 


.05  3-4 
.07  1-2 
.08  9-10 
.09  5-10 


.25 

.27 

.30 

.32 

.01  1-2 
1.00 
.50 


.16  2-3 


After  the  presentation  of  the  operators’  scale  of  prices, 
the  already  impatient  miners  became  almost  furious  when  the 
unusual  reduction  the  scale  called  for  was  figured  out.  Even 
the  cool  temperament  of  the  miners’  national  president  waxed 
warm  and  became  wrathy  at  the  absurd  proposition  made. 


Special  Con\^ntion  District  11,  1894 


313 


The  climax  having  been  reached,  John  McBride  said: 
“Everything  had  been  done  that  could  be  honorably  done  by 
them  to  make  a peaceful  settlement  but  they  had  failed  owing 
to  the  unreasonable  stand  taken  by  some  of  the  operators  and 
advised  that  the  miners’  scale  presented  to  the  operators  be 
reaffirmed  and  adhered  to  by  the  miners.”  A motion  was  put 
to  that  effect  and  carried  unanimously. 

McBride  further  stated  “that  all  places  agreeing  to  the 
scale  should  go  to  work,  but  those  being  forced  to  accept 
different  conditions  should  report  the  same  to  the  district 
officers.  The  convention  then  adjourned  sine  die. 

SPECIAL  CONVENTION  OF  DISTRICT  NO.  11. 

The  special  convention  of  District  No.  11,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  called  to  meet  in  the  city  of  Terre  Haute, 
Indiana,  February  28,  1894,  was  by  a vote  of  the  convention 
made  our  fifth  regular  annual  meeting.  The  convention  was 
called  to  order  at  10:15  a.  rn.,  by  Joseph  Dunkerly,  who  im- 
mediately appointed  the  following  committee  on  credentials: 
Frank  Lockhart,  Linton;  William  Van  Horn,  Washington; 
J.  E.  Griffiths,  Dugger;  Eugene  Merrill,  Clinton;  and  James 
White  of  Coal  Bluff. 

Committee  on  Credentials  recommended  the  following 
delegates  entitled  to  seats : 

James  Gallagher,  Eugene  Merrill,  John  Mooney,  H.  L. 

James,  Dan  Llewellyn,  William  Gost,  T.  J.  Roberts, 

Shannon,  D.  C.  Adams,  James  White,  John  H.  Crabb,  J.  S. 
Newport,  John  Kelly,  Frank  Lockhart,  F.  Thorp,  D.  E.  Qualls, 
H.  P.  Dennis,  H.  Wallace,  W.  D.  Van  Horn,  M.  Gates,  I.  N. 
Cassady,  Ed  Stewart,  John  0.  Laughlin,  F.  C.  Cooper,  J.  E. 
Griffiths. 

President  Dunkerly  explained  that  the  object  of  the  con- 
vention was  to  consider  the  question  of  a reduction  of  20  cents 
per  ton  in  mining  rates.  The  delegates  present  being  called 
upon  to  express  their  views  on  the  situation  were  generally 
speaking  opposed  to  the  reduced  rate  proposed.  It  was  re- 
solved to  invite  the  operators  to  a joint  meeting  after  which 
the  usual  committees  were  appointed  by  the  president,  and  a 
recess  taken  to  allow  them  an  opportunity  to  work. 


314 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


At  3 :30  p.  m.  the  operators’  executive  committee  was  pre- 
sented to  the  delegates,  and  Mr.  J.  S.  Talley  explained  further 
the  cause  leading  up  to  their  asking  for  a reduction.  Ques- 
tions were  asked  by  several  of  the  delegates  and  answered  by 
the  operators.  At  4:10  p.  m.  the  operators  retired. 

The  operators  left  the  impressions  that  any  reduction  less 
than  that  accepted  by  the  Ohio  miners  would  be  but  little  if 
any  use  to  them. 

The  committee  on  order  of  business  then  reported  and  re- 
port was  adopted. 

It  was  then  moved  that  we  do  not  accept  any  reduction. 
Motion  was  still  under  discussion  when  the  hour  for  adjourn- 
ment arrived.  The  convention  then  adjourned. 

MARCH  1,  1894. 

Convention  called  to  order  promptly  at  8 :30  a.  m.,  by 
President  Dunkerly.  The  motion  to  accept  no  reduction  was 
then  taken  up,  and,  after  a lengthy  discussion,  participated 
in  by  nearly  every  delegate  in  the  hall,  the  following  was  the 
result  of  the  vote : To  maintain  our  present  price,  29 ; opposed 
19. 

It  was  then  moved.  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed 
to  notify  the  operators  of  the  decision  of  the  convention. 
Committee:  Brothers  Newport,  Van  Horn  and  Merrill. 

Committee  on  finance  then  reported  as  follows : 

FINANCIAL  REPORT  FOR  YEAR  COMMENCING  MARCH  17,  1893, 
AND  ENDING  FEBRUARY  28,  1894. 

Amount  in  treasury  jMardi  17,  1894 $371.35 


Receipts 


L.  U. 

L.  A. 

1 _ _ 

$15.00 

430 

$110.00 

9.4 

16.00 

156 

4.5.00 

IP 

10  00 

971 

2.00 

155 

5.00 

3,890 

71.20 

fi9 

90.00 

499 

68.30 

33 

_ - 20.00 

1813 

10.80 

62 

25.20 

9589 

10.50 

31 

145.00 

1571 

2.52 

ISl 

4.10 

74 

12.30 

.36  50 

1436 

. 65.50 

30 

110  00 

318 

6.00 

60 

3.00 

9728 

62.00 

955 

54.30 

31  66 

- _ 38.70 

24  _ _ _ 

132.80 

214 

3.S0 

Special  Convention  District  11,  1894 


315 


L.  u. 


130  $135.40 

33  26.70 

433  181.05 

414  60.90 

268  56.00 

56 39.90 

42  55.95 

119  16.00 

1 78.10 

190  83.00 

135  4.50 

520  5.10 

510  2.70 


L.  A. 

3088  $25.00 

175  7.00 

378  25.50 

2768  14.10 

430  10.00 

422  15.00 

Organizers  Fees 42.40 

Supplies  1.50 

Refunded  3.30 


Total  receipts $2,366.87 


$420.00 

172.95 

270.00 
62.62 

690.00 
120.30 

24.55 

42.65 

39.30 

54.15 

28.25 

45.00 
49.05 

6.35 

85.00 


Disbursements. 

President  Comesky,  salary  for  seven  months 

President  Comesky,  traveling  expenses 

President  Dunkerly,  salary  for  four  and  a half  months 

President  Dunkerly,  traveling  expenses , 

Secretary  Kennedy,  salary  for  eleven  and  a half  montlis 

Secretary  Kennedy,  traveling  expenses 

J.  Dunkerly,  vice-president  and  member  of  board 

John  E.  Griffiths,  services  on  executive  board 

W.  J.  Wintei-bottom,  services  on  executive  board 

T.  G.  Morgan,  services  on  executive  board  and  auditing  committee 

Simon  Scratcher,  services  on  executive  board 

Postage  stamps  

Hall  rent,  printing,  stationery  and  miscellaneous  items 

Telegrams  

To  Silverwood  strike 


Total  expenditures  $2,110.17 


Recapitulation. 


Total  receipts  $2,366.87 

Total  expenditures 2,110.17 

Balance  in  treasury  March  1,  1894 $256.70 


After  the  finance  committee  had  reported  at  the  morning 
session,  on  reassembling  in  the  afternoon  several  resolutions 
were  introduced  among  which  was  a change  in  the  constitu- 
tion to  reduce  the  secretary-treasurer’s  salary  to  $25  per 
month  that  was  defeated.  The  conferring  of  more  power  on 
the  vice-president,  making  Section  1 of  Article  6 read  $50 
instead  of  $60,  and  the  changing  of  Section  2 of  Article  6 to 
read  $50  instead  of  $60  was  agreed  to,  and  the  convention 
adjourned. 

On  Friday  morning,  March  2,  officers  were  elected  as  fol- 
lows : President  or  Master  Workman,  Joseph  Dunkerly ; Vice- 
President  or  Worthy  Foreman,  George  W.  Purcell;  John  H. 
Kennedy,  Secretary-Treasurer.  Members  of  the  district  ex- 


316 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ecutive  board:  John  E,  Griffiths,  T.  G.  Morgan,  Daniel 

Llewellyn,  and  I.  W.  Cassady. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  sine  die. 

SPECIAL  CONVENTION  DISTRICT  11. 

On  March  14,  1894,  a special  convention  of  Indiana  miners 
was  held  at  Terre  Haute.  The  convention  was  called  to  order 
by  Joseph  Dunkerly,  president,  and  the  committee  on  cre- 
dentials appointed  reported  about  25  delegates  entitled  to 
seats.  The  proposed  reduction  on  mining  prices  was  con- 
sidered at  great  length. 

National  Vice-President  Penna  and  Secretary  McBryde 
were  present,  and  on  invitation  reviewed  the  situation  in  the 
Pittsburg  and  other  districts  of  the  competitive  field.  The 
delegates  were  confronted  with  a serious  condition  of  affairs 
in  the  Clinton  field  owing  to  a lack  of  work  there,  and  the 
situation  in  other  parts  of  the  state  was  such  as  to  make  it 
impossible  for  other  miners  to  render  the  necessary  aid  of 
which  the  Clinton  miners  were  in  need.  A resolution  to  accept 
10  cents  per  ton  reduction  failed  to  meet  a favorable  response 
and  after  further  discussion  on  the  situation  in  general,  it  was 
resolved,  by  a substitute  offered,  that  the  Clinton  men  be 
granted  the  privilege  of  going  to  work  under  the  best  terms 
possible. 

And  the  convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


FIFTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  THE  UNITED  MINE 
WORKERS  OF  AMERICA. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Tuesday,  April  10,  1894. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  McBride. 

W.  C.  Pearce  and  J.  H.  Kennedy  were  appointed  assistant 
secretaries. 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  Credentials : 

District  2. — Thos.  A.  Bradley,  Thos.  R.  Davis,  Thos. 
Butler,  Thos.  F.  Reagan,  Charles  Wolcott,  Louis  Goaziou, 
Wm.  Joyce,  Emil  Seckenger,  John  Crocker,  John  Robinson, 
Wm.  Lockyer,  Joseph  Franklin,  Patrick  Gilday,  Thos.  Allison. 

Dist.  3. — W.  B,  Wilson,  Jas.  Sweeney. 

Dist.  5. — Patrick  McBryde,  H.  Bellingham,  Pat  Murray, 
Pat  Hines,  M.  Anderson,  John  A.  Cairns,  John  Callihan, 
Richard  Gibbs,  Robt.  Watchorn,  Chas.  P.  Byrne,  C.  March- 
bank,  P.  Dolan,  Chas.  E.  Shaw. 

Grove  City,  Pa.,  District. — Joseph  Allen,  J.  A.  Crawford. 

Dist.  6. — H.  A.  Banning,  James  Hardy,  P.  Smith,  Harvey 
Phelps,  C.  A.  Robbins,  John  Suffill,  W.  H.  Crawford,  Thomas 
McCray,  Michael  Collins,  John  Evans,  Thomas  Lawson,  S. 
Rhoads,  Wm.  Phillips,  John  Fahy,  Jacob  Collins,  John  Holli- 
day, Guard  Cady,  Edmund  Thomas,  Joseph  Richards,  M.  J. 
Beatty,  George  Gulley,  D.  J.  Jones,  E.  W.  Lewis,  Levi  Nutter, 
Gwilym  Savage,  T.  E.  Fitzgerald,  John  James,  George  Wil- 
liams, Chris  Horning,  H.  Shovers,  Ervin  Nanna,  John  Mason, 
J.  R.  Hardgrove,  John  Spriggs,  Cameron  Miller,  Henry  Evans, 
John  W.  Summers,  J.  W.  Patterson,  John  Nugent,  David 
Mason,  Alex.  Johnson,  Jonathan  Todd,  W.  J.  Burns,  L.  Wright, 
T.  W.  Davis,  A.  J.  Carr,  C.  P.  Ray,  I.  W.  France,  Samuel 
Wilson,  C.  C.  Cheney,  F.  M.  Tollett,  L.  Bateman,  C.  Vickers, 
Wm.  Applegarth,  T.  T.  O’Malley,  Alex  Gordon,  W.  E.  Mc- 
Clelland, R.  L.  Davis,  Samuel  Morris,  Owen  Nelson,  Nat 
Skiels,  J.  C.  Duncan,  James  Pritchard,  Wm.  DeVore,  Ed 
Davis,  George  Frank,  Henry  Black,  Asa  Robinson,  Charles 
Call,  Wm.  Harrop,  Wm.  Clark,  John  Meiser. 

(317) 


318 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Dist.  11. — J.  H.  Kennedy,  John  D.  Price,  Joseph  Dunkerly, 
Jas  Smith,  Tobias  Roberts,  Frank  Lockhart,  George  Lowe, 
M.  Maher,  D.  E.  Qualls,  S.  R.  Thorp,  John  Kane,  W.  D.  Van 
Vorn,  J.  S.  Newport. 

Dist.  12. — J.  A.  Crawford,  W.  J.  Guyman,  J.  M.  Murray, 
Nelson  Spenny. 

Dist.  lU- — H.  W.  Pemberton,  T.  B.  McGregor. 

Dist.  17. — James  Munley,  Peter  Owen,  Thos.  Farry. 

Dist.  19.— W.  C.  Webb,  W.  W.  Ball. 

Dist.  22. — J.  D.  Fisher. 

Moved  that  part  of  the  report  on  which  the  committee 
agreed  be  accepted.  Adopted. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  committees: 

On  Distribution — Wm.  Van  Horn,  Indiana;  Richard  Gibbs, 
Louis  Goaziou,  Pennsylvania;  C.  P.  Ray,  Ohio. 

On  Co7istitutio7i — T.  A.  Bradley,  Pennsylvania;  Joseph 
Dunkerly,  Indiana;  John  A.  Cairns,  Pennsylvania;  Thomas 
Farry,  West  Virginia;  Cameron  Miller,  Ohio. 

071  Resolutions — Thomas  W.  Davis,  Ohio;  James  Sweeney, 
Pennsylvania;  J.  A.  Crawford,  Illinois;  A.  A.  Adams,  Ohio; 
W.  C.  Webb,  Kentucky. 

On  Mileage — T.  R.  Davis,  Pennsylvania ; John  Fahy,  Ohio. 

On  Order  of  Business — W.  H.  Crawford,  Ohio;  J.  S.  New- 
port, Indiana;  W.  J.  Guyman,  Illinois;  J.  D.  Fisher,  Ohio; 
John  Robinson,  Pennsylvania. 

The  convention  took  a recess  to  await  the  report  of  the 
committee  on  order  of  business. 

Report  of  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business : 

RULES. 

1.  Hours  of  convention  shall  be  from  8 a.  m.,  with  recess 
from  12  to  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  adjourn  at  5 p.  m. 

2.  Roll  call  to  take  place  at  each  morning  session. 

3.  The  debate  by  any  delegate  to  be  limited  to  five  min- 
utes on  any  one  subject  except  by  consent  of  convention,  and 
no  delegate  to  speak  more  than  once  on  the  same  subject, 
unless  to  explain  and  by  consent  of  the  chair. 

4.  That  in  all  matters  of  dispute  Cushing’s  Manual  shall 
be  the  guide. 


Fifth  Annual  Convention,  1894 


319 


Moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  adopted.  Car- 
ried. 

Committee  on  credentials  finished  their  report. 
m’bride’s  address. 

The  following  is  the  address  of  President  John  McBride 
to  the  annual  national  convention  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  April 
10,  1894 : 

Representatives  of  the  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Gentlemen:  In  compliance  with  the  constitution  you  are 

assembled  in  this  your  fifth  annual  convention. 

When  we  last  met  we  were  as  full  of  hope  and  expectancy 
as  the  future  appeared  bright  with  promise  and  prosperity 
to  our  organization  in  particular,  to  the  mining  craft  and  the 
industrial  interests  of  the  country  in  general ; but,  alas,  we 
have,  in  one  short  year,  been  forcibly  reminded  of  the  old 
saying  that 

“There’s  many  a slip 
“Twixt  the  cup  and  the  lip.” 

And  the  promised  prosperity  to  our  craft  and  country  have 
alike  “gone  glimmering”  and  both  are  now  clouded  with  un- 
certainty and  fear  as  to  what  the  future  holds  in  store  for  us 
in  an  industrial  way. 

It  is  not  my  purpose,  however,  to  philosophize,  but  rather 
to  review  the  past  and  deal  with  the  present  affairs  of  our 
organization,  and  to  suggest,  from  the  lessons  which  experi- 
ence has  taught  us,  something  which  may  assist  you  in  your 
work  of  mapping  out  a policy  to  govern  and  guide  your  organ- 
ization during  the  coming  year  along  such  lines  as  are  cal- 
culated to  subserve  the  best  interests  for  which  your  national 
organization  was  created  and  is  being  maintained. 

MINING  RATES. 

Your  last  annual  convention  resolved  to  demand  an  in- 
crease of  5 cents  per  ton  upon  screened  coal  and  the  equivalent 
of  5 cents  per  ton  on  run  of  mine  coal. 

In  my  address  to  that  convention  I clearly  pointed  out  the 
improved  condition  of  the  coal  trade  as  compared  to  the  year 
previous,  and  recommended  the  demanding  of  higher  rates 
for  mining.  I also  advised  that  in  making  a demand  for 
higher  wages,  your  demand  should  be  based  not  alone  upon 
improved  market  conditions  and  your  desires,  but  upon  your 
ability  to  act  in  concert  and  by  the  force  of  concerted  action 
force  such  a recognitioh  of  your  claims  as  they  merited  and 


320 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


secure  concessions  in  line  with  your  rights  should  they  be 
denied  you  by  employers. 

The  condition  of  markets  together  with  the  increased  sell- 
ing price  of  coal  warranted  your  demanding  better  rates,  and 
events  have  clearly  demonstrated  the  necessity,  as  well  as  the 
wisdom,  of  my  advice  to  consider  the  ability  of  your  own 
forces  as  the  most  potent  factor  to  which  cognizance  should 
be  given  in  the  matter  of  adjusting  wages. 

Had  the  securing  of  higher  wages  depended  upon  market 
conditions  and  logical  argument,  your  officials  could  easily 
and  readily  have  accomplished  the  work,  but  when  reason 
proved  ineffectual,  and  a cessation  of  work  became  necessary 
to  achieve  success  in  our  efforts,  the  responsibilities  passed 
from  the  hands  of  your  officials  to  your  own,  and  through 
lack  of  organization  and  ability  to  act  in  concert,  as  evidenced 
in  the  Pittsburg  and  West  Virginia  districts,  you  proved  your- 
selves unequal  to  the  task,  and  the  movement  for  higher 
wages,  although  justified  by  a properous  condition  of  the  coal 
trade  and  warranted  by  the  small  earnings  of  mine  workers, 
through  the  negligence  and  almost  criminal  indifference  of  our 
craftsmen  in  several  districts  passed  into  history  as  a complete 
failure. 

Had  the  delegates  to  our  last  annual  convention  been  able 
to  read  the  future,  and  thus  learn  what  was  ahead  of  us,  there 
would  have  been  less  disappointment  over  the  failure  to  ad- 
vance prices,  and  the  financial  panic  and  industrial  crisis 
which  has  since  shaken  our  country  from  center  to  circum- 
ference, upset  calculations,  destroyed  systems,  and  reduced 
the  wages  of  labor’s  best  organized  forces  in  all  parts  of  the 
country  and  in  all  occupations,  would  have  found  us  better 
prepared  to  successfully  resist  the  encroachments  made  upon 
us  by  reason  of  insane  competition  that  resulted  in  reducing 
mining  rates  far  below  a living  standard. 

There  is  a limit  to  human  endurance  and  you  have  reached 
that  limit. 

The  price  paid  for  mining  must  go  no  lower,  but  it  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  both  life  and  comfort,  and  you  are 
entitled  to  both,  that  the  price  should  go  higher,  and  that  soon. 

To  advance  wages  now  demands  both  concerted  and  de- 
termined action  on  your  part,  because  market  prices  and  con- 
ditions are  unstable  and  variable  and  the  operators  of  mines 
are  so  badly  demoralized  that  many  of  them  look  to  us  for 
such  action  as  will  save  them  from  themselves  and  place  the 
coal  producing  industry  upon  a higher,  firmer  and  better  basis, 
a basis  that  will  do  no  injustice  to  purchasers  and  consumers 
of  coal,  but  give  to  mine  workers  a decent  living  and  allow  fair 
profits  upon  capital  invested  in  mine^  and  mining. 


Fifth  Annual  Convention,  1894 


321 


No  country  in  the  world  has  furnished  as  good  and  as 
cheap  fuel  as  the  coal  consumers  of  the  United  States  have 
received,  and  the  cutting  of  selling  and  mining  rates  was  at 
no  time  due  to  a demand,  on  part  of  consumers,  for  cheaper 
coal,  but  it  was  due  to  a selfish  desire  on  part  of  certain  opera- 
tors and  miners  to  secure  trade  and  work  at  the  expense  of 
neighbors  and  competitors  regardless  of  consequences  to  the 
coal  trade  or  the  men  engaged  in  it. 

When  your  national  executive  board  advised  that  local 
efforts  cease  and  that  you  consider  the  question  of  entering 
into  a general  movement  to  advance  wages  they  recognized 
that  upon  such  a movement  depended  your  only  hope  of  suc- 
cess. Before  you  determine  to  inaugurate  a general  strike 
for  higher  wages  you  should  provide  a method  for  overcoming 
the  difficulties  which  will  be  met  with  at  the  outstart,  among 
which  will  be  the  willingness  of  many  operators  to  pay  the 
price  demanded  by  you.  Under  ordinary  circumstances,  and 
old-time  methods,  those  who  received  the  price  demanded 
would  be  authorized  to  work,  but  circumstances  and  condi- 
tions are  not  of  the  ordinary  character,  and  old  time  methods 
will  not  win  in  a strike  of  such  magnitude  and  importance  as 
the  one  contemplated. 

It  will  readily  be  admitted  that  the  interests  of  the  whole 
is  greater  than  any  one  part  of  our  craft,  and  I wish  to  im- 
press upon  your  minds  the  fact  that  the  interests  involved  in 
the  fixing  of  prices 'for  a competitive  field,  or  for  all  fields, 
should  receive  greater  consideration  at  your  hands  than 
should  be  given  to  any  individual  or  local  interest. 

In  my  judgment,  work  should  not  be  authorized  until  you 
have  secured,  or  failed  to  secure,  a joint  meeting  with  mine 
operators  in  the  several  competitive  districts  and  reached  a 
satisfactory  settlement,  or  until  operators  whose  mines  pro- 
duce the  major  portion  of  the  coal  tonnage  in  any  one  com- 
petitive field  have  granted  your  price. 

THE  ORDER  OF  THE  KNIGHTS  OF  LABOR. 

Last  year  I submitted  the  correspondence  which  passed 
between  General  Master  Workman  Powderly  and  myself, 
relative  to  the  charges  made  against  our  organization  at  the 
St.  Louis  General  Assembly.  In  the  settlement  of  that  con- 
troversy, which  ended  in  our  full  and  complete  vindication, 
Mr.  Powderly  promised  a retraction  as  broad  and  public  as 
the  charges  made  by  him. 

In  the  general  assembly  held  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  November  last,  Mr.  Powderly,  in  his  annual  address, 
used  the  following  language : 

“For  very  good  reasons  which  may  not  be  necessary  to 


322 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


explain,  no  mention  was  made  in  the  Journal  of  Knights  of 
Labor  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  statement  made  to  the  last 
general  assembly.  Here  and  now,  in  the  presence  of  the 
representatives  of  the  whole  order  and  particularly  those 
representing  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  I desire  to  with- 
draw the  statement  and  recommendation  made  to  the  St.  Louis 
session,  and  in  doing  so  invite  the  most  careful  scrutiny  of  my 
act  of  a year  ago  and  the  action  taken  later  on  in  arriving 
at  a settlement.  That  there  may  be  no  misunderstanding  here- 
after you  should  carefully  examine  every  document  now  in 
possession  of  the  general  secretary -treasurer.  Your  general 
master  workman  is  convinced  that  under  the  peculiar  condi- 
tions which  surround  the  miners  of  America  they  cannot  or- 
ganize as  others  do,  and  that  liberal  allowances  must  be  made 
for  such  departure  from  the  strict  letter  of  the  laws  as  they 
may  by  force  of  circumstances  have  to  take.  It  is  the  ex- 
perience of  your  general  master  workman  that  whenever  a 
call  is  issued  to  the  order  for  action  in  line  with  the  preamble 
of  the  order,  or  any  of  its  parts,  no  body  of  men  respond  more 
cheerfully  or  promptly  than  the  mining  fraternity.” 

This  should  remove  every  doubt  as  to  the  loyalty  of  our 
members  to  their  fraternal  obligations. 

If  our  organization  had  received,  was  receiving ; or  is  likely 
to  receive  proper  treatment  from  the  general  office  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor,  I would  gladly  have  dropped  the  whole 
subject,  but  the  actions  of  General  Secretary-Treasurer  John 
W.  Hayes,  indicates  that  he  is  now  and  always  was  an  im- 
placable and  unscrupulous  enemy  of  the  United  l\Iine  Workers 
and  their  interests. 

Prior  to  the  consolidation  of  the  two  organized  bodies 
which  now  constitute  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
Mr.  Hayes  opposed  the  movement  unless  it  could  be  so  directed 
as  to  place  all  members  under  the  control  of  the  Knights  of 
Labor,  and  with  that  end  in  view  he  prostituted  his  high  and 
honorable  office  to  the  work  of  overriding  the  constitutional 
provisions  of  the  order,  by  artificially  increasing  the  member- 
ship of  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  and  to  make  his  de- 
spicable scheme  appear  plausible  to  the  outside  world,  and  to 
the  members  of  the  order  he  was  obligated  to  serve  honestly, 
he  gave  more  representatives  to  the  general  assembly  from 
National  Trade  Assembly  135,  than  it  was  entitled  to,  and  in 
doing  so  this  not  only  took  advantage  of  other  districts  in  the 
order,  but  compelled  members  of  the  order  at  large  to  pay 
the  expense  of  more  delegates  from  National  Trades  Assembly 
135,  to  the  Atlanta,  Georgia,  session  of  the  General  Assembly, 
than  the  membership  or  constitution  allowed. 

From  letters  written  by  John  W.  Hayes  to  Robert  Watch- 


Fifth  Annual  Proceedings,  1894 


323 


orn,  which  are  on  file  in  our  national  office,  the  unscrupulous 
and  treacherous  work  of  the  former  is  clearly  evidenced. 

On  January  15,  1890,  Hayes  wrote : 

“My  dear  Bob:  I must  say  that  I cannot  see  any  great 

benefit  from  the  joining  of  forces,  etc.  I have  carefully  read 
the  article  which  appears  in  our  journal  of  today,  and  still 
I am  not  satisfied.” 

Again  on  the  same  date: 

“My  Dear  Bob:  The  reason  I did  not  write  or  telegraph 
congratulations  was  that  I had  no  information  as  to  the  state 
of  affairs.  I did  not  care  to  congratulate  an  association  that 
I was  afraid  was  being  scooped  in.” 

At  the  St.  Louis  General  Assembly  Secretary  Hayes  as- 
serted that  at  the  time  of  the  consolidation  the  National 
Trades  Assembly  135  had  a membership  of  21,000,  while  the 
Progressive  Union  had  less  than  half  that  number,  but  that 
by  reason  of  the  discrimination  against  the  Knights  by  the 
officers  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  the  membership  had 
been  reversed.  In  making  this  statement  John  W.  Hayes 
knowingly  and  deliberately  lied,  as  his  own  records  and  those 
of  National  Trades  Assembly  135  will  prove;  but  let  him  con- 
vict himself.  On  October  28,  1899,  less  than  four  months  be- 
fore the  consolidation  was  effected,  he  wrote : 

“Robert  Watchorn : 

“Dear  Sir  and  Brother — Your  National  Trades  Assembly 
is  only  entitled  to  three  delegates;  you  will  be  credited  with 
about  10,000  members,  which  is  500  too  little  for  four  dele- 
gates.” 

To  send  only  three  delegates  to  the  General  Assembly 
would  be  to  expose  the  weakness  of  the  National  Trades  As- 
sembly 135  membership  and  give  some  advantages  to  the  Na- 
tional Progessive  Union,  and  to  prevent  this  from  being  done 
the  constitution  of  the  order  was  ignored  and  the  number  of 
delegates  from  the  National  Trades  Assembly  to  the  General 
Assembly  was  increased  from  three  to  seven. 

On  December  11,  1899,  shortly  after  the  General  Assembly 
adjourned,  Hayes  wrote: 

“My  Dear  Bob — Do  you  know  that  your  seven  delegate 
racket  has  skinned  us  out  of  $88 — on  mileage,  you  know. 
Can’t  we  get  up  some  sort  of  a scheme  to  make  135  give  it 
back  to  us?” 

There  are  other  letters  in  my  possession  which  prove  the 
duplicity  of  Mr.  Hayes  in  his  official  dealings,  but  instead  of 


324 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


producing  them  here,  I call  your  attention  to  some  of  his  more 
recent  acts.  The  constitution  of  the  Knights  requires  that 
the  general  secretary-treasurer  shall  furnish  a quarterly  state- 
ment to  the  secretary  of  each  National  Trade  Assembly  of  the 
local  assemblies  in  good  and  bad  standing,  but  such  a state- 
ment has  never  been  sent  by  General  Secretary  Hayes  to  our 
National  Trades  Assembly  since  my  election  as  its  master 
workman  in  February,  1892,  although  repeatedly  requested 
by  our  secretary  to  do  so. 

That  his  refusal  to  comply  with  constitutional  provisions  in 
this  particular  has  injured  our  organization  is  proven  by  Sec- 
retary Hayes  himself.  On  October  6,  1892,  he  wrote  Secre- 
tary McBryde  that,  “There  is  evidently  a very  large  error 
either  on  the  part  of  locals  reporting  to  you  or  of  those  report- 
ing to  this  office.  Your  statement  shows  a total  of  3,900, 
while  my  reports  show  a membership  of  6,500.” 

This  proves  that  2,600  more  members  were  held  in  good 
standing  and  credited  to  our  National  Trades  Assembly  than 
we  had  upon  our  books.  In  November  last  our  books  showed 
that  we  had  4,415  members  in  good  standing  in  our  National 
Trades  Assembly,  and  this  would  only  have  allowed  one  dele- 
gate to  the  General  Assembly,  but  we  sent  two,  and  the  finance 
committee  in  making  their  report  credited  us  with  being  en- 
titled to  two,  and  thus  it  was  again  evidenced  that  we  were 
credited  with  a membership  greater  than  paid  to  us. 

The  only  way  to  correct  this  abuse  is  by  obtaining  from 
the  general  secretary  of  the  Knights  the  statement  which  the 
laws  of  the  order  require  him  to  make,  but  we  have  no  power 
to  compel  him  to  discharge  his  duties,  and  so  long  as  he  re- 
fuses to  perform  them,  and  the  general  executive  board  fails 
to  compel  him  to  do  so,  we  must  either  submit  to  the  injustices 
practiced  upon  us  or  stop  the  farce  by  decided  action  on  part 
of  our  own  members. 

There  are  many  other  things  that  have  been  done  through 
the  general  office  of  the  Knights  of  Labor  to  annoy,  harass 
and  injure  our  organization,  but  I shall  not  weary  you  with 
an  account  of  them  now,  because  you  have  enough  here  to 
allow  you  to  judge  of  the  manner  in  which  you  have  been 
wronged  by  the  disreputable  methods  of  John  W.  Hayes,  who 
disgraces  the  position  of  general  secretary-treasurer  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor. 

While  the  treatment  we  have  received  through  the  general 
office  of  the  Knights  of  Labor  has  been  unsatisfactory  and 
unjust,  the  members  of  our  local  assemblies  and  the  officers 
of  our  national  and  district  organizations  have  been  loyal  and 
true  to  their  obligations  to  the  order,  and  there  is  very  little, 
if  any,  ill  feeling  or  dissatisfaction  existing  as  between  the 


President  McBride’s  Admonition 


325 


members  of  our  local  unions  and  assemblies;  indeed,  there  is 
a better  fraternal  feeling  and  more  harmony  among  our  mem- 
bership than  ever  before,  and  I have  no  desire,  neither  have 
our  members  a desire,  to  condemn  the  order  of  the  Knights 
for  the  shortcomings  of  an  official,  and  I do  not  wish 
to  be  understood  as  making  a declaration  of  war,  or  of  seek- 
ing to  influence  you  to  do  so,  upon  the  order  of  the  Knights 
of  Labor,  simply  because  I have  pointed  out  these  things  which 
you  should  know  so  that  there  will  be  no  misunderstanding 
on  your  part  as  to  my  position. 

Organization. 

The  work  of  organization  during  the  past  year  was  con- 
ducted with  vigor,  but  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  year 
the  progress  made  was  both  slow  and  unsatisfactory.  In 
the  earlier  part  of  the  year  our  work  was  retarded  by  reason 
of  the  disappointment  occasioned  over  the  failure  to  obtain 
higher  wages,  and  the  difficulty  met  with  in  adjusting  mining 
rates.  These  difficulties  had  hardly  disappeared  until  the 
flnancial  crisis  spread  ruin  and  disaster  throughout  the  coun- 
try, and  in  our  mining  districts  the  failure  to  pay  wages  in 
cash  upon  regular  day  days,  the  closing  of  mines  through  in- 
ability of  operators  to  secure  money  due  upon  coal  sales,  and 
the  persistent  effort  to  take  advantage  of  the  situation  to  re- 
duce wages,  caused  confusion  in  our  ranks  and  rendered  our 
work  still  more  onerous. 

Oppression,  low  wages  and  hunger,  aided  and  enforced  by 
operators  of  mines  have  proved  to  be  a more  potent  and  ef- 
ficient power  in  the  work  of  organizing  than  has  the  logic 
and  eloquence  of  our  official  workers,  and  thousands  of  mine 
workers  have  been  crowding  into  our  organization  within  the 
past  three  months,  and  all  are  clamorous  for  speedy  action  to 
retrieve  the  ground  lost  by  their  former  indifference  and  neg- 
lect. If  the  men  now  rushing  into  our  organization  will  only 
profit  by  their  recent  experience  and  stay  within  our  ranks 
it  will  require  but  little  time  to  improve  prices  and  ameliorate 
conditions.  If  this  could  be  accomplished  we  would  have  rea- 
son to  look  back  upon  the  hardships  of  the  present  as  an  epoch 
in  the  history  of  our  craft  when  the  darkest  hour  fore- 
shadowed the  dawning  of  a brighter  and  more  prosperous 
future. 

Abuse  of  Officials. 

I sometimes  think  that  the  person  who  originated  the  old 
saying  that  “the  devil  always  finds  work  for  idle  hands  to  do,” 
must  have  been  an  official  of  some  labor  organization  who 
tried  to  convey  something  connected  with  his  experience  with 


326 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


harping  critics  during  a period  of  depressed  trade  and  en- 
forced idleness. 

When  trade  is  good  and  men  are  employed  and  prosperous, 
Mine  Workers’  officials  have  a pleasant  task  to  perform  in  dis- 
charging their  duties,  but  in  times  like  the  present,  and  the 
recent  past,  they  are  compelled  to  do  hard,  disagreeable  work 
and  are  subjected  to  an  ordeal  which  tests  their  patience,  and 
publicly  measures  their  personal  integrity  and  their  ability 
and  worth  as  leaders. 

Oppressed  and  suffering  men  naturally  are  discontented, 
suspicious  and  inclined  to  criticise  and  find  fault  with  any- 
thing and  everything  related  to  their  craft  interests.  It  is  at 
such  times  that  men  forget  the  causes  which  are  responsible 
for  their  condition,  and  without  giving  a thought  to  sur- 
roundings, or  taking  into  consideration  their  dependence  upon 
craftsmen  in  competing  fields,  give  vent  to  their  desires,  and 
with  their  judgment  warped  by  suffering  and  prejudice  and 
blinded  by  passion  they  enter  into  a wholesale  denunciation 
of  persons  and  things;  and  officials,  no  matter  how  honest, 
sincere  or  able  they  may  be  are  made  the  victims  of  their 
craftsmen’s  wrath  and  folly. 

I desire  to  emphasize  the  necessity  of  curbing  this  virulent 
tendency  on  part  of  our  craftsmen,  because  I sincerely  be- 
lieve that  unless  it  be  done  your  cause  will  be  weakened  by 
the  driving  of  every  honest,  conscientious  man  from  official 
position  in  your  ranks. 

You  can  not  afford  to  place  a premium  upon  official  in- 
sincerity and  canting  hypocrisy,  but  you  can  afford  to  have 
officials  who  will  tell  the  truth  and  honestly  advise,  no  matter 
how  much  the  truth  may  hurt  or  how  unpalatable  the  advice 
may  be. 

Conclusion. 

There  are  several  topics  which  I shall  not  treat  on  now, 
but  will  advise  as  they  come  before  you  during  your  deliber- 
ations, but  before  concluding  I desire  to  express  my  personal 
gratification  over  the  willingness  expressed  and  the  energy 
and  ability  displayed  by  every  member  of  your  national  execu- 
tive board  when  called  upon  to  do  work  assigned  them  during 
the  most  trying  year  of  all  my  official  life. 

Friendship  and  harmony  prevailed  at  all  times  between 
myself  and  members  of  the  board,  and  between  the  board 
members  themselves,  and  for  this  and  the  many  courteous 
acts  of  kindness,  I desire,  through  you,  to  tender  mj’  sincere 
thanks.  John  McBride. 


Fifth  Annual  Proceedings,  1894 


327 


Moved  that  the  report  be  accepted  and  committee  con- 
tinued. Adopted. 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  following  telegrams  were  read  and  the  president  in- 
structed to  make  suitable  replies : 

New  York,  April  9,1894. 

To  P.  McBryde,  Clinton  Building,  Columbus  Ohio: 

United  States  Senate  is  considering  the  Chinese  treaty  in 
executive  session.  It  overrides  and  destroys  protective  fea- 
tures of  Scott  and  Geary  laws.  Send  protests  to  Senate 
against  ratification  and  call  on  locals  to  take  similar  action. 
Prompt  attention  is  essential. 

Samuel  Gompers,  President. 

New  York,  April  10,  1894. 

John  McBride,  President  United  Mine  Workers  of  America : 
Convey  to  convention  kindest  and  fraternal  greetings,  vfith 
sincere  hope  that  the  dark  clouds  are  past  and  a brighter  fu- 
ture in  view.  Samuel  Gompers, 

Chris  Evans. 

The  report  of  the  secretary-treasurer  was  then  read. 
auditor’s  report. 

We,  the  auditing  committee,  have  examined  the  itemized 
accounts  and  books  of  the  secretary-treasurer  for  the  year 
ending  March  31,  1894,  and  found  them  kept  in  a business- 
like manner  and  correct  in  every  particular.  All  books  and 
office  accounts  were  placed  before  us  for  our  inspection. 


Cash  on  hand  March  31,  1893 $10,368.22 

Tax  17,093.46 

Supplies  706.01 

Newspaper  2,655.75 

Interest  on  sixty-day  notes 5.40 

From  souvenir  100.00 


Total  income $30,928.84 

Expenditures,  salaries  and  expenses $18,457.66 

Miscellaneous 6,876.35 

Loss  through  failure  Houtzdale  bank 9.00 

Through  stoppage  of  Glouster  bank 22.75 

Cash  on  hand  March  31,  1894 5,563.08 

$30,928.84 


Chas.  Call, 

T.  R.  Davis, 

W.  J.  Guyman. 


328 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Moved  that  the  reports  just  read  be  received  and  become 
parts  of  the  minutes. 

Adopted. 

A number  of  resolutions  were  read  and  ordered  to  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  proper  committees. 

John  Meiser,  Osnaburg  was  by  vote  given  a voice  and  vote 
in  the  convention. 

Adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL  11. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  McBride. 

The  reading  of  the  minutes  was,  by  motion,  dispensed  with. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  order  a general  suspension 
of  work  to  take  effect  April  22,  1894. 

Moved  to  amend  by  striking  out  the  22  and  insert  the  16th 
of  April. 

Moved,  That  during  the  debate  we  go  into  executive  ses- 
sion. Agreed  to. 

Resolved,  That  on  and  after  Saturday  noon,  April  21, 
1894,  no  coal  shall  be  mined  in  that  part  of  the  United  States 
and  territories  governed  by  our  organization  until  such  times 
as  our  general  officers  and  national  executive  board  shall  order 
the  miners  to  resume  work. 

The  previous  question  being  moved  it  was  carried  by  a 
vote  of  55  to  44. 

The  substitute  was  carried;  Indiana  delegates  voting  in 
the  negative.  This  was  done  to  show  their  willingness  to 
carry  out  their  present  contract.  When  the  decision  was  an- 
nounced an  Indiana  delegate,  who  had  voted  against  the  reso- 
lution, promptly  moved  to  make  the  motion  unanimous,  which 
was  done  amidst  the  cheers  of  the  delegates. 

Moved,  That  the  president  appoint  a scale  committee. 
Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  if  the  first  general  suspension  of  work  fails 
to  obtain  a proper  advance  of  mining  rates  throughout  the 
competitive  fields,  that  the  national  executive  board  be  and  is 
hereby  empowered  to  call  another  suspension  at  any  time  dur- 
ing the  present  year  that  may  by  them  be  deemed  best. 


Fifth  Annual  Proceedings,  1894 


329 


Adopted. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  committee  on  scale  of 
prices:  W.  B.  Wilson,  Pennsylvania;  M.  Maher,  Indiana;  John 
Nugent,  Ohio;  Thomas  Farry,  West  Virginia;  W.  C.  Webb, 
Kentucky;  Thomas  McGregor,  Missouri, 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  McBride. 

Officers  Elected. 

For  President — John  McBride. 

President  McBride  was  then  introduced  and  addressed  the 
convention. 

Vice-President — P.  H.  Penna. 

A committee  carried  the  little  vice-president  to  the  plat- 
form, who  made  one  of  his  characteristic  addresses. 

Secretary-Treasurer — Patrick  McBryde. 

Secretary  P.  McBryde  made  a few  remarks. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  12. 

Members  of  the  Executive  Board — John  Fahy,  Thomas  A. 
Bradley,  W.  C.  Webb,  J.  A.  Crawford,  Cameron  Miller  and 
W.  B.  Wilson. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Resolutions. 

Whereas,  One  of  our  craft  has,  by  his  studious  efforts, 
raised  himself  up  so  that  he  is  an  honored  attorney-at-law,  and 
as  there  is  a position  within  his  reach  to  which  he  aspires, 
and  believing  he  would  bring  respect  to  us  as  a craft;  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  representatives  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  do  heartily  indorse  the  Hon.  Nial  R. 
Hysell  for  the  appointment  of  assistant  district  attorney  for 
the  United  States,  Southern  Ohio  District ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  this  resolution  be  engrossed,  signed  by  the 
president  and  secretary,  the  seal  of  our  organization  attached 
to  the  same,  and  forwarded  to  the  Hon.  Harlan  Cleveland, 
Cincinnati,  Ohio, 

Concurred  in  by  committee  and  the  convention. 

Whereas,  The  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  have  es- 


330 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


tablished  the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal  by  an  expendi- 
ture of  several  hundred  dollars,  and 

Whereas,  Only  a minority  of  our  members  are  supporting 
said  Journal  by  personal  subscription ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  deems  it  the  duty  of  every 
member  of  the  organization  to  become  a subscriber,  and  help 
push  the  circulation  among  unorganized  miners. 

Carried. 

Resolved,  That  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  in 
convention  assembled,  regret  the  actions  of  General  Secretary 
Hayes  in  connection  with  the  secret  bands  of  our  organization, 
as  such  actions  tend  to  destroy  the  harmonious  relations  exist- 
ing. 

Concurred  in. 

Whereas,  The  year  we  are  now  entering  upon  is  one 
fraught  with  great  possibilities  to  the  mine  workers  of  the 
country,  either  for  advanced  industrial  and  social  conditions 
to  be  secured  by  an  increased  compensation  for  our  labor,  or 
it  must  witness  a defeat,  and  a postponement  of  our  most 
cherished  aspirations,  which  will  leave  us  in  bondage  to  condi- 
tions not  far  removed  from  the  most  servile  slavery  in  effect ; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  while  we  recognize  the  merits  and  the 
claims  of  many  questions  that  might  be  presented  to  the  con- 
vention for  favorable  action  thereon  and  be  a benefit  to  the 
craft  if  adopted,  recognizing  also  the  desires  of  the  representa- 
tives to  discharge  fully  the  obligations  placed  upon  them  by 
their  constituency,  yet  we  would  urge  upon  this  convention, 
and  upon  the  craft  in  general,  the  necessity  of  centralized 
concerted  action  to  bring  about  a successful  adoption  of  such 
measures  as  are  already  agreed  upon,  and  we  advise  that  our 
officers  and  members  confine  themselves  to  such  methods  and 
actions  as  will  bring  about  that  result  regarding  the  work  al- 
ready mapped  out  as  a sufficient  undertaking  for  the  present 
year. 

Carried. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Scale. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention: 

We,  your  committee  on  scale  of  wages  beg  leave  to  submit 
the  following  for  your  consideration : 

Resolved,  That  we  declare  it  to  be  the  purpose  of  the  gen- 
eral suspension  to  restore  the  scale  of  prices  for  mining  and 


Fifth  Annual  Proceedings,  1894 


331 


conditions  of  employment  which  prevailed  at  the  beginning  of 
the  present  year.  Respectfully  submitted, 

Thos.  B.  McGregor. 

Report  of  committee  adopted. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Constitution. 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  the  counties  of  Mercer,  Butler, 
Beaver  and  Lawrence,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  be  or- 
ganized into  a district  and  given  a number  by  this  convention. 

Carried. 

Section  7,  Article  6 — The  national  officers  shall  have  power 
to  change  boundaries  and  jurisdiction  of  districts  as  the 
conditions  may  require  between  conventions. 

Concurred  in. 

Section  8,  Article  6 — Resolved,  That  this  convention  elect 
two  auditors  to  examine  the  books  of  the  national  secretary 
quarterly  and  cause  their  report  to  be  published  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers  Journal,  said  auditors  to  hold  no  national  or 
district  offices. 

Adopted. 

Section  7,  Article  6. — The  national  executive  board  shall 
have  power  to  order  a general  suspension  at  any  time  during 
the  year  that  they  deem  it  necessary. 

Adopted. 

Whereas,  Experience  has  demonstrated  to  the  organizers 
of  our  craft  that  in  mining  camps  composed  largely  of  non- 
English  speaking  miners  it  is  necessary,  if  we  must  organize 
them,  that  some  new  departure  from  former  methods  be  re- 
sorted to,  and 

Whereas,  In  Colorado  one  of  our  board  members  has  ex- 
perimented with  the  group  system  of  organization  the  same 
so  far  applied  meeting  all  requirements  as  expected;  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  our  incoming  executive  board  be  and  are 
hereby  empowered  to  draft  rules  and  regulations  formulating' 
a plan  whereby  the  “Group  System”  can  be  perfected,  main- 
tained and  applied  as  a part  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  in  disorganized  fields  where  conditions  of  our  craft 
make  it  necessary  that  such  means  of  organization  be  re- 
sorted to. 

During  the  discussion  the  hour  for  dinner  arrived  and  the 
convention  adjourned. 


332 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  McBride. 

The  delegates  were  paid  railroad  fare,  after  which  the 
president  called  on  William  Howells  to  explain  the  group  sys- 
tem of  organization,  on  which  a resolution  was  introduced  in 
the  morning  session. 

After  some  remarks  from  Brother  Howells  and  others  the 
resolution  was  adopted. 

President  McBride  read  the  following  communication : 

Convention  Hall,  Columbus,  Ohio,  April  12,  1894. 

To  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  Convention  As- 
sembled, Greeting: 

The  Typographical  Unions  of  Ohio,  in  convention  assem- 
bled, send  you  their  hearty  greeting  and  wish  you  God-speed 
in  your  deliberations  for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  dear 
to  us  all,  and  which  binds  us  together  by  a bond  of  friendship 
and  human  brotherhood  as  strong  and  indissoluble  as  our 
cause  is  a just  and  noble  one. 

Frank  L.  Rist,  President, 
Theo.  Damon,  .Secretary. 

He  informed  the  convention  he  had,  in  their  name,  made 
the  following  reply : 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  12,  1894. 
Frank  L.  Rist,  President ; Theodore  Damon,  Secretary : 

Gentlemen — Having  received,  through  you,  the  fraternal 
greeting  of  the  delegates  now  attending  the  convention  of 
the  Ohio  Typographical  Union,  we  are  authorized  by  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  now  in 
session,  to  say  that  we  extend  similar  greetings  to  you  and 
express  the  hope  that  ere  long  there  will  be  a closer  alliance 
between  all  organized  forces  when  we  may,  by  concerted  ac- 
tion, secure  relief  from  the  evils  now  afflicting  us  through 
bad,  social,  industrial  and  governmental  systems.  By  order  of 

Convention. 

The  action  of  the  president  was  indorsed  and  the  com- 
munication ordered  to  be  placed  on  the  minutes. 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  interests  of  our  organization 
can  best  be  subserved  and  the  purpose  we  seek  to  accomplish 
through  a general  suspension  of  mining  more  easily  obtained 
by  a full  and  complete  observation  of  law,  the  maintenance 
of  peace  and  the  protection  of  property. 


District  5 Constitution,  1894 


333 


Resolved,  That  we  pledge  ourselves  and  call  upon  our  mem- 
bers to  enforce  the  suspension  of  mining  by  peaceful  and  law- 
abiding  methods,  and  should  it  be  necessary  at  any  time  we 
promise  to  voluntarily  assist  in  the  work  of  protecting  life  and 
property  whenever  threatened. 

Adopted. 

Whereas,  We  sincerely  regret  that  the  interests  of  our 
homes,  our  families,  the  coal  trade  and  of  the  communities 
in  which  we  live,  have  forced  us  to  inaugurate  a general  sus- 
pension of  mining,  and  cause,  through  it,  additional  hardships 
to  be  endured  by  thousands  of  partly  employed  and  poorly 
paid  laborers  and  place  greater  difficulties  in  the  way  of  in- 
dustrial enterprises  and  of  the  business  public. 

Resolved,  That  we  hold  ourselves  ready  to  meet  with  the 
owners  and  operators  of  mines  in  each  competitive  district, 
for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  mining  rates  upon  a living  basis 
and  entering  into  annual  agreements  which  will  give  stability 
to  our  trade  and  assure  peace  and  tranquillity  between  em- 
ployers and  employes  in  all  mining  communities. 

Adopted. 

Election  of  Auditors — The  chair  declared  M.  Ratchford 
and  Charles  Call  elected  auditors. 

Election  of  Delegates  to  the  Federation  of  Labor — The 
chair  declared  the  following  delegates  elected : John  McBride, 
Patrick  McBryde,  P.  H.  Penna  and  John  Nugent.  Alternates — 
Thomas  Butler,  M.  Ratchford,  W.  C.  Pearce  and  Chas.  Call. 

After  some  appropriate  remarks  by  President  McBride 
the  convention  adpourned  sine  die. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  DISTRICT  5,  1894. 


Article  I — 'Name  and  Jurisdiction. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  District  5,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  shall  be  composed  of  miners 
and  mine  laborers  working  in  and  about  that  portion  of  Penn- 
sylvania known  as  the  Pittsburg  district. 

Article  II — Officers  and  Their  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  district  shall  be  one  presi- 
dent, or  master  workman ; two  vice-presidents,  or  worthy  fore- 
men ; one  financial  secretary-treasurer  and  an  executive  board 
of  twelve  members,  two  of  whom  shall  be  the  president  and 
secretary-treasurer,  who  shall  bo  elected  at  each  annual  con- 
vention. 


334 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Section  2.  The  president,  or  master  workman,  shall  pre- 
side at  all  conventions  of  the  district;  he  shall  receive  and 
answer  all  communications  (except  those  relating  to  finance)  ; 
he  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  executive  board,  fill  by  ap- 
pointment all  vacancies  occurring  in  the  district  offices,  and 
in  like  manner  he  is  empowered  to  suspend  or  remove  any 
district  officer  for  just  or  sufficient  cause;  he  shall  devote  his 
time  and  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  district. 

Section  3.  The  first  vice-president,  or  worthy  foreman, 
shall  perform  the  duties  of  the  president,  or  master  workman, 
in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office  of  that  official. 

Section  4.  The  financial  secretary-treasurer  shall  have 
charge  of  all  books  of  the  district  office;  he  shall  record  pro- 
ceedings of  all  district  conventions  and  of  the  meetings  of 
the  executive  board;  he  shall  receive  and  receipt  for  all 
moneys ; pay  all  current  expenses ; he  shall  prepare  and  submit 
to  the  locals  a quarterly  report  of  all  moneys  received  and  dis- 
bursed, and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  assigned 
him ; he  shall  give  a bond  of  $1,000,  to  be  approved  by  the  ex- 
ecutive board,  for  the  safe  keeping  of  all  moneys  entrusted  to 
him,  and  he  shall  not  have  more  than  $500  subject  to  his  order 
at  any  one  time.  All  other  funds  must  be  deposited  by  him 
subject  to  the  order  of  the  executive  board. 

Section  5.  The  executive  board  shall  constitute  the  dis- 
trict board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation,  and  shall  execute 
the  orders  of  district  conventions,  and  between  conventions 
shall  have  full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  district. 
The  board  shall  be  convened  by  the  president  or  master  work- 
man, or  by  the  financial  secretary-treasurer,  at  the  request 
of  five  members  of  said  board. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  district  shall  be  derived 
from  local  assemblies  and  local  unions,  which  shall  pay  direct 
to  the  financial  secretary-treasurer  8 cents  per  month  per 
member. 

Section  2.  The  executive  board  shall  have  the  power  to 
reduce  the  per  capita  tax  when  they  deem  it  advisable  to  do  so. 

Artivle  IV. 

Section  1.  A man  in  good  standing  in  either  branch  of 
the  organization  shall  be  eligible  to  hold  office  in  the  district, 
provided  he  has  been  a member  of  an  affiliated  local  for  six 
months  prior  to  his  election  and  becomes  a member  of  both 
branches  before  qualifying  for  the  office  to  which  he  has  been 
elected. 

Section  2.  The  salaries  of  the  president  and  financial  sec- 
retary-treasurer shall  be  $50  per  month  and  necessarj^  ex- 


Cleveland  National  Convention 


335 


penses;  salary  of  executive  board  shall  be  $2.50  per  day  and 
necessary  expenses  when  employed  in  the  interest  of  the  dis- 
trict. 

Article  Y. 

Section  1.  The  nominations  for  district  officials  shall  be 
forwarded  to  the  secretary-treasurer  at  least  one  month  be- 
fore the  district  annual  convention,  and  the  secretary-treas- 
urer shall  send  a list  of  said  nominations  to  each  local  assem- 
bly and  local  union  at  least  two  weeks  before  said  convention, 
and  delegates  shall  come  to  the  convention  instructed  to  vote 
for  candidates  for  the  respective  positions. 

Section  2.  The  election  of  district  officers  shall  be  by  open 
ballot,  and  it  shall  require  a majority  of  all  votes  cast  to  elect 
any  district  officer. 

Article  VI. 

Section  1.  The  annual  convention  of  this  district  shall  be 
held  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  January  of  each  year  in  the 
City  of  Pittsburg,  Pa!  Special  conventions  shall  be  called  by 
the  president  or  master  workman  when  he  thinks  it  necessary, 
or  when  so  instructed  by  the  executive  board,  or  at  the  request 
of  five  locals. 

Section  2.  Representatives  to  the  district  conventions 
from  affiliated  locals  shall  have  one  vote  for  fifty  members 
or  less,  and  one  vote  for  each  additional  fifty  members  or  ma- 
jority fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative  shall  have  more 
than  three  votes. 

Section  3.  No  local  assembly  or  local  union  shall  be  al- 
lowed representation  in  district  conventions  who  have  not 
complied  with  the  constitution  of  the  district. 

Article  VII. 

No  alterations  or  amendments  shall  be  made  to  this  con- 
stitution except  by  a two-thirds  vote  of  all  members  present 
at  a regular  annual  convention  of  the  district. 

Joseph  Nevins, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Constitution. 

CLEVELAND  CONVENTION. 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  14,  1894. 

When  President  McBride  called  the  convention  to  order 
this  morning  there  were  found  to  be  present  188  delegates, 
representing  miners  in  central  and  western  Pennsylvania,  as 
well  as  the  coke  regions  of  that  state,  Maryland,  West  Vir- 
ginia, Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Alabama, 
Missouri,  Kansas,  Iowa,  Colorado  and  Indian  Territory. 


336 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


After  the  convention  was  fairly  organized,  a discussion 
took  place  on  the  proper  mode  of  procedure  relative  to  pre- 
paring to  meet  operators  tomorrow  (Tuesday).  It  was  finally 
agreed,  by  resolution,  that  one  delegate  from  each  district  be 
selected  to  act  on  a preliminary  scale  committee  to  formulate 
for  each  district,  and  to  unite  as  a whole,  a scale,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  resolution  passed  at  the  late  annual  convention. 
It  was  decided  that  each  district  get  together  and  select  its 
own  member  of  the  committee,  and  report  the  same  after  con- 
vening in  the  afternoon.  The  convention  then  adjourned. 

At  2 p.  m.  President  McBride  called  the  convention  to 
order,  and  several  more  delegates  reported  their  presence  to 
the  secretary,  making  the  number  reach  nearly  200  present 
at  the  afternoon  session.  President  McBride  suggested  that 
the  convention  go  into  executive  session,  which,  on  motion, 
was  adopted,  and  the  reporters  were  asked  to  retire. 

John  Nugent  was  appointed  doorkeeper. 

Moved,  That  rules  governing  the  late  national  convention 
be  the  rules  of  this  one.  Carried. 

The  chair  asked  for  the  names  of  the  members  of  the  pre- 
liminary scale  committee.  The  following  were  chosen  as  the 
committee:  District  2,  T.  A.  Bradley;  District  5,  John 

Cairns ; District  6,  A.  A.  Adams ; District  7,  M.  P.  Kane ; Dis- 
trict 11,  P.  H.  Penna;  District  12,  J.  A.  Crawford;  District  13, 
W.  S.  Scott;  District  14,  A.  C.  Lee;  District  16,  M.  F.  Flan- 
nagan ; District  17,  T.  Farry ; Wheeling  Division,  Jerry  Meade ; 
District  19,  W.  C.  Webb;  Colorado,  W.  Howells;  District  22, 
R.  C.  Yost;  Alabama,  Frank  Fournier. 

After  the  above  committee  was  confirmed,  President  John 
McBride  addressed  the  convention,  in  part,  as  follows : 

Fellow  miners : I feel  like  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  miners  of  this  country  are  on  strike.  It  has  been  discussed 
in  the  newspapers,  and  I presume  you  have  gained  the  in- 
formation through  that  source  that  you  are  striking,  although 
we  sometimes  refuse  to  be  known  as  such  in  this  movement, 
and  term  it  a suspension  to  procure  a more  equitable  and  fair 
compensation  for  our  labor,  a fair  wage  and  better  conditions 
of  life.  You  have  heard  it  discussed  by  men  in  every  walk 
of  life,  by  outsiders  as  well  as  operators  and  the  last  reports 
are  to  the  effect  that  we  are  desirous  of  ending  it  by  a com- 
promise with  your  employers.  I have  been  approached  one 


Cleveland  National  Convention 


337 


hundred  times  by  newspapers  asking  if  we  would  compromise ; 
asking,  “Do  you  intend  to  make  any  terms  with  the  operators 
based  on  a compromise  of  the  price  asked  for,"  and  my  reply, 
in  every  case,  has  been  that  I was  not  talking  compromise 
and  did  not  intend  to;  (Cheers)  that  we  could  not  permit  in- 
dividual or  sectional  interest  to  weigh  with  us  in  this  matter, 
and  that  no  compromise  could  be  made  on  my  part,  or  on 
the  part  of  our  officials,  until  such  time  as  a convention  of 
this  kind  so  decided  and  agreed  to  change  the  demand  made  by 
the  other  convention  which,  in  Columbus,  had  stated  by  reso- 
lution what  it  should  be  that  we  suspend  for. 

I can  not  help  but  compliment  you  on  the  success  met  with 
in  the  stoppage  by  our  craftsmen  in  such  encouraging  num- 
bers to  secure  living  wages.  I feel  like  congratulating  you, 
not  only  because  of  the  unanimity  of  this  movement,  but  I feel 
as  though  you  deserve  to  be  congratulated  because  you  have 
given  the  miners  of  this  country  what  they  have  been  clamor- 
ing for  for  years,  namely,  the  opportunity  of  acting  in  concert, 
to  prove  their  importance  as  factors  in  the  industries  of  the 
nation,  and  to  say  with  one  voice  that  they  are  not  willing 
to  starve  without  a protest,  for,  whether  you  win  or  lose  in 
this  present  movement,  you  will  win  in  the  next  one,  for 
with  such  a power  as  we  hold  in  well  disciplined  movements 
of  this  kind,  it  is  impossible  that  we  shall  be  forced  to  con- 
tinue to  accept  the  starvation  wages  at  present  obtained 
among  the  mining  craft. 

I say  to  you  this  has  been  the  one  thing  needed  to  give  you 
confidence  in  yourselves,  and  to  bring  success  to  the  mining 
communities,  and  if  you  show  a disposition  to  refuse  to  dis- 
cuss local  issues,  remembering  that  the  interests  of  the  whole 
is  greater  than  those  of  any  single  part — if  you  do  this,  you 
will  either  stand  or  fall  together  in  one  of  the  greatest  move- 
ments ever  experienced  in  the  history  of  mining  in  this  great 
land.  There  must  be  a determination  to  protect  the  interests 
of  the  miners  of  the  Indian  Territory  just  as  much  as  those 
of  Ohio  or  Pennsylvania,  and  we  can’t  do  this  if  we  stop  to 
adjust  local  affairs,  local  grievances  and  abuses  that  have  been 
accumulating  for  years.  We  must  stand  together  in  this 
struggle,  and  in  every  effort,  regardless  of  creed,  color  or 
nationality,  and  every  individual  and  every  district  must  re- 
ceive fair  play,  nothing  more,  nothing  less. 

Some  may  think  that  any  kind  of  a settlement  is  better 
than  none  at  all,  but  I say  you  must  stand  together,  win  or 
lose,  as  to  disgust  and  embitter  the  half  of  our  miners  by  an 
unsatisfactory  and  unfair  settlement  would  be  worse  than 
anything  that  could  be  done,  and  would  simply  result  in  leav- 
ing you  defenseless  in  the  future. 


338 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


After  continuing  in  this  strain  for  some  time,  President 
McBride  informed  his  audience  that  at  the  time  the  conven- 
tion was  called  he  had  good  hopes  for  a better  representation 
of  operators  than  now  seems  likely  to  be  present,  for  since 
that  time  the  Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia  operators  have 
had  a cat  and  dog  fight  among  themselves,  which,  however, 
may  not  have  been  as  real  in  its  malice  as  it  seemed.  He, 
however,  urged  courtesy  and  candor  in  the  joint  meeting, 
stating  that  nothing  was  to  be  gained  by  acrimony  and  ex- 
tremist talk.  At  the  close  of  his  speech  he  received  two  con- 
gratulatory messages  from  the  Knights  of  Labor  and  Laundry 
Workers  of  Cleveland,  which  he  read. 

Moved,  That  the  committee  go  to  work  and  draft  a scale. 
Carried. 

Moved,  That  we  adjourn  until  tomorrow  at  9 a.  m. 

There  being  some  time  to  spare  just  at  this  juncture, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  the  committee  was  not  ready  to  report, 
and  the  convention  being  in  an  exceedingly  good  humor  with 
itself  after  listening  to  President  McBride’s  speech,  songs 
were  called  for  from  the  well-known  vocalist  delegates  who 
were  there,  and,  after  patriotic,  topical,  sentimental  and  comic 
songs  from  J.  H.  Taylor,  Delegates  Dolan,  Anderson,  Thomas 
and  Gay,  and  the  splendid  rendition  of  “Shamus  O’Brien,”  by 
Secretary  McBryde,  the  convention  adjourned  till  the  time 
named. 

TUESDAY  MORNING. 

In  the  absence  of  President  McBride,  who  was  in  attend- 
ance at  a conference,  Vice-President  Penna  called  the  con- 
vention to  order. 

More  delegates  reported  their  presence  and  the  convention 
proceeded  with  its  business. 

The  chair  now  called  for  the  report  of  the  scale  committee, 
and  Delegate  Bradley  then  reported  in  behalf  of  this  com- 
mittee, as  follows : 

Districts  2 and  3 (Central  Pennsylvania). 

Prices  that  prevailed  at  the  beginning  of  scale  year  1893 : 
For  mining  and  loading  coal,  50  cents  per  ton  of  2,240  pounds, 
run  of  mine;  for  ton  of  2,000  pounds,  45  cents.  Coal  three 


Cleveland  Convention,  1894 


339 


feet  and  under,  prices  ranged  from  8 to  15  per  cent  higher. 
Present  price,  40  and  35  cents  respectively. 

Low  G-rade  Division. 

Beech  Tree,  Coal  Glen,  Shawmut,  Brock  mines  and  Clarion 
mines  were  paid  55  cents ; present  price,  40  cents. 

New  Bethlehem,  Long  Run  mines.  Clarion  county.  Pa., 
thickness  of  vein  7 feet,  price  for  mining  until  December  1, 
1893,  65  cents  per  ton,  and  for  two  preceding  years  until 
March  12  60  cents  per  ton.  From  March  12  to  time  of  sus- 
pension for  run  of  mine,  35  cents  per  ton. 

For  Fairmont  the  same  condition  as  the  above,  being  the 
same  company,  except  difference  in  thickness  of  vein,  which 
is  31/^  feet,  and  have  one  foot  of  bottom  to  dig,  also  spars 
and  clay  veins  to  cut  for  nothing. 

Oakbridge,  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  price  paid  for  mining 
for  previous  two  years  up  to  December  1,  1893,  for  screened 
coal,  65  cents ; from  then  until  March  12,  1894,  60  cents ; from 
then  to  suspension  of  work  521/2  cents,  and  brush  down  one- 
foot  roof  without  any  compensation.  Thickness  of  vein  3 feet 
10  inches.  Receive  nothing  for  bailing  water  at  either  of  the 
three  mines.  Markets,  Buffalo  and  Canada. 

Laicsonham  Suh-Districi, 

L.  G.  A.  V.  R.  R.,  Avondale  Keystone,  Brier  Ridge,  Acme, 
Mahoning,  Pine  Creek,  Reimerston,  River  View  and  Monarch 
were  paid  65  cents;  Hard  Scrabble,  Hillville  and  Monterey, 
70  cents. 

Bradford,  Lycoming  county.  Pa.,  No.  5,  75  cents;  No.  3, 
50,  60  and  68  cents. 

Bear  Run,  80  cents;  Antrim,  50  cents;  Long  Valley,  Red 
Beaver,  50  cents ; vein  2 feet  4 inches  and  2 feet  6 inches. 

All  the  foregoing  prices  are  for  run  of  mine  coal,  and  to 
make  the  matter  clearer  it  may  be  added  that,  previous  to  the 
reduction,  the  minimum  price  was  50  cents  and  the  maximum 
80  cents,  while  at  the  time  of  the  suspension  the  minimum 
was  40  cents  and  the  maximum  67  cents. 

Illinois. 

Spring  Valley — Screened  coal,  90  cents  in  winter  and  80 
cents  in  summer.  No  reduction  suffered  up  to  the  present 
during  the  year. 

LaSalle — Screened  coal,  90  cents  in  winter  and  80  cents 
in  summer. 

Streator — Screened  coal,  80  cents  in  winter,  721/2  cents  in 
summer.  The  3-foot  veins  of  Robert’s  and  Bear’s  and  John 
Plumb’s,  95  cents  and  80  cents  per  ton  respectively. 


340 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Grape  Creek — Screened  coal,  60  cents  before  the  reduc- 
tion; for  run  of  mine,  431/2  and  45  cents  per  ton.  At  present 
55  cents  screened,  38  cents  mine  run. 

Danville — All  screened  coal  60  cents  before  reduction;  at 
present  55  cents.  Fairmont,  48  cents  for  run  of  mine  before 
reduction;  at  present,  or  before  suspension,  421/2  cents. 

Glenburn — Last  year  48  cents  mine  run;  at  present  40 
cents. 

Peoria  and  Canton — Screened  coal  75  cents  per  ton  in 
winter,  671/2  cents  in  summer ; 50  cents  run  of  mine  in  summer 
and  55  cents  in  winter. 

Norris  Mines — Always  5 cents  above  district  price. 

Springfield — Run  of  mine,  45  cents  per  ton. 

Braidwood — Screened  coal  95  cents  in  winter  871/2  cents 
in  summer. 

Pana,  Penwood  Shaft — Run  of  mine,  30  cents  per  ton ; ex- 
penses paid  by  company.  Run  of  mine  32  cents  per  ton;  ex- 
penses paid  by  men.  No.  2 screened  coal,  42  cents;  expenses 
paid  by  company.  No.  1 screened  coal,  45  cents;  expanses 
paid  by  company. 

Carlinville — Run  of  mine,  40  cents  per  ton. 

Belleville — Cleaned  in  mine,  1%  cents  per  bushel. 

Duquoin — Run  of  mine,  37i/2  cents  in  winter,  35  cents  in 
summer. 

Oden — Run  of  mine,  30  cents ; chute  coal,  30  cents. 

Centralia — Screened  coal,  561/,  cents  per  ton;  chute  coal, 
50  cents. 

District  11  (Indiana). 

May.l,  1893,  70  cents  per  ton,  pick  mining;  over  li/o-inch 
screen,  flat  bar. 

April  21,  1894,  70  cents  per  ton,  pick  mining;  over  li/o-inch 
screen  flat  bar. 

Clinton,  Rosedale,  Mecca  and  Coxville  were  reduced  16  per 
cent  from  the  above  prices  in  pick  mines. 

District  6. 

Hocking  Valley,  at  beginning  of  last  scale  year,  70  cents; 
present  price,  50  cents.  Jackson  county,  Wellston  district,  70 
cents;  present  price,  50  cents.  Coalton  district,  75  cents; 
present  price,  55  cents.  Tuscarawas,  85  cents. 

Massillon  district  was  paid  85  cents  and  upward  and  have 
been  on  strike  for  three  months  against  a reduction,  over  and 
above  the  regular  reduction  in  Hocking  Valley. 

Latrobe  District  (Pennsylvania) . 

Room  coal,  38  cents;  heading  48  cents;  driving,  $2.10; 
track  laying,  $2.10;  inside  labor  varied  from  $1.40  to  $1.80; 
coke  drawing  varied  from  75  cents  to  80  cents.  When  coal 


Cleveland  Convention,  1894 


341 


was  loaded  by  measure,  room  coal  was  paid  per  100  bushels, 
$1.50;  heading  coal  per  100  bushels,  $1.75^2  > driving  $2.25. 

District  14  (Missouri-Kansas). 

Screened  Coal — Lingo,  1893,  67  cents ; 1894,  62  cents.  Mar- 
saline,  1893,  $1;  1894,  $1.  Moberly,  1893,  55  cents;  1894,  50 
cents.  Wellsville,  1893,  92  cents;  1894,  80  cents.  Martins- 
burg,  1893,  92  cents ; 1894,  82  cents.  Switzer,  1893,  80  cents ; 
1894,  70  cents.  Vandalia,  1893,  86  cents;  1894,  80  cents.  Van- 
dalia  No.  3,  1893,  $1;  1894,  86  cents.  Elliott,  1893,  84  cents; 
1894,  79  cents.  Higbee,  1893,  84  cents;  1894,  75  cents.  Lex- 
ington, 1893,  $1 ; 1894,  621/2  cents.  Richmond,  1893,  $1 ; 1894, 
75  cents.  Fleming,  1893,  $1 ; 1894,  75  cents.  Ardmore,  1893, 
55  cents;  1894,  55  cents.  Mendota,  1893,  79  cents;  1894,  64 
cents.  Deepwater,  1893,  75  cents;  1894,  50  cents;  Rich  Hill, 
1893,  511/2  cents ; 1894,  50  cents.  Southeast  Kansas,  1893, 
70  cents;  1894,  50  cents.  Central  Kansas,  1893,  $1.50;  1894, 
$1.  Burlington,  Kas.^  1893,  $1.17 ; 1894,  $1.  Leavenworth, 
1893,  $1 ; 1894,  80  cents.  Higginsville,  Mo.,  1893,  $1 ; 1894, 
87%  cents.  This  is  for  2,000  pounds  weighed. 

District  19  (Kentucky  and  Tennessee). 

Laurel  District — 1893,  screen  coal,  75  cents  per  ton;  same 
in  1894. 

Jellico  District — Screen  coal,  3 feet  6 inches  and  over,  75 
cents ; 3 feet  3 inches,  80  cents ; under  3 feet  3 inches,  85  cents. 

Coal  Creek  and  Oliver  Springs — Run  of  mine,  1893,  50 
cents ; 1894,  40  cents,  45  cents  and  50  cents. 

Barren  Fork — Screen,  1893,  80  cents ; 1894,  72  cents. 

Strunk’s  Lane — Screened,  1893,  80  cents  where  no  de- 
ficiencies existed;  90  cents  and  95  cents  where  deficiencies 
existed ; 1894,  72  cents  and  81  cents  respectively. 

Glen  Mary — Screened  coal,  1893,  $1  per  ton  in  winter, 
87%  cents  in  summer,  and  25  cents  reduction  in  1894. 

Towand — Run  of  mine,  1893,  65  cents ; 1894,  57  cents. 

Paint  Rock — Screened,  above  3 feet  in  thickness,  80  cents 
in  1893,  and  under  3 feet,  $1  per  ton ; 1894,  70  cents  per  ton, 
and  under  3 feet,  90  cents. 

Greenwood — Screened  coal,  1893,  80  cents;  1894,  75  cents. 

Rush — Screened  coal,  1893,  65  cents ; 1894,  55  cents. 

Stinson — Run  of  mine,  1893,  43  cents;  1894,  40  cents; 
cannel,  1893,  $1.35  to  $1.75;  1894,  $1  to  $1.50. 

Atona — Run  of  mine,  1893,  50  cents  per  ton;  1894,  39 
cents. 

Mt.  Savage — Screened  coal,  1893,  65  cents;  1894,  60 
cents. 

Denton — Screened,  1893,  90  cents  per  ton;  1894,  65  cents. 


342 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Mary  Coal  Company — Screened,  1893,  75  cents;  1894,  70 
cents. 

Willard — Screened,  1893,  80  cents;  1894,  70  cents. 

Grayson — Cannel  run,  1893,  $2  per  ton;  1894,  $1.60  per 
ton ; brushing  and  removing  dirt  included. 

Panhandle  District  (West  Yirginia). 

Railroad — 50  cents  per  ton,  over  1%-inch  screen;  mill 
mines  and  peddling  mines,  371/2  cents  per  net  ton;  run  of 
mine. 

The  Fairmont  region  was  down  to  321/2  cents  per  gross  ton, 
but  since  the  suspension  has  been  advanced  to  40  cents  and 
421/2  cents,  run  of  mine.  Prices  for  those  places  last  year 
were:  Railroad  mines,  screened,  70  cents  per  ton;  run  of 

mine,  471/2  cents ; mill  mines  and  peddling  mines,  50  cents. 

The  Fairmont  region  was  40  cents. 


Maryland. 

George’s  Creek — The  price  last  year  was  50  cents,  run  of 
mine ; at  present  it  is  40  cents. 

Indian  Territory. 

Coalgate  and  Lehigh,  screened  coal,  4 cents  per  bushel; 
coal  over  %-inch  screen,  31/2  cents.  McAllister,  Krebbs, 
Alderson  and  Hartshorne  (winter)  screened  coal,  4 2 '5  cents 
per  bushel;  run  of  mine,  31/2  cents;  (summer)  screened,  4I/4, 
cents ; run  of  mine  3 1/3  cents ; 1-inch  screen. 

Alabama. 

Forty-five  cents  per  ton,  run  of  mine,  for  the  years  1891 
and  1892.  Reductions  on  above  prices  have  been  made  from 
25  per  cent  to  30  per  cent. 

Iowa. 

District  1 — Low  coal  for  summer,  80  cents;  winter,  $1; 
and  intermediate  coal,  64  cents  to  75  cents  per  ton. 

District  2 — Seventy-five  cents  per  ton  for  year. 

District  3 — Eighty  cents  and  $1  per  ton  summer  and  win- 
ter respectively. 

Pomeroy  (Ohio). 

Two  and  one-fourth  cents  per  bushel ; present  price,  2 cents 
per  bushel. 

DuBois  (Pennsylvania). 

Machine  man,  $2;  shoveler,  $1.75;  shooting  and  loading  17 
cents  per  ton,  run  of  mine. 


Operators  and  Miners  in  Conference 


343 


District  17. 

Kanawha  prices  last  year,  2i/^  and  2%  cents  per  bushel  in 
hard  coal  mines;  size  of  screen,  and  2 inches;  present 
price,  2 and  21^  cents.  Soft  coal  price  last  year,  40  cents  per 
ton,  run  of  mine,  over  1/2-iDch  screen ; 56  cents  per  ton  of  2,240 
pounds ; present  prices,  30  and  42  cents  respectively. 

New  River — Last  year’s  price,  50  cents  per  ton  of  2,240 
pounds ; present  price,  40  cents. 

Anstead  has  not  been  reduced  for  several  years;  price,  25 
cents  per  ton  of  2,240  pounds. 

Elk  Garden — 1892,  50  cents  per  ton,  run  of  mine,  of  2,240 
pounds. 

Where  two  prices  (before  and  after  reductions,  or  last 
year  and  this  year)  are  not  given  in  the  above,  it  must  be 
understood  that  the  price  paid  before  suspension  is  the  price 
mentioned. 

The  foregoing  report  was  for  the  purpose  of  instructing 
the  convention  as  to  the  actual  conditions  in  the  respective 
fields,  and  was  accepted,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

At  3 o’clock  President  McBride  addressed  the  convention 
and  reported  that  the  Ohio  and  Indiana  operators  were  un- 
intentionally detained,  and  this  caused  the  . opening  of  the  pro- 
ceedings to  be  delayed.  Then  Mr.  Floersheim,  a Pittsburg 
operator,  attempted  to  address  the  convention,  but  his  atti- 
tude was  so  provocative  of  merriment,  especially  among  some 
of  his  own  colleagues,  that  he  could  not  be  heard  from  the 
clapping  and  ironical  applause.  A few  minutes  having  elapsed, 
the  absent  operators  made  their  appearance. 

Mr.  Zerbe,  operator,  was  nominated  for  chairman  and 
was  elected  and  opened  the  convention.  He  thanked  the  con- 
vention. He  said  this  was  one  of  the  most  important  conven- 
tions that  he  had  ever  attended.  He  advised  action  prompted 
by  generous  and  general  impulses  rather  than  of  selfishness. 
He  referred  to  the  panic  of  last  year,  and  said  that  the  fact 
that  we  were  not  a complete  wreck  was  due  to  the  great  busi- 
ness men  of  the  country.  He  hoped  that  the  convention  would 
follow  their  example,  and  that  they  would  arrive  at  an  ami- 
cable and  satisfactory  settlement. 

P.  McBryde  was  elected  secretary,  and  Frank  Brooks,  of 
the  operators,  was  elected  assistant  secretary. 


344 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


President  McBride  moved  that  the  chair  appoint  a com- 
mittee on  credentials. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Mr.  Morton  and  Mr.  Robins  were  appointed 
as  the  committee. 

P.  H.  Penna  moved  that  a recess  be  taken  for  thirty  min- 
utes to  enable  the  committee  on  credentials  to  act. 

Recess  was  taken,  and  at  the  expiration  of  about  an  hour 
the  committee  on  credentials  reported  delegates  entitled  to 
seats  in  the  convention. 

There  were  operators  representing  300  mines,  principally 
from  Ohio,  Indiana  and  western  Pennsylvania,  but  a sprink- 
ling was  from  West  Virginia,  with  none  from  the  other  states. 

The  resolution  from  Indiana  operators  was  read  as  part  of 
the  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials,  to  the  effect  that 
they  would  not  be  bound  by  the  Cleveland  convention  unless 
some  scale  was  adopted  for  central  and  southern  Illinois  dis- 
tricts. 

Motion,  That  certain  western  Pennsylvania  operators 
present  were  not  entitled  to  representation  on  account  of  their 
intention  not  to  be  bound  by  it.  There  were  Dempster,  Hanna, 
Osborne,  Moore,  O’Neil,  Blackburne,  Snowden  and  three 
others  from  the  same  district. 

Dempster  said  that  they  represented  eighty-nine  mines. 

Moved,  That  we  adopt  the  report  of  the  committee  on  cre- 
dentials. 

Mr.  Dempster,  on  behalf  of  the  unfriendly  Pittsburg  oper- 
ators, claimed  the  right  to  membership  in  the  convention,  not- 
withstanding their  expressed  antagonism  to  its  object  and  a 
determination  not  to  be  governed  by  it.  This  brought  out  a 
warm  speech  from  John  McBride,  and  one  from  Vice-Presi- 
dent Penna,  which,  in  very  meanful  and  burning  politeness, 
showed  the  unfair  position  of  the  operators  led  by  l\Ir.  Demp- 
ster. The  latter  gentleman  claimed  the  same  right  to  mem- 
bership in  the  convention  as  the  Indiana  operators,  who  had 
declared  their  intention  not  to  be  governed  by  the  decision  ar- 
rived at  unless  central  and  southern  Illinois  districts  had  a 
scale  fixed  for  them.  Vice-President  Penna  showed  that  this 
was  not  a parallel  case,  as  the  Indiana  operators  declared  it 


Operators  and  Miners  in  Conference 


345 


was  conditional,  while  Dempster’s  and  the  others  was  an  ab- 
solute declaration  of  war. 

At  this  stage  the  convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

President  McBride  called  the  miners  to  order  at  8 :30  a.  m. 
for  a conference  before  meeting  the  operators.  Some  discus- 
sion took  place  with  respect  to  the  mode  of  procedure.  Presi- 
dent McBride  strongly  urged  the  delegates  to  be  patient  and 
careful  in  discussion  in  the  joint  convention. 

Moved,  That  our  national  officers  and  district  presidents 
act  as  spokesmen  in  joint  convention.  Carried. 

A motion  to  adjourn  was  carried,  but  just  on  the  point  of 
rising  a delegation  from  the  Amalgamated  Association  of 
Iron,  Steel  and  Tin  Workers,  comprising  Messrs.  Carney, 
Armstrong  and  Evans,  arrived,  who  presented  the  following 
resolutions : 

Resolutions  on  Miners’  Troulle. 

Hall  of  Amalgamated  Convention, 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  15,  1894. 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  the  United  States  are  now  engaged 
in  an  heroic  struggle  for  a much  merited  betterment  of  their 
condition ; and 

Whereas,  They  have  acted  with  such  unanimity  and  shown 
such  constancy  as  to  reflect  credit  upon  all  organized  labor, 
and  can  not  fail  to  ultimately  bring  success;  this  noble  stand 
taken  and  so  splendidly  maintained  by  them  deserves  the  en- 
couragement of  all  who  have  at  heart  the  improvement  of  the 
masses ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  iron,  tin  and  steel  workers  of  the 
United  States,  do  hereby  declare  our  unqualified  indorsement 
of  their  action,  and  that  we  proclaim  our  admiration  for  the 
complete,  unprecedented  and  magnificent  effort  they  are  put- 
ting forth  to  win  back,  in  some  measure,  the  rights  of  which 
they  have  been  deprived  through  helplessness  that  rendered 
them  unable  to  effectually  resist. 

Resolved,  That  we  recognize  in  the  demands  of  the  miners 
a noble  attempt  to  force  back  that  unjustly  taken  from  them, 
hence  we  admire  the  courage  they  display  in  their  uncom- 
promising determination  to  compel  the  restoration  of  the 
wages  and  conditions  similar  to  those  prevailing  before  their 
employers  found  the  miners  in  a disadvantageous  position. 


346 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  be  given  to  the 
miners. 

Unanimously  adopted. 

M.  M.  Garland,  President. 

Attest : 

J.  C.  K*ilgallon,  Secretary. 

Moved,  That  the  resolutions  be  accepted  and  made  part  of 
the  proceedings  of  this  convention,  and  that  our  officers  re- 
spond and  exchange  greetings  with  the  Amalgamated  Associa- 
tion convention.  Carried. 

Mr.  Carney  addressed  the  convention  in  a few  appropriate 
words  and  wished  the  miners  God-speed.  Mr.  Evans  and  Mr. 
Armstrong  spoke,  the  latter  saying  his  mission  was  to  invite 
President  McBride  to  come  and  speak  to  the  Amalgamated 
Association  convention.  After  acknowledging  the  invitation 
President  McBride  declared  the  convention  adjourned  to  meet 
the  operators  in  joint  convention. 

JOINT  CONVENTION. 

At  10:30  Chairman  Zerbe  called  the  convention  to  order. 

The  following  operators,  it  was  learned,  were  appointed 
spokesmen : 

Ohio — J.  S.  Morton,  John  Brashears,  W.  R.  Woodford,  H. 
L.  Chapman  and  W.  J.  Mullens. 

Pennsylvania — M.  H.  Taylor,  John  Blythe,  Thomas  H. 
Chapman,  G.  T.  Dye  and  F.  L.  Robins. 

Indiana — W.  Kenner,  J.  R.  Seifert,  Jos.  Martin,  David 
Ingalls  and  J.  S.  Tally. 

The  chair  stated  that  he  w^as  requested  to  announce  that 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  desired  to  present  a resolution  to 
the  convention. 

Mr.  Russell  read  it,  which,  in  substance,  was  as  follows: 
That  seeing  that  the  continuation  of  the  suspension  meant 
disaster  to  trade  and  suffering  to  workmen,  they  called  upon 
this  convention  in  the  name  of  humanity  to  agree  mutually 
before  it  adjourns. 

The  gentleman  paid  a high  tribute  to  the  miners’  organ- 
ization, and  said  it  was  the  only  salvation  of  the  miners  of  the 
country. 


Operators  and  Miners  in  Conference 


347 


Another  representative  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  read 
a similar  resolution  from  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Cin- 
cinnati, one  from  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Trade,  and  others 
from  various  bodies  were  placed  on  file  by  motion  and  made  a 
part  of  the  records  of  this  convention. 

Mr.  Robins  moved  that  the  order  of  business  adopted  at 
previous  interstate  conventions  be  used  at  this.  Carried. 

The  chair  said  the  first  thing  was  the  appointment  of  a 
conference  scale  committee. 

It  was  announced  that  both  sides  had  already  selected  their 
conference  scale  committee,  and  on  motion  by  Mr.  McBride 
the  convention  adjourned  to  permit  the  conference  committee 
to  meet. 

WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON. 

When  the  delegates  assembled  it  was  found  that  the  con- 
ference committee  was  not  ready  to  report.  At  about  2:30 
o’clock,  Mr.  Crawford  entered  the  hall  and  announced  that  the 
meeting  should  adjourn  until  4 o’clock,  on  account  of  the  com- 
mittee not  being  ready.  Four  o’clock  having  arrived,  the  com- 
mittee still  were  not  ready,  and  at  5 o’clock  Mr.  Crawford 
appeared  and  said  that  the  conference  committee  not  being 
able  to  agree,  had  adjourned  to  give  opportunity  to  the  opera- 
tors to  meet  all  together  after  supper,  and  the  convention  ad- 
journed. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

The  chair  called  the  joint  convention  to  order  at  9:45 
o’clock,  and  said  the  first  business  was  to  listen  to  the  report 
of  the  conference  committee.  Mr.  Chapman  reported  on  be- 
half of  conference  committee.  He  said  the  operators’  side 
asked  the  miners  for  their  proposition,  which  was  the  Colum- 
bus convention  resolution,  or  70  cents  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
and  79  cents  in  Pittsburg,  and  that  they  could  not  even  give 
that  as  a definite  proposition  unless  the  operators  would  agree 
to  check  off  assessments  to  maintain  the  men  whose  operators 
would  not  agree  to  this,  and  even  then  not  until  they  had  con- 
sulted the  miners. 

The  operators’  proposition  was  56  cents  for  Hocking  and 
65  for  Pittsburg.  One  of  the  operators  asked  the  miners  to 


348 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


make  a definite  proposition  and  they  made  it  79  cents,  and  the 
committee  adjourned  to  report  progress. 

Mr.  Chapman  moved  that  the  conference  committee  be 
instructed  to  report  a scale  of  56  and  65  cents.  In  doing  so 
he  said  that  there  was  not  a piece  of  property  of  any  kind  that 
had  not  depreciated  in  value,  and  would  depreciate  until  some- 
thing was  done  to  prevent  it.  He  intimated  as  his  belief  that 
a dollar  was  worth  more  now  than  formerly,  and  also  that  the 
permanency  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  depended 
much  on  its  recognition  of  this,  and  accepting  the  proposition 
of  the  operators. 

Then  Mr.  John  McBride  spoke  and  said  that  without 
further  hesitation  the  miners  were  ready  to  vote  on  this  prop- 
osition and  to  vote  it  down  unanimously. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Chairman  Zerbe  called  the  meeting  to  order. 

Mr.  Chapman,  of  the  Pittsburg  operators,  opened  the  de- 
bate. He  said  in  part : 

If  we  met  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  exchange  views 
as  we  did  this  morning,  it  would  be  a valuable  meeting.  A 
year  ago  this  time  the  mines  had  more  than  they  could  do. 
This  spring  conditions  are  changed.  Our  men  voluntarily 
agreed  to  a reduction  rather  than  have  the  mines  closed  be- 
cause consumers  would  not  pay  the  old  prices.  We  must 
either  shut  down  the  mines,  under  present  conditions,  or 
lower  the  price  of  coal  and  thus  stimulate  its  consumption. 
Mr.  Penna  said  that  the  average  wages  of  miners  was  $364 
per  year.  If  you  strike  an  average  among  la'wj^ers  or  doctors 
you  will  get  the  same  result.  Ministers  will  average  $100 
less.  Unless  we  got  labor  from  Italy  and  the  countries  of 
Central  Europe,  we  would  have  no  men  in  this  country  to 
operate  the  mines.  English  and  German  speaking  miners 
soon  enter  other  avocations.  As  a class  the  miners  do  not 
need  commiseration.  They  are  as  well  or  better  provided  for 
than  any  class  of  workmen  in  the  country. 

Mr.  Chapman’s  talk  drew  Secretary  McBryde  promptly  to 
his  feet,  who  said : 

I am  glad  Mr.  Chapman  has  spoken.  The  members  of  this 
convention  can  now  see  one  of  the  authors  of  the  present  sus- 
pension, the  miners  can  look  at  one  of  the  authors  of  the  re- 


Operators  and  Miners  in  Conference 


349 


ductions  that  have  taken  place  and  the  operators  one  of  those 
responsible  for  the  injury  to  the  coal  trade.  He  did  not  break 
his  contract.  Oh,  no,  he  simply  closed  his  mine  and  at  the  end 
of  a week  the  miners  were  ready  to  agree  to  his  terms.  Did 
it  never  occur  to  Mr.  Chapman  that  there  were  others  besides 
himself  and  his  employes  interested  in  the  scale  of  prices  paid 
for  mining?  Did  it  never  occur  to  him  that  the  operators  and 
miners  of  Pennsylvania  had  something  to  say  in  the  making 
of  this  contract?  Did  it  never  dawn  on  his  mind  that  opera- 
tors and  miners  of  Ohio  were  also  interested  in  maintaining 
the  scale  of  prices?  Because  of  the  action  of  Mr.  Chapman 
and  others,  I had  to  go  to  Pittsburg  and  urge  the  miners  of 
the  Pittsburg  district  to  accept  a reduction  from  operators 
who  were  willing  to  pay  the  price  but  whose  mines  were  idle 
through  the  action  of  Mr.  Chapman  and  others,  and  he  now 
comes  to  the  convention  tendering  his  advice.  Were  all  opera- 
tors like  him  I would  advise  the  miners  to  go  home.  It  has 
always  been  our  custom  to  agree  to  a scale  and  the  word  of  the 
operators  and  miners  was  accepted  by  both  parties  in  good 
faith.  But  what  guarantee  have  we  that  if  we  agree  to  a scale 
of  prices  that  Mr.  Chapman  would  not  go  home  and  repeat 
his  performance  of  last  year? 

John  A.  Cairns,  president  of  the  Pittsburg  miners,  next 
spoke,  and  made  quite  a point  on  Colonel  Rend  and  the  ques- 
tion of  the  greater  value  of  the  dollar.  He  said  that  at  one  of 
his  mines  not  long  ago  they  were  treated  to  a speech  in  which 
the  gentleman  dilated  on  the  greater  purchasing  power  of 
money,  and  the  next  day  increased  the  price  of  his  flour  ten 
cents  a sack. 

After  a little  more  cross-firing  President  McBride  asked 
for  a recess  for  one  hour  to  permit  the  miners  to  confer,  which 
was  taken,  the  operators  leaving  the  hall. 

The  miners’  session  lasted  just  about  an  hour.  The  follow- 
ing is  the  result  of  the  hour’s  deliberation,  which  on  resuming 
the  joint  convention  was  read  to  the  operators: 

Whereas,  In  view  of  the  fact  that  a large  and  preponderat- 
ing proportion  of  the  coal  operators  of  the  bituminous  mines 
have  either  contemptuously  or  otherwise  ignored  the  hand  of 
peace  and  conciliation  proffered  them  in  the  calling  of  this 
convention;  and. 

Whereas,  Being  guided  by  the  light  of  experience  we  be- 
lieve that,  in  the  absence  of  those  operators,  any  settlement, 
based  on  compromise,  would  be  utterly  impracticable,  and 


350 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


would  only  add  to  and  accentuate  the  miserable  condition  of 
our  constituents,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  impossible  to  make  any  settle- 
ment here  with  those  operators  who  have  met  us,  and,  while 
appreciating  the  full  extent  of  the  effort  made  by  the  same 
we  ask  their  co-operation  in  bringing  peaceable  and  persuasive 
pressure  to  bear  upon  the  absent  operators  to  agree  to  terms 
giving  justice  to  our  craftsmen. 

THE  MINERS’  SESSION. 

On  Friday  morning  the  miners’  delegates  met  by  them- 
selves, and  after  about  three  hours  discussion,  adopted  the 
following : 

Moved,  That  the  whole  question  be  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
national  executive  board  and  district  presidents.  The  previous 
question  being  called  and  voted  for,  the  motion  was  put  and 
carried,  with  only  one  dissenting  vote,  Mike  Maher  of  Clinton, 
Indiana,  desiring  to  be  recorded  as  voting  no  on  the  motion. 

Moved,  That  when  delegates  reach  home  they  call  mass 
meetings  and  report  the  proceedings  of  this  convention. 

Amendment,  That  result  of  mass  meetings  be  sent  to  na- 
tional executive  board.  The  motion  as  amended  was  carried 
and  the  session  adjourned  sine  die. 

BULLETIN  NO.  7 

UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA  COMPOSED  OF  NATIONAL 
TRADES  ASSEMBLY  135,  KNIGHTS  OF  LABOR,  AND  NATIONAL 
PROGRESSIVE  UNION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  June  12,  1894. 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  Greeting: 

The  following  agreement  was  reached  at  Columbus  be- 
tween your  representatives  and  officials  and  the  undersigned 
operators,  representing  the  districts  named : 

“Resolved,  That  we  agree  that  the  rates  for  mining  2,000 
pounds  of  lump  coal  be  as  follows : Pittsburg,  thin  vein,  69 

cents;  thick  vein,  56  cents;  Hocking  Valley,  60  cents;  Indiana 
bituminous,  60  cents;  Indiana  block,  70  cents;  Streator,  Illi- 
nois, 621/2  cents  for  summer,  70  cents  for  winter;  Wilmington, 
Illinois,  771/2  cents  for  summer  and  85  cents  for  winter;  La- 
Salle and  Spring  Valley,  7214  for  summer  and  85  for  winter. 
Other  sections  in  the  Illinois  field,  at  prices  relative  to  the 
above.  Coal  in  Pittsburg  district  going  east  to  tidewater, 
shall  pay  the  same  mining  price  as  that  paid  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Gas  and  Westmoreland  Coal  Company. 


Official  Circular  Sent  to  Miners 


351 


“This  scale  of  prices  shall  be  in  effect  and  bind  both  parties 
thereto  beginning  June  18,  1894,  and  continuing  until  May  1, 
1895,  subject  to  the  following  provisions: 

“Provided,  That  the  above  named  scale  of  prices  for  the 
Pittsburg  district  shall  be  generally  recognized  and  observed. 

“It  is  further  provided  that  operators  and  miners  shall 
co-operate  in  their  efforts  to  secure  a general  observance  of 
said  prices  named  for  said  district,  and  if,  during  the  period 
covered  by  this  agreement,  a general  recognition  of  the  prices 
herein  named  for  said  district  cannot  be  secured,  either  party 
to  this  agreement  may  call  a meeting  of  the  joint  board  of 
arbitration  to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  those  having 
authority  may  elect;  and  said  joint  board  when  so  called  shall 
meet  and  determine,  if  able,  whether  the  agreement  has  been 
sufficiently  respected  and  complied  with  to  warrant  its  con- 
tinuance to  the  date  named  herein;  if  the  board  is  unable  to 
agree  the  members  therof  shall  select  a disinterested  man 
whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

“If  it  shall  be  found  and  decided  by  process  above  provided 
that  it  is  being  substantially  respected,  it  shall  remain  in  force 
and  bind  both  parties  thereto  for  the  period  stipulated  herein ; 
and  if  found  and  decided  by  same  process  not  to  be  so  gener- 
ally observed  as  to  warrant  its  continuance,  it  shall  be  abro- 
gated and  both  parties  thereto  absolved  from  contract  obliga- 
tions herein  set  forth. 

“Whenever  miners  desire  they  shall  be  permitted  to  elect 
and  place  on  the  tipple  as  checkweighman  men  of  their  own 
choice. 

“Wages  shall  be  paid  on  the  above  scale  semi-monthly. 
All  balances  due  on  pay  day  shall  be  paid  in  cash.  An  inter- 
state board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation,  consisting  of  four 
operators  and  four  miners,  shall  consider  and  determine  upon 
any  inequality  complained  of  as  between  the  different  fields 
named  in  the  above  schedule  of  prices. 

“Signed  on  behalf  of  miners  by  John  McBride,  Patrick 
McBryde,  John  A.  Cairns,  Joseph  Dunkerly,  Cameron  Miller, 
P.  H.  Penna,  John  Fahy. 

“Signed  on  behalf  of  operators  by  J.  S.  Morton  and  H.  L. 
Chapman,  Ohio;  Francis  L.  Robbins  and  M.  H.  Taylor,  Penn- 
sylvania; J.  Smith  Tally  and  Walter  S.  Bogle,  Indiana;  A.  L. 
Sweet  and  E.  T.  Bent,  Northern  Illinois.” 

At  the  joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators  held  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  14  and  15,  no  agreement  could  be 
reached  as  to  the  priqe  of  mining,  and  on  the  16th  the  miners’ 
delegates  met  and  after  fully  discussing  the  situation,  with 
only  one  dissenting  vote  adopted  the  following: 

“Resolved,  That  the  whole  question  be  left  in  the  hands  of 
the  national  executive  board  and  district  presidents.” 


352 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  reason  for  the  passage  of  this  resolution  was : First, 

because  of  the  weakened  condition  of  the  finances,  locally,  and 
of  the  miners  throughout  the  country,  and  their  consequent 
inability  to  bear  the  heavy  expense  of  sending  delegates  to 
the  national  conventions,  and  in  consideration  of  the  belief 
that  national  conventions  could  not  be  held,  and  second,  be- 
cause in  case  of  any  emergency  arising  for  quick  action  a con- 
vention would  be  too  slow  in  operation  to  take  the  necessary 
and  prompt  steps  in  behalf  of  the  interests  of  the  men  de- 
pending upon  us  for  the  management  of  their  affairs,  and  in 
case  it  presented  itself  that  rout  was  inevitable  or  other  mis- 
fortune to  our  movement  imminent,  would  be  too  slow  to  save 
anything  from  the  wreck. 

At  our  annual  convention  in  April  the  representatives 
outlined  and  agreed  to  a policy  by  which  miners  were  expected 
to  govern  themselves.  This  policy  being  one  of  peace  and 
quietness  showed  very  plainly  the  intent  and  purpose  of  dele- 
gates and  officers  alike.  Following  is  the  resolution  adopted : 

“Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  interests  of  our  organiza- 
tion can  best  be  subserved  and  the  purposes  we  seek  to  ac- 
complish through  a general  suspension  of  mining  more  easily 
obtained  by  a full  and  complete  observance  of  law,  the  main- 
tenance of  peace  and  protection  of  property, 

“Resolved,  That  we  pledge  ourselves  and  call  upon  our 
members  to  enforce  the  suspension  of  mining  by  peaceful  and 
law  abiding  methods,  and  should  it  be  necessary  at  any  time 
we  promise  to  voluntarily  assist  in  the  work  of  protecting  life 
and  property  wherever  threatened.” 

Here  is  a plain  declaration  of  our  policy,  providing,  not 
only  that  we  should  refrain  from  violating  law,  but  pledging 
an  active,  energetic  co-operation  in  the  enforcement  of  law  and 
order  everywhere. 

As  long  as  the  miners  engaged  in  the  suspension  observed 
this  policy  of  peace  and  order  there  was  no  doubt  of  their 
ultimate  triumph.  There  has  been  at  no  time,  nor  indeed  can 
there  be,  any  reason  for  setting  law  and  lawful  authorities  at 
defiance  and  indulging  in  violent  demonstrations  to  remove 
supposed  obstacles  or  to  redress  imaginary  wrongs.  That 
violence  has  been  committed,  and  law'  in  other  w'ays  dis- 
regarded there  is  no  doubt,  but  that  our  men  have  been  so 
outrageously  lawless  as  the  press  reports  indicate  w*e  deny. 
Any  violation  of  law,  howmver  small,  supplemented  by  the 
maliciously  exaggerated  press  reports  proved  sufficient  to 
change  and  turn  against  us  a public  opinion  never  too  friendly 
toward  the  laboring  men  when  in  conflict  with  corporate 
greed,  but  pow^erful  for  or  against  any  movement  sufficiently 
large  to  attract  its  attention.  Hence,  wdien  our  men  began  to 
commit  deeds  of  violence,  interfering  wfith  property  rights  in 


Official  Circular  Sent  to  Miners 


353 


stopping  trains  and  resisting  regularly  organized  authorities 
of  law,  and  this  in  persistent  defiance  of  the  officers  of  the 
organization  and  direct  violation  of  the  policy  agreed  on  in 
national  convention,  the  public  thought  and  sympathy  which 
had  been  ours  in  the  struggle  readily  turned  against  us.  Our 
friends  became  fewer  and  less  ardent  in  our  defense,  while 
our  enemies  were  furnished  an  excuse  for  an  assumed  right- 
eous indignation,  and  impartial  observers  could  readily 
recognize  in  the  change  the  beginning  of  the  end.  Your 
president  recognizing  these  facts  and  being  powerless  to  en- 
force discipline  in  our  ranks,  and  believing  that  the  danger 
line  had  been  reached  and  being  unwilling  to  assume  or  bear 
the  responsibility  for  acts  over  which  he  had  no  control, 
called  a meeting  of  the  national  executive  board  and  district 
presidents  in  accordance  with  instructions  given  at  the  last 
national  convention. 

To  this  meeting,  including  in  its  members  the  national  ex- 
ecutive board  and  district  presidents  from  every  district  in 
the  Union  at  which  every  particle  of  evidence  covering  the 
field  of  movement  was  taken,  several  of  the  district  presidents 
came  determined  to  stand  out  till  the  end  for  the  original  de- 
mand, but  on  hearing  from  other  districts  and  putting  the 
whole  weight  of  evidence  into  the  scale  of  their  judgment  they, 
with  the  board,  decided  with  not  a single  exception  to  adopt 
the  following  resolution  which  accordingly  passed : 

“Whereas,  It  is  evident  that  a national  convention  of  oper- 
ators and  miners  cannot  be  had  for  the  purpose  of  effecting 
a general  settlement  of  the  present  differences  between  them 
over  mining  rates  to  be  paid  for  the  next  year ; 

“Whereas,  Operators  in  nearly  all  districts  have  expressed 
a willingness  to  meet  within  their  respective  districts  the 
representatives  of  the  miners,  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting 
said  price ; 

“Resolved,  That  we,  the  members  of  the  national  executive 
board  and  district  presidents,  to  whom  was  delegated  the 
power  to  act  for  the  miners  by  the  last  convention  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  declare  our  willingness  to 
meet  with  the  operators  of  mines  in  the  various  districts  to 
attempt,  and  if  possible  effect,  a settlement  of  mining  prices. 

“Resolved,  That  the  conferences  of  representatives  of 
miners  and  operators  of  different  districts  be  arranged  and 
held  not  later  than  Saturday,  June  9.” 

After  agreeing  to  the  above,  the  question  arose  as  to  what 
terms  the  miners  should  agree  to  in  the  several  conferences 
rather  than  risk  defeat  and  consequent  disaster,  and  it  also 
was  decided  without  a dissenting  voice  that  this  competitive 
district  should  accept  as  the  minimum  price,  69  cents  for  the 
Pittsburg  field  and  the  same  relative  price  for  Ohio,  Indiana 


354 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


and  Northern  Illinois.  The  other  districts  were  provided  for 
in  a similar  manner  according  to  the  conditions  prevailing  at 
the  time  the  suspension  was  inaugurated.  The  making  of 
this  agreement  is  in  line  with  the  decision  of  the  national  com- 
mittee, and  in  the  judgment  of  the  members  of  that  committee 
in  keeping  with  your  best  interests. 

At  the  time  your  national  committee  met  to  canvass  the 
situation  the  members  realized  that  we  had  reached  the  critical 
and  turning  point  in  the  fight,  and  that  we  must  choose  be- 
tween defeat  and  demoralization  or  a compromise  settlement, 
which  would  establish  a better  relative  price  between  com- 
peting fields,  and  thus  give  greater  protection  to  all  interests. 

Our  seemingly  extreme  position  to  not  load  coal  at  any 
price  or  for  any  purpose,  although  justified  by  your  wants  and 
your  interests,  was  turning  against  us  by  the  manufacturing, 
railroad  and  other  coal  consuming  forces,  and  in  nearly  everj’ 
large  city  operators  were  tendered  their  co-operation,  finan- 
cially and  otherwise,  to  assist  in  operating  the  mines  with 
new  men,  and  considering  the  number  of  idle  men  who  are 
ready  to  do  anything  to  stave  off  what  looks  to  them  sure 
starvation,  as  well  as  the  numerous  bodies  of  men  who  are 
apparently  always  ready  to  scab  as  a profession,  it  was  only 
too  evident  that  the  threats  of  many  of  the  larger  operators 
to  operate  their  mines  within  the  next  week,  would,  with  the 
assistance  of  every  lawful  and  unlawful  Winchester  in  the 
country,  and  with  the  prostrate  and  mangled  corpses  of  many 
of  our  craftsmen,  and  the  unjust  and  cruel  incarceration  of 
many  others,  would  become,  alas,  but  too  well  fulfilled. 

With  all  of  the  foregoing  facts  staring  us  in  the  face,  and 
with  hundreds  of  others  which  might  or  might  not  be  impolitic 
to  reiterate  here,  but  which  there  is  not  space  to  deal  with,  we 
have  shouldered,  perhaps,  against  the  protest  of  some  thous- 
ands of  our  craftsmen,  what  we  fully  recognize  to  be  the 
greatest  responsibility  during  this  generation  of  miners,  but 
one  which  we  not  only  believe,  but  positively  know  to  be  in  the 
best  interest  of  our  craftsmen  at  this  time,  the  only  possible 
bad  effect  of  which  may  be  in  you,  our  constituents,  losing 
your  temper  and  withdrawing  from  the  union  that  confidence 
which  you  have  repeatedly  affirmed,  and  which  you  seemed 
to  repose  in  it.  Notwithstanding  the  unpleasant  termination 
of  our  national  suspension,  it  has  very,  very  largely  counter- 
acted in  the  settlement  made  the  evil  effects  of  one  of  the  worst 
panics  of  our  times,  and  with  a continued  and  disciplined  ad- 
hesion to  the  principles  of  your  organization,  and  with  fair 
treatment  to  the  men  who  are  placed  in  positions  such  as  we 
now  occupy,  you  may  confidently  hope  within  the  next  year 
at  least  to  remove  all  of  its  bad  effects.  To  attempt  to  ignore 
the  existence  of  these  evil  effects  is  to  close  our  eyes  to  the 


Official  Circular  Sent  to  Miners 


355 


world  around  us,  to  our  neighbors,  to  business,  and  to  com- 
mercial relations  wherever  they  are  wont  to  be.  But  what 
have  we  gained,  if  anything,  from  our  movement? 

In  order  to  realize  what  has  been  accomplished  by  the  sus- 
pension it  is  only  necessary  to  glance  at  the  condition  of  the 
country  previous  to  the  national  convention  and  its  condition 
today.  Reductions  in  wages  ranging  from  10  to  30  cents  per 
ton  had  taken  place  in  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  West  Vir- 
ginia, parts  of  Illinois,  Indiana  and  elsewhere,  while  reduc- 
tions of  like  amounts  were  pending  in  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ten- 
nessee, Kentucky  and  nearly  every  state  where  reductions  had 
not  already  taken  place.  The  suspension  caused  the  restora- 
tion of  prices  in  the  Fairmont  district  of  West  Virginia  where 
the  men  remained  at  work  much  to  the  injury  of  other  parts 
of  the  country. 

While  we  have  not  been  able  to  restore  wages  to  what  they 
were  in  the  early  part  of  1893,  we  have,  in  many  instances, 
prevented  reductions  from  taking  place,  and  in  others  secured 
part  of  what  we  lost.  Reductions  have  been  prevented  in 
Southern  Illinois,  and  in  Iowa  prices  have  been  restored  and 
the  organization  recognized. 

One  half  of  the  reduction  pending  on  May  1 has  been  saved 
to  the  miners  of  Indiana,  and  a similar  amount  saved  to  the 
miners  of  Northern  Illinois;  in  addition  to  this  the  operators 
from  the  latter  field  have  promised  to  abolish  the  infamous 
contract  system  which  has  caused  so  much  dissatisfaction  to 
the  other  fields.  In  Ohio  an  increase  of  10  cents  per  ton  has 
been  secured,  and  Western  Pennsylvania  an  advance  of  a 
similar  amount.  In  addition  to  the  price  of  mining  the  inter- 
state agreement  has  been  re-established  and  once  more  peace- 
ful methods  of  adjusting  wages  will  take  the  place  of  strikes. 

In  electing  checkweighmen  miners  will  no  longer  be  ham- 
pered by  the  interference  of  the  operator,  as  under  the  agree- 
ment they  will  have  the  privilege  of  electing  a man  of  their 
own  choice  to  fill  that  position,  something  not  heretofore 
enjoyed  by  a large  portion  of  their  number.  The  representa- 
tives of  the  Pennsylvania  operators  have  said  that  some  of 
their  number  are  opposed  to  taking  part  in  this  movement 
because  of  the  existence  of  stores.  If  the  Pennsylvania  opera- 
tors who  pay  cash  and  have  no  stores  make  abolition  of  stores 
a condition  of  their  paying  scale  rates  those  who  have  stores 
will  remove  that  obstacle  by  disposing  of  their  stores  and  pay- 
ing cash. 

While  we  have  not  succeeded  in  accomplishing  everything 
mapped  out  by  the  national  convention  we  have  secured  more 
for  the  men  than  could  have  been  obtained  through  local  or 
sectional  effort  and  in  our  judgment  all  that  could  be  obtained 
by  the  present  movement  under  the  conditions  by  which  we 


356 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


were  surrounded,  and  conditions  that  were  unforeseen  at  the 
time  of  the  national  convention.  Large  corporations  engaged 
in  the  coal  business  had  taken  contracts  for  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  tons  based  on  the  low  price  of  mining.  While  these 
people  are  willing  to  suffer  some  loss  and  give  the  miners  a 
slight  increase  of  wages,  they  are  not  willing  to  pay  the  price 
demanded  by  the  miners.  They  assert  that  it  would  be  a finan- 
cial gain  to  them  to  allow  their  mines  to  remain  idle  during 
the  year  rather  than  to  pay  the  price  demanded  by  the  miners 
and  fulfill  the  contracts  entered  into  by  them. 

Owing  to  the  conditions  of  the  country  for  some  time 
previous  to  the  suspension  our  miners  were  in  a state  of  semi- 
starvation, and  were  entirely  unprepared  to  engage  in  a pro- 
tracted struggle.  The  wails  of  suffering  from  every  part  of 
the  country  are  heart-rending  in  the  extreme  and  while  the 
men  are  ready  to  endure  more  in  order  that  the  present  move- 
ment should  not  be  a failure,  we  feel  that  it  would  be  criminal 
on  our  part  to  continue  in  a struggle  when  we  have  secured 
all  that  it  is  possible  to  secure  at  the  present  time.  We  also 
believe  that  if  the  present  struggle  was  to  continue  for  ten 
days  more  disaster  and  defeat  would  overtake  us  and  it  would 
be  years  before  we  were  again  in  the  position  we  now  occupy. 

Fellow  Miners — In  thus  terminating  the  grandest  effort 
of  combined  labor  that  was  ever  engaged  in  by  any  body  of 
men  at  any  time,  we  know  that  you  are  disappointed  and  as- 
sure you  that  we  share  your  disappointment.  We  believed  in 
the  efficacy  of  general  suspension  and  have  for  years  earnestly 
and  honestly  advocated  it  as  the  miners’  only  hope.  When 
on  the  21st  of  April  125,000  men  quietly  refused  to  work,  you 
with  us  shared  the  exhilarating  hope  that  in  a few  days  or 
weeks  at  the  most  our  battle  would  be  fought  and  victory  won. 
and  as  the  miners  all  over  the  country  joined  our  ranks,  and 
industry  began  to  feel  the  paralysis  resulting  from  our  in- 
action, our  hope  gave  place  to  certainty,  and  a buoyancy  of 
spirits,  worthy  a cause  so  noble,  characterized  our  efforts. 

Our  struggle  has,  contrary  to  all  exceptions,  continued 
until  the  8th  week  has  been  reached,  and  conditions  so 
changed  that  in  our  judgment  makes  the  settlement  necessaiy, 
and  under  the  circumstances  the  very  best  that  could  be  se- 
cured at  this  time,  and  better  than  could  be  gained  if  the  con- 
ference adjourned  without  an  agreement.  To  this  circular 
and  facts  surrounding  this  question  we  ask  your  serious  con- 
sideration, and  that  you  will  not  act  hastily  or  unadvisedly. 
We  assure  you  that  we  did  not  enter  into  this  agreement  be- 
cause it  was  pleasing  or  even  satisfactory  to  us,  but  because 
we  seriously  believed  that  better  could  not  be  got,  no  matter 
how  long  the  struggle  continued. 


6th  National  Annual  Convention 


357 


We  feel  that  much  has  been  gained  by  this  effort  which 
could  not  have  been  secured  by  any  other  method.  We  earn- 
estly advise  that  you  accept  the  conditions  made  and  resume 
work  on  June  18th,  as  provided  in  the  contract.  We  are  so 
confident  of  the  correctness  of  our  position  in  signing  and 
advising  the  acceptance  of  this  contract,  that  on  its  acceptance 
or  rejection  by  you,  we  stake  our  reputations  as  your  servants, 
and  our  further  continuance  in  official  position. 

Signed : 

John  McBride,  President. 

P.  H.  Penna,  Vice-President. 

Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

John  Fahy, 

Cameron  Miller, 

Members  Executive  Board. 

John  A.  Cairns,  President,  District  5. 

Joseph  Dunkerly,  President,  District  11. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

SIXTH  NATIONAL  ANNUAL  CONVENTION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Tuesday,  Feb.  12,  1895. 

The  national  convention  met  at  10  a.  m.  with  President 
Penna  in  the  chair.  The  committee  on  credentials  made  a 
partial  report  that  was  approved. 

By  request  of  J.  A.  Crawford,  R.  Stanton  of  Bartonville, 
Illinois,  was  given  a voice  and  vote  in  the  convention,  after 
which  the  chairman  appointed  the  following  committees; 

Distribution — G.  W.  Lackey,  Dugger,  Indiana;  William 
Nixon,  Dillonvale,  Ohio;  E.  C.  Miller,  Barnhill,  Ohio;  E.  Pipes, 
Linton,  Indiana. 

Rules  and  Order  of  Business — Alexander  Johnson,  Nelson- 
ville,  Ohio;  John  H.  Kennedy,  Terre  Haute,  Indiana;  J.  M. 
Larkin,  Smithton,  Pennsylvania;  J.  W.  Reynolds,  Beacon, 
Iowa;  W.  C.  Warburton,  Coaldale,  West  Virginia. 

Grievances — Mike  Maher,  Clinton,  Indiana ; Sherman 
Glasgow,  Bellaire,  Ohio;  James  O’Conner,  Spring  Valley, 
Illinois;  William  Warner,  Mansfield,  Pennsylvania;  John 
Rinn,  Mahoney  City,  Pennsylvania. 


358 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolutions — T.  A.  Bradley,  Lilly,  Pennsylvania;  William 
Richards,  Shawnee,  Ohio;  John  Cairns,  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania; George  W.  Purcell,  Washington,  Indiana;  Jerre  Meade, 
Wheeling,  West  Virginia. 

Constitution — W.  H.  Turner,  Cambridge,  Ohio ; W.  J.  Guy- 
man,  Springfield,  Illinois;  Robert  Watchorn,  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  T.  L.  Roberts,  Rosedale,  Indiana;  P.  J.  Doyle, 
Pennsylvania. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Penna  called  the  convention  to  order  and  the 
committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  reported  as  folows : 

1.  That  the  convention  open  at  8:30  a.  m.,  adjourn  at 
12  m.,  meet  again  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  adjourn  at  5 p.  m. 

2.  No  delegate  be  allowed  to  speak  more  than  five  minutes 
on  any  one  subject  except  by  permission  of  the  convention; 
nor  more  than  once  until  all  others  have  had  the  opportunity 
to  speak  on  the  same  subject. 

3.  Reports  of  officers. 

4.  Committees  to  report  in  the  following  order: 

On  appeals  and  grievances;  resolutions;  constitution;  offi- 
cers’ reports;  finance;  mileage;  scale  committee  on  machine 
mining;  scale  committee  on  pick  mining;  district  boundaries. 

5.  Election  of  Officers. 

6.  Miscellaneous  business. 

7.  Cushing’s  manual  to  govern  all  parliamentary  usage. 

The  committee’s  report  was  adopted. 

W.  C.  Pearce  was  appointed  assistant  secretary  of  the  con- 
vention. 

The  president  appointed  the  following  committee  on 
mileage : 

John  Fahy,  Barney  Rice  and  R.  L.  Davis. 

The  president  announced  that  the  next  thing  in  order  'was 
the  officers’  reports,  and  that  as  ex-president  John  McBride 
had  filled  the  position  for  nearly  the  whole  term,  the  executive 
board  had  decided  that  he  should  review  the  field  for  the  past 
year  in  an  address  to  the  convention,  and  suggested  he  be 
called  upon  to  do  so. 


President  McBride’s  Address 


359 


Mr.  McBride  then  walked  to  the  platform  and  was  given 
a hearty  cheering  by  the  delegates  and  then  delivered  his 
address : 


ADDRESS,  IN  PART,  OF  EX-PRESIDENT  M’BRIDE. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  February  12,  1895. 
Representatives  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

Gentlemen — Conforming  to  constitutional  requirements 
we  have  met  in  this  our  sixth  annual  convention  once  more  to 
review  the  work  of  the  past  year,  canvass  the  conditions  of 
the  present  and  provide  for  the  future  welfare  of  our  crafts- 
men. The  past  year  has  been  a notable  one  in  many  respects, 
but  its  chief  characteristic  was  the  powerlessness  of  labor 
organizations  to  stay  the  relentless  tide  of  misfortune  which 
engulfed  the  industries  of  the  country  and  carried  ruin  and 
disaster,  sorrow  and  suffering,  into  the  homes  of  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  wage-workers  in  every  known  trade  and  calling. 
That  the  financial  panic  of  1893  was  but  the  prelude  to  the 
industrial  paralysis  of  1894  is  now  fully  understood  by  all  who 
follow  the  trend  of  such  events  in  this  or  in  older  countries; 
but  at  the  time  of  our  last  convention,  when  prices  and  condi- 
tions in  some  of  our  leading  districts  were  in  a chaotic  state, 
we  did  not  know,  but  only  apprehended,  that  calamitous  re- 
sults would  follow  in  the  wake  of  threatened  disaster  to  our 
craft’s  interests ; and  it  was  upon  this  apprehension,  and  with 
a desire  to  stop  reductions  in  mining  rates  where  threatened, 
and  to  raise  them  in  localities  where  they  had  been  lowered, 
that  we  declared  in  favor  of  a general  suspension  of  mining 
upon  April  21,  1894. 

The  causes  leading  up  to  the  declaration  for,  and  the  in- 
auguration of,  a general  suspension — an  extreme,  radical  and 
unprecedented  movement  in  this  country — can  be  traced  to 
the  cutting  of  mining  rates  in  the  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  district  in 
the  fall  of  1893,  and  the  reduction  in  price  followed  in  the 
central  Pennsylvania,  West  Virginia  and  Ohio  fields,  and 
threatened  reductions  in  the  rates  paid  in  the  western  and 
southern  states. 

By  a joint  agerement  between  miners  and  operators  of  the 
Pittsburg  district.  May  1,  1893,  the  price  per  ton  for  mining 
was  fixed  at  79  cents,  but  the  financial  stringency  during  the 
months  of  August  and  September  following  the  agreement, 
and  the  discouraging  and  demoralized  condition  of  the  miners 
of  that  district,  led  to  the  ignoring  of  the  agreement  by  opera- 
tors and  miners,  and,  as  a result,  the  recognized  price  in  that 
field,  at  the  time  of  our  last  annual  convention,  was  60  cents 
per  ton,  while  in  some  places  55  and  as  low  as  43  cents  was 
being  paid. 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


360 

^ The  situation  was  extremely  critical  and  I recognized  that 
ordinary  methods  would  not  effect  a cure,  hence  in  my  last 
annual  address  I advised  that  a general  suspension  of  mining 
be  tried  as  a means  of  securing  and  maintaining  a.  living 
standard  of  wages  for  mining  coal.  When  advising  such  a 
movement,  I comprehended  that  if  it  were  decided  upon  it 
would  be  an  experiment  of  that  character,  the  success  of 
which  meant  great  gains  to  mine  workers,  whereas  a failure 
could  not  make  matters  worse  than  they  were  at  the  time  the 
advice  was  given.  The  convention  decided  that  no  coal  should 
be  mined  for  any  purpose  after  noon  on  April  21,  1894,  until 
prices  had  been  restored  to  where  they  were  on  May  1,  1893. 
Like  “a  drowning  man  grasping  at  a straw”  to  save  himself, 
the  United  Mine  Workers’  organization  decided  upon  taking 
desperate  chances  when  they  declared  for  the  general  suspen- 
sion 

At  the  time  the  convention  met,  we  had  only  13,000  paid- 
up  members  and  a good  standing  membership  of  only  24,000 ; 
and  to  make  the  suspension  of  mining  general  it  was  necessary 
for  193,000  bituminous  miners  to  stop  work,  and  we  had  no 
assurance  that  we  could  depend  upon  any  but  our  own  mem- 
bers. In  addition  to  our  small  membership  we  were  prac- 
tically without  money.  After  the  car  fare  of  delegates  had 
been  paid  there  was  only  $2,600  in  our  treasuiy,  and  out  of 
that  we  were  expected  to  meet  the  ordinary  running  expenses 
of  the  organization,  and  the  extraordinary  expenditures  con- 
nected with  the  sending  of  dozens  of  extra  organizers  and 
agitators  into  unorganized  fields  to  induce  unorganized  miners 
to  co-operate  with  our  membership  and  thus  increase  the 
chances  for  success.  The  preparatory  work  assigned  your 
officials  in  connection  with  the  suspension  was  such  as  to  make 
the  strongest-hearted  of  them  doubt  its  accomplishment,  and 
it  is  safe  to  say  that  we  would  have  failed  had  we  not  been 
aided  by  that  desperate  enthusiasm  which  so  often  springs 
from  despair  growing  out  of  deferred  hopes. 

THE  SUSPENSION. 

At  the  hour  fixed  upon  for  the  suspension  125,000  mine 
workers  dropped  their  tools,  and  the  number  increased  from 
day  to  day  until  180,000  were  idle  at  the  time  of  the  Cleve- 
land convention.  It  was  at  the  time  of  the  Cleveland  meeting 
that  the  movement  for  better  prices  was  at  its  best,  and  it 
was  a keen  disappointment  to  me  that  the  small  representa- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  operators  prevented  a settlement  at 
that  time.  The  failure  to  settle  at  Cleveland  appeared  to  not 
only  have  disappointed,  but  rendered  desperate  many  of  our 
craftsmen,  and  aroused  into  life  and  aggressive  hostility 


President  McBride’s  Address 


361 


many  operators  who,  up  to  that  time,  had  quietly  waited  for 
developments  and  hoped  for  an  amicable  settlement. 

A long  personal  experience  in  mining  affairs  taught  me 
that  violence  in  connection  with  any  of  our  strikes  ended  in 
our  defeat,  and  it  was  with  a view  of  obviating  the  danger 
to  our  suspension  movement  from  such  a cause  that  I asked 
the  convention  to  adopt  (and  it  did)  the  following: 

“Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  interest  of  our  organiza- 
tion can  best  be  subserved  and  the  purposes  we  seek  to  ac- 
complish through  a general  suspension  of  mining  more  easily 
obtained  by  a full  and  complete  observance  of  law,  the  main- 
tenance of  peace  and  protection  of  property, 

“Resolved,  That  we  pledge  ourselves  and  call  upon  our 
members  to  enforce  the  suspension  of  mining  by  peaceful 
and  law-abiding  methods,  and  should  it  be  necessary  at  any 
time,  we  promise  to  voluntarily  assist  on  the  work  of  protect- 
ing life  and  property  wherever  threatened.” 

He  quoted  further  from  a bulletin  issued  June  12,  1894, 
to  the  miners  advising  against  the  violation  of  law  with  com- 
mendable advice  and  said : 

“Your  president,  recognizing  these  facts  and  being  power- 
less to  enforce  discipline  in  our  ranks,  and  believing  that  the 
danger  line  had  been  reached,  and  being  unwilling  to  assume 
or  bear  the  responsibility  for  acts  over  which  he  had  no  con- 
trol, called  a meeting  of  the  national  executive  board  and  dis- 
trict presidents  in  accordance  with  instructions  given  at  the 
last  national  convention.” 

The  power  of  the  national  committee  to  settle  the  suspen- 
sion upon  such  terms  as,  in  the  judgment  of  its  members, 
could  be  obtained  was  conferred  by  the  convention  at  Cleve- 
land in  the  passage  of  the  following : 

“Resolved,  That  the  whole  question  be  left  in  the  hands  of 
the  national  executive  board  and  district  presidents.” 

In  response  to  my  call  for  a meeting  of  the  national  com- 
mittee the  following  members  attended:  John  McBride,  P.  H. 
Penna,  P.  McBryde,  W.  C.  Webb,  J.  A.  Crawford,  W.  B.  Wil- 
son, T.  A.  Bradley,  Cameron  Miller,  and  John  Fahy,  of  the 
national  executive  board,  and  James  Sweeney,  of  Arnot,  Pa. ; 
J.  A.  Cairns,  Pittsburg,  Pa.;  D.  E.  Dick,  Maryland;  Joseph 
Dunkerley,  Indiana;  A.  A.  Adams,  Ohio;  D.  Fisher,  Pomeroy, 
Ohio;  J.  A.  Clarkson,  Iowa;  James  Carter,  Kentucky;  N.  J. 
Beltrand,  Indian  Territory;  Thomas  Farry,  West  Virginia; 
T.  B.  McGregor,  Missouri;  Henry  Flowerseed,  Arkansas,  as 
district  president,  making  in  all  twenty-four  members. 

After  each  member  of  the  committee  had  expressed  his 
views  upon  the  situation  and  the  chances  of  our  winning 
everything  demanded,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions 
were  adopted  without  a dissenting  vote : 


362 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


“Whereas,  It  is  evident  that  a national  convention  of  oper- 
ators and  miners  can  not  be  had  for  the  purpose  of  effecting 
a general  settlement  of  the  present  differences  between  them 
over  mining  rates  to  be  paid  for  the  next  year ; 

“Whereas,  Operators  in  nearly  all  districts  have  expressed 
a willingness  to  meet  within  their  respective  districts  the 
representatives  of  the  miners  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  said 
prices ; 

“Resolved,  That  we,  the  members  of  the  national  executive 
board  and  district  presidents,  to  whom  was  delegated  the 
power  to  act  for  the  miners  by  the  last  convention  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  declare  our  willingness  to 
meet  with  the  operators  of  mines  in  the  various  districts  to 
attempt,  and,  if  possible,  effect  a settlement  of  mining  prices. 

“Resolved,  That  the  conference  of  representatives  of 
miners  and  operators  of  different  districts  be  arranged  and 
held  not  later  than  Saturday,  June  9.” 

In  changing  our  policy  from  the  holding  of  a national  to 
that  of  separate  district  conferences,  it  was  necessary  to  de- 
termine upon  prices,  and,  without  a dissenting  voice,  it  was 
decided  that  69  cents  should  be  the  price  for  the  Pittsburg 
district,  60  cents  for  the  Ohio  district  and  corresponding 
prices  for  other  districts.  It  is  not  my  intention,  neither  is  it 
necessary  to  go  into  minute  details  connected  with  the  position 
taken  by  your  national  committee  relative  to  a settlement ; but 
I may  with  propriety  point  out  some  of  the  causes  leading 
up  to  that  action.  At  the  time  your  national  committee  de- 
cided upon  terms  of  settlement  there  were  no  hopes  of  win- 
ning the  price  demanded  in  the  eastern  bituminous  district, 
because  of  the  fact  that  all  the  mines  in  Virginia,  a large 
part  of  those  of  West  Virginia  and  two  or  three  large  mines 
in  the  Maryland  district  were  at  work  and  were  supplying  all 
the  coal  needed  in  the  seaboard  markets,  and  in  addition  were 
able  to  send  some  into  Ohio  and  Illinois  markets,  and  under 
such  conditions  central  Pennsylvania  miners  were  fighting  a 
hopeless  fight  with  defeat  certain  unless  a compromise  could 
be  effected.  The  truth  of  this  statement  has  since  been  em- 
phasized by  the  defeat  of  the  central  Pennsylvania  district 
and  their  return  to  work  at  the  price  prevailing  at  the  time  of 
our  last  national  convention.  He  quoted  market  statistics 
showing  increase  and  decrease  in  production  before  and  dur- 
ing the  suspension,  and  said:  “This  statement  does  not  in- 

clude the  Fairmont,  West  Virginia,  field,  that  worked  night 
and  day  during  the  suspension,  but  no  figures  were  obtainable 
that  would  show  their  increase  in  production.” 

There  was  no  hope  of  winning  79  cents  in  the  Pittsburg 
district  because  of  the  determined  opposition  of  all  the  oper- 
ators and  the  apparent  weakness  of  our  own  forces.  That  this 


President  McBride’s  Address 


363 


statement  is  true  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  two  large  com- 
panies refused  to  pay  the  compromise  price  of  69  cents,  and 
in  spite  of  our  efforts  and  a protracted  fight  by  the  miners 
employed  by  these  two  companies,  our  forces  were  compelled 
to  surrender,  and  as  a result,  instead  of  the  69-cent  price  be- 
ing paid  coal  is  now  mined  at  45  and  55  cents  per  ton — very 
few  miners  or  operators  now  recognize  the  69-cent  rate. 

The  return  to  work  of  the  Coal  Creek  (Tennessee)  miners 
and  the  refusal  of  the  McHenry  and  Sturgis  (Kentucky) 
miners  to  quit  work  gave  much  trouble  to  the  Tennessee  and 
Kentucky,  as  well  as  southern  Indiana  miners  and  practically 
made  it  impossible  to  maintain  their  prices.  The  late  hour 
at  which  the  Iowa  and  Rich  Hill  (Missouri)  and  the  Arkansas 
miners  quit  work,  and  the  refusal  of  Kansas,  part  of  the 
Colorado  miners  and  a few  miners  in  southern  Illinois  to  stop, 
made  it  difficult  for  us  to  achieve  success  in  the  West. 

Your  national  executive  board  and  the  district  presidents 
were  charged  with  a great  and  grave  responsibility  by  the 
convention  referring  the  whole  matter  connected  with  the  set- 
tlement of  the  suspension  into  their  hands.  That  they  exer- 
cised their  honest  judgment  and  were  prompted  to  action  by 
pure  motives  and  clear  convictions  of  what  was  right  and  best 
for  our  craft’s  interest  is  clearly  demonstrated  by  the  unan- 
imity of  their  vote  in  agreeing  to  the  compromise  price  for 
mining  and  by  the  further  fact  that  only  one  member  out  of 
the  twenty-four  upon  the  national  committee  has  been  known 
to  declare  that  the  decision  reached — to  accept  a compromise 
price — was  reached  through  corrupt  and  dishonest  means. 

It  is  a sad  commentary  on  the  judgment  of  the  delegates 
attending  the  Cleveland  convention  to  think  that  they  selected 
only  one  honest  and  incorruptible  man  and  twenty-three  dis- 
honest and  corruptible  men  to  serve  as  national  committee- 
men to  protect  miners’  interests. 

It  is  generally  known  that  a “chain  is  no  stronger  than  its 
weakest  link,”  and  to  any  one  familiar  with  miners  and  their 
environments  it  should  not  be  difficult  to  comprehend  ^ and 
appreciate  the  fact  that  the  strength  of  our  general  movement 
for  higher  prices  had  to  be  measured  by  the  strength  of  our 
weakest  competitive  districts,  and  it  was  this  standard  of 
measurement  that  guided  your  national  committee  in  their 
work. 

I believe  the  members  of  the  national  committee,  with  one 
exception,  were  prompted  by  honest  convictions;  at  least, 
speaking  for  myself,  I have  performed  my  duty  as  I under- 
stand it,  and  have  no  regrets  to  offer  and  no  apology  to  make 
for  my  official  work  either  before,  during  or  since  the  suspen- 
sion. 

The  suspension  demonstrated  amongst  other  things  that 


364 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


such  a movement  has  accomplished  its  end  whenever  the 
markets  are  cleared  of  all  surplus  coal,  and  an  attempt  to 
prolong  a suspension  beyond  that  point  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  a general  settlement  of  all  districts  simply  means  an 
overreaching  of  its  legitimate  work  and  not  only  courts  but  in- 
sures failure. 

The  situation  is  critical  in  the  extreme  and  in  times  like 
the  present  there  is  danger  from  too  much  legislation  by  a 
national  convention  of  our  craft,  because  our  people  are  too 
prone  to  allow  their  wants  and  their  desires  to  bring  forward 
experimental  schemes  for  relief  of  conditions  which  only  busi- 
ness changes  can  effect.  Suffering  men  scarcely  ever  reason 
with  business  sagacity,  but  rather  jump  at  conclusions,  and, 
whether  right  or  wrong  everything  and  everyone  that  runs 
counter  to  their  desires  is  considered  as  unfriendly  and  hostile 
to  their  interests  and  as  often  condemned.  It  is  to  this  spirit 
of  unrest  born  of  suffering  and  sorrow  that  much  of  the  agita- 
tion against  officials  is  due. 

I desire  to  emphasize  the  necessity  of  curbing  this  virulent 
tendency  on  part  of  our  craftsmen,  because  I sincerely  believe 
that  unless  it  be  done  your  cause  will  be  weakened  by  the  driv- 
ing of  every  honest,  conscientious  man  from  official  position 
in  your  ranks. 

In  conclusion,  gentlemen,  permit  me  to  say  that  your  na- 
tional executive  board  last  month,  w'hen  accepting  my  resig- 
nation of  the  presidency  of  your  organization,  stipulated  that 
I prepare  and  deliver  the  annual  address  to  this  convention, 
and  in  completing  that  duty  I express  the  hope  that  your  de- 
liberations will  be  marked  by  that  wisdom  required  to  ex- 
tricate your  craftsmen  from  the  necessity  of  depending  upon 
charity  to  sustain  life.  John  McBride. 

SECRETARY’S  REPORT. 

The  secretary’s  report  contained  valuable  suggestions  on 
the  necessity  for  renewed  vigor  to  secure  a foothold  in  the  an- 
thracite and  Pocahontas  coal  fields.  He  said  the  year  had 
ended  dark  and  stormy ; that  discontent  and  disunion  were  the 
natural  fruits  of  defeat  and  advised  caution  against  any  ac- 
tion being  taken  that  would  intensify  rather  than  mitigate 
the  deplorable  condition  of  the  miners  represented. 

The  price  of  mining,  he  said,  was  low,  and  in  many  cases 
on  a lower  basis  than  when  the  delegates  met  in  1894,  but  that 
the  membership  was  larger  than  at  any  time  since  the  national 
union  was  organized. 

The  secretary  reported  a total  income  of  $28,847.06,  and 


Reports  of  President  and  Secretary 


365 


an  expenditure  of  $28,350.23,  leaving  a balance  of  $496.83  in 
the  treasury  January  1,  1895. 

After  making  a complete  audit  of  the  detailed  receipts  and 
expenses  made  out  by  the  secretary,  the  auditors  closed  their 
report  as  follows : 

In  conclusion,  we  will  say  that  as  a craft  we  can  be  proud 
of  our  officers  and  the  workings  of  our  secretary,  Mr.  Mc- 
. Bryde,  and  his  able  assistant,  George  Douglas. 

All  bills  and  all  credits  were  on  file,  every  one  of  which 
was  itemized  so  as  to  show  us  where  every  cent  of  the  money 
expended  had  gone. 

Whether  the  present  secretary  is  retained  or  not,  the  one 
who  gets  it  will  go  into  an  office  of  which  he  may  well  be 
proud. 

Fred  Dilcher, 
Charles  Call, 

Auditors. 

The  reports  of  John  McBride,  President,  and  Patrick  Mc- 
Bryde,  secretary,  were  referred  to  the  proper  committees  and 
printed  copies  distributed  among  the  delegates  present. 

After  the  reports  of  the  ex-president  and  secretary  had 
been  received  and  referred.  President  Penna  said:  I pre- 

sume that  it  would  now  be  in  order  to  hear  the  report  of  the 
executive  board.  There  has  been  one  thing  referred  to  us  by 
Mr.  Adams  and  we  have  not  yet  taken  action  on  it,  but  place 
it  entirely  in  the  hands  of  this  convention.  The  following  are 
the  charges  of  Mr.  Adams,  contained  in  the  following  letter : 

Jacksonville,  Ohio,  February  6. 

Mr.  P.  H.  Penna,  President  U.  M.  W.  of  A. : 

Dear  Sir — Your  letter  of  January  29  to  me  received,  and 
as  per  your  request  to  reduce  the  charges  to  writing,  in  com- 
pliance with  Article  VI,  Section  4,  of  the  constitution,  I beg 
to  say  that  I am  determined  that  nothing  on  my  part  shall 
stand  in  the  way  of  a full  and  fair  investigation  by  the  con- 
vention, and  so  I herein  charge  that  the  settlement  of  last 
June  was  brought  about  by  corruption;  that  it  was  in  direct 
violation  of  the  instructions  of  the  national  conventions  held 
at  Columbus  and  Cleveland ; that  the  parties  who  signed  the 
agreement  are  and  have  been  since  that  time  an  injury  to 
organized  labor.  This,  with  the  statement  already  made  by 
me  is  sufficient  for  constitutional  requirements. 

And  now,  sir,  as  all  of  your  letters  to  me  have  been  out 
in  the  press  before  I received  then  through  the  mail,  I ask 


366 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


you,  if  it  suits  you,  to  give  this  also  to  the  press,  as  I am  too 
busy  to  send  anything  more  for  publication.  I am  about  tired 
of  sensationalism,  but  I may  say  this  to  you,  that  the  much 
vaunted  assassination  which  you  talk  of  will  be  explained  in 
such  a way  as  to  bring  discomfiture  to  you  and  your  col- 
leagues or  allies.  A.  A.  Adams. 

W.  B.  Wilson  stated  that  ex-President  McBride  had  evi- 
dently by  a mistake  omitted  one  part  of  the  resolution  adopted 
at  the  meeting  of  executive  board  and  district  presidents, 
passed  at  the  meeting  of  June  5,  to  the  effect  that  no  settle- 
ment should  be  made  until  all  districts  had  a chance  to  settle. 
Mr.  McBride  accepted  Wilson’s  correction. 

The  charges  made  by  A.  A.  Adams  created  a feeling  of 
unrest  among  the  delegates,  and  questions  rather  hard  to  ex- 
plain were  propounded  on  all  sides  until  time  for  adjournment. 

On  re-assembling  Wednesday  morning  President  Penna 
announced  that  National  Trades  Assembly  No.  135  would  meet 
at  about  8 p.  m. 

In  accordance  with  a resolution  passed  a stenographer  had 
been  engaged  to  make  a verbatim  report  of  the  proceedings  in 
which  so  many  delegates  and  officers  had  taken  part,  including 
President  Penna,  John  Kane,  J.  A.  Crawford,  Secretarj^  Mc- 
Bryde,  Cameron  Miller,  John  A.  Cairns,  W.  H.  Crawford  and 
Patrick  Hines. 

While  the  question  was  under  consideration  it  was  sug- 
gested that  Brother  Adams  make  his  charges  more  specific 
against  particular  individuals,  during  which  time  Brother 
Adams  said  he  “did  not  include  in  the  charges  anyone  who 
was  not  in  Columbus  when  the  final  settlement  was  made.” 

During  the  afternoon  session  James  O’Conner,  chairman 
pro  tern.,  presided,  and  resolutions  introduced  were  quite 
numerous,  among  which  was  the  following  by  Delegate  Hines : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  the  verdict  of  this  convention  that  the 
charges  preferred  by  Mr.  Adams  are  not  sustained,  either  by 
affidavit  or  otherwise. 

The  credentials  committee,  not  yet  having  reported  in  full, 
repeated  demands  were  made  for  their  complete  report  before 
any  vote  was  taken. 

The  following  report  was  then  made : 


Proceedings  6th  Annual  Convention 


367 


District  1 — Evan  Daniels,  James  Dorset,  Martin  J.  Kelley, 
John  Rinn,  W.  Anderson  M.  Dougherty,  T.  McGuire,  John 
Bartles,  David  Lloyd,  J.  J.  Quinn. 

District  2 — George  Harris,  T.  R.  Davis,  John  F.  Bowser, 
T.  A.  Bradley,  W.  B.  Wilson,  Barney  Rice. 

District  3 — James  Williamson,  D.  Baughman. 

District  5 — George  Wilson,  Robert  Watchorn,  J.  M.  Larkin, 
C.  Miller,  Patrick  Hines,  William  Warner,  James  Page,  Wil- 
liam Darnley,  C.  Marshbank,  Owen  Cruse,  Adam  Fox,  J.  A. 
Cairns,  Patrick  McBryde,  S.  Allen,  Patrick  Dolan,  T.  Delp. 

District  6 — James  Parks,  Noah  Powel,  James  Hardy,  Fred 
Bysinger,  W.  C.  Pearce,  T.  L.  Lewis,  J.  McGucken,  Richard 
Tippet,  Daniel  Baird,  E.  P.  Miller,  D.  C.  Jones,  E.  J.  Cobb, 
C.  H.  Smith,  William  Nixon,  Allen  Neil,  Ed.  Murray,  Ervin 
Nanna,  Ed.  Lawrence,  F.  Walker,  A.  F.  Spitler,  Peter  Fors- 
back,  John  Adley,  F.  Collard,  H.  Mannenhall,  Amos  Baird,  J. 
Romine,  R.  Spaulding,  William  Mclntire,  Thomas  W.  Davis, 
W.  Watkins,  H.  B.  Jones,  G.  Ashman,  T.  H.  Kennedy,  J.  Car- 
lisle, S.  Longstreth,  Alexander  Brunton,  L.  W.  Powell,  M.  K. 
Learned,  Thomas  Lawson,  Alexander  Johnson,  J.  Thompson, 
James  McKee,  John  Dikes,  Niel  Elliot,  Frank  Tollett,  Gabriel 
Thomas,  Cyrus  Rowe,  W.  H.  Turner,  Hugh  McKenna,  T.  T. 
O’Malley,  Jacob  Collins,  T.  R.  Jones,  H.  A.  Fanning,  James 
O’Hare,  James  W.  Levering,  Robert  Austin,  E.  D.  Elliott,  Fred 
Dilcher,  James  Grinstead,  C.  P.  Goldsmith,  C.  W.  Fisher,  M.  J. 
Beatty,  William  E.  Williams,  William  Richards,  J.  J.  Eddy, 
Josiah  Jones,  W.  H.  Haskins,  J.  J.  Sulzbach,  Nickolas  Hocking, 
John  Thomas. 

District  8 — John  Neal,  John  Hart. 

District  9 — Joseph  Allen. 

District  11 — T.  J.  Roberts,  Abe  Bed  well,  Andrew  Bates, 
Charles  Wallace,  J.  E.  Pipes,  T.  J.  Jones,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  J. 
Gallagher,  Mathew  Raffle,  Michael  Maher,  Daniel  O’Leary, 
John  Kane,  P.  H.  Penna,  G.  W.  Lackey,  G.  W.  Purcell,  W. 
Johnson. 

District  12 — Thomas  Hall,  James  O’Conner,  W.  J.  Guy- 
man,  J.  A.  Crawford,  R.  Stanton. 

District  13 — R.  Duncan,  J.  T.  Clarkson,  Julius  Fromm,  J. 
W.  Reynolds,  A.  Conroy. 

District  17 — G.  W.  White,  Thomas  Farry,  Henry  Stephen- 
son. Jerre  Meade. 

District  19— James  Carter,  J.  W.  Cox,  W.  C.  Webb. 

District  25 — W.  C.  Warburton,  J.  W.  Lawless. 

Convention  adjourned. 


368 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


THURSDAY  MORNING. 

The  president  called  the  convention  to  order  at  8 :30. 

Delegate  Lawson  admonished  the  delegates  to  give  the 
chair  a better  opportunity  of  presiding  by  not  rising  so  often 
on  dilatory  motions.  Mr.  Goldsmith  suggested  that  Mark 
Wild  be  extended  the  courtesy  of  this  convention. 

Mr.  Mark  Wild  took  the  floor.  He  said  that  money  was 
used  in  the  A.  R.  U.  and  that  it  was  used  through  John  Mc- 
Bride and  that  he  (Mark  Wild)  received  some  of  it.  Mr. 
Wild  said  that  he  had  received  $600  from  McBride. 

Delegate  Dolan  asked  Mr.  Wild  if  he  understood  him  to 
say  that  John  McBride  had  got  money. 

Mr.  Wild  answered  yes.  And  that  he  had  got  $600  from 
John  McBride. 

After  Delegate  Hines  had  spoken  in  defense  of  his  resolu- 
tion and  Delegate  Lewis  had  claimed  four  votes  and  a question 
being  asked  on  credentials  by  Delegate  Goldsmith,  recess  was 
taken  to  give  time  for  John  McBride  to  be  sent  for. 

After  a few  minutes  John  McBride  entered  the  hall  and 
took  the  floor.  He  defended  his  position,  and  while  admitting 
that  the  money  part  of  the  statement  was  true,  it  required 
some  explanation.  He  maintained  that  the  strike  of  the  rail- 
road employes  had  been  settled  before  he  gave  Mark  Wild 
money.  He  asked  Mark  Wild  when  he  gave  him  the  money 
and  Mark  Wild  admitted  that  he  had  received  the  money  three 
or  four  days  after  the  strike  was  settled.  Mr.  McBride  con- 
tinued to  show  that  there  was  no  incentive  to  give  Mark  Wild 
money,  but  to  compensate  him  in  more  of  a charitable  way 
than  anything  else,  seeing  that  he  was  a victimized  man  as  a 
result  of  the  strike.  Delegate  Brunton  asked  McBride  who 
gave  him  that  money. 

McBride  refused  to  give  the  name  of  the  donor  to  this 
convention  in  open  session,  but  agreed  to  present  the  whole 
matter  to  a committee  which,  he  said,  the  convention  might 
select.  And  that  he  was  willing  to  permit  that  committee  to 
present  the  whole  matter  in  a report  to  the  convention. 

At  this  point  the  chair  announced  that  the  question  before 
the  house  was  Mr.  Hines’  motion. 


Proceedings  6th  Annual  Convention 


369 


Motions,  amendments  and  substitutes  were  presented,  all 
tending  to  prove  the  desire  to  make  a thorough  investigation 
of  the  charges  preferred,  with  the  following  result : 

Moved  by  P.  Hines,  of  Pennsylvania,  That,  as  delegates  to 
the  convention,  now  believing,  no  matter  what  our  belief  was 
heretofore,  that  having  fully  heard  the  accusations  of  Mr. 
Adams  against  the  United  Mine  Workers’  officials  as  related 
by  Mr.  Adams,  and  also  the  defense  made  by  the  accused. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  the  verdict  of  this  convention  that  the 
charges  preferred  by  Mr.  Adams  are  not  sustained  either  by 
affidavit  or  otherwise. 

The  Hines  motion  as  amended  was  adopted  by  the  follow- 
ing vote : 98  for,  16  against,  and  18  declining  to  vote. 

Moved,  by  Delegate  Stephenson,  That  we  resume  the  reg- 
ular order  of  business.  Adopted. 

President  Penna  now  resumed  the  chair,  and  appointed  as 
committee  on  machine  scale,  Fred  Dilcher,  H.  Watkins,  L.  W. 
Powell  and  Cameron  Miller,  Ohio;  James  Gallagher,  Indiana. 

On  pick  mining  scale  the  following  committee  was  ap- 
pointed: J.  A.  Crawford,  Illinois;  John  Hart,  Indiana;  Alex 
Johnson  and  John  Dykes,  Ohio;  George  Wilson,  Pittsburg, 
Pa.;  George  Harris,  central  Pennsylvania;  Evan  Daniels,  an- 
thracite, Shamokin,  Pa. ; T.  Farry,  West  Virginia,  and  John 
Cox,  District  19,  Kentucky. 

Moved,  by  Delegate  Lewis,  That  the  committee  as  pre- 
sented be  the  committee  of  the  convention.  Adopted. 

Julius  Fromm,  of  Iowa,  was  added  to  the  committee  on 
scale,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

At  the  Friday  morning  session  numerous  resolutions  were 
presented  and  adopted:  Mine  workers  were  not  to  become 

members  of  the  state  militia;  on  adding  a benevolent  feature 
to  the  organization,  with  a proviso  that  the  methods  agreed 
to  be  printed  in  the  various  foreign  languages  used  by  the 
members. 

The  convention  indorsed  the  anthracite  Pennsylvania  anti- 
company store  bill;  the  Coyle  mine  commission  bill,  and  the 
Anderson  weigh  bill  for  the  miners  of  the  Pittsburg  district. 

The  convention  adjourned. 


370 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


In  the  afternoon  Delegates  Kelly,  McGuire  and  Anderson, 
who  had  voted  “No”  on  the  Adams  controversy  the  day  before, 
said  they  “did  not  want  to  be  on  record  as  voting  against 
the  officials;  they  wanted  the  motion  of  Brother  Hines  to  be 
adopted  in  its  entirety.” 

Tom  Davis  gave  a history  of  the  system  by  which  the 
miners  were  paid  in  the  anthracite  regions. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  favoring  eight  hours  as  a legal 
day’s  work  through  the  introduction  of  bills  in  all  state  legis- 
latures, and  that  Congress  enact  a law  making  eight  hours  a 
legal  day’s  work. 

A resolution  was  also  passed  asking  Governor  Altgeld  of 
Illinois  to  pardon  John  L.  Gehr  and  other  miners  unjustly  im- 
prisoned in  the  Illinois  penitentiary.  After  the  committee  on 
constitution  had  reported  resolutions  were  agreed  to,  making 
the  president’s  salary  $1,200  per  year  and  expenses;  vice- 
president,  $900,  and  secretary-treasurer,  $1,000  per  year. 

The  national  executive  board  members  were  to  receive 
$2.50  per  day  and  expenses  when  employed. 

Article  III,  Section  4,  of  the  Constitution  was  further 
amended  by  adding:  “And  anj'’  local  union  or  local  assembly 
that  may  be  in  arrears  for  dues  or  assessments  for  three 
months  preceding  the  month  in  which  the  national  convention 
is  held  shall  not  be  entitled  to  representation  unless  exonerated 
by  the  national  executive  board. 

Resolved,  Any  member  of  the  United  kline  Workers  ac- 
cepting a position  in  or  around  the  mines  other  than  that  of 
a miner  or  mine  laborer  shall  cease  to  be  a member  of  the 
organization  while  holding  such  a position ; this  not  to  apply  to 
co-operative  companies  receiving  the  indorsement  of  the  na- 
tional executive  board. 

This  resolution  was  adopted. 

Permission  was  granted  to  Robert  Watchorn,  as  he  was 
compelled  to  leave  the  city,  to  put  his  vote  for  officers  in  an 
envelope  and  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  the  chairman. 

Convention  then  adjourned. 


Proceedings  6th  Annual  Convention 


371 


SATURDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  opened  with  President  Penna  in  the  chair. 

After  considerable  discussion  and  examination  of  wit- 
nesses, the  following  resolution  was  offered : 

Resolved,  That  your  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the 
charge  of  corruption  against  John  McBride  by  Mark  Wild, 
after  full  investigation  and  hearing  both  sides,  find  John  Mc- 
Bride not  guilty. 

Patrick  Dolan,  Chairman, 

T.  L.  Lewis,  Secretary, 

G.  W.  Purcell, 

John  Neal, 

Miles  Dougherty, 

J.  W.  Reynolds, 

Bernard  Rice, 

James  Carter, 

William  C.  Warburton, 

W.  J.  Guyman, 

David  Baughman, 

Jerre  Meade, 

Henry  Stephenson, 

Joseph  Allen, 

Adopted.  J.  W.  Cox. 

On  motion,  the  committee’s  report  was  concurred  in  by  a 
vote  of  122  for,  and  4 against. 

After  several  resolutions  and  amendments  were  acted 
upon,  the  following  substitute  was  presented : 

Resolved,  That  we  are  satisfied  that  our  officers  have  been 
honest  and  earnest  in  their  work  for  the  miners  of  this  coun- 
try and  we  express  our  utmost  confidence  in  them. 

Resolved,  That  Mark  Wild  be  not  permitted  to  enter  this 
convention  while  it  is  in  session. 

The  substitute  was  adopted  by  a vote  of  226  for  and  731/2 
against. 

On  motion,  the  rules  were  suspended  and  the  following 
officers  were  elected,  Mike  Maher  and  William  Warner  acting 
as  tellers : 

P.  H.  Penna  was  elected  President  or  Master  Workman; 
Cameron  Miller,  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman;  Patrick 
McBryde,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

Convention  adjourned. 


372 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Considerable  time  was  taken  up  at  the  afternoon  session,  in 
balloting  for  members  of  the  executive  board,  after  which  the 
convention  adjourned  until  Monday  morning. 

MONDAY  MORNING’S  SESSION. 

President  Penna  called  the  convention  to  order  and  the  re- 
sult of  the  balloting  showed  that  the  following  were  elected 
members  of  the  National  Executive  Board : Fred  Dilcher,  W. 
C.  Webb,  J.  A.  Crawford,  T.  A.  Bradley,  John  Fahy,  J.  W. 
Reynolds. 

Auditor:  P.  F.  Hines. 

Delegates  to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  conven- 
tion : J.  T.  Clarkson,  P.  H.  Penna,  W.  C.  Pearce,  Patrick  Mc- 
Bryde. 

Alternate:  John  McBride,  R.  L.  Davis,  James  O’Conner, 
Evan  Daniels. 

It  was  moved  that  the  convention  confirms  the  action  of 
National  Trades  Assembly  135  in  withdrawing  from  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Knights  of  Labor.  Motion  was  adopted 
and  the  convention  adjourned. 

At  the  afternoon  session  the  committee  on  scale  advised 
that  the  matter  be  deferred  for  future  consideration,  which 
was  agreed  to. 

A resolution  was  passed  that  the  annual  convention  be 
held  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  April,  1896.  Report  of  A.  F. 
of  L.  delegates  read  and  accepted,  and  a well  deserved  tribute 
of  respect  paid  to  Michael  F.  Moran,  deceased,  as  follows : 

Whereas,  Since  we  last  met  in  annual  convention  death 
has  invaded  our  ranks  and  removed  one  of  our  most  energetic 
workers,  Michael  Moran,  of  Wheeling,  West  Virginia;  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  our  heartfelt  sjunpathy  to  his 
wife  and  family,  and  that  we  request  all  delegates  present, 
that,  when  they  return  home,  they  call  the  attention  of  their 
locals  to  the  fact  that  after  all  the  work  done  by  our  late 
brother,  Michael  F.  Moran,  for  our  organization,  his  family 
is  destitute  and  we  ought  to  extend  to  them  practical  sjunpathy 
in  the  way  of  financial  aid,  and  that  all  aid  be  sent  to  the  gen- 
eral office. 


Convention  Sub-District  1,  District  6 


373 


The  sentiments  expressed  in  the  addresses  made  by  ex- 
President  McBride  and  Secretary  McBryde  were  indorsed, 
the  delegates’  mileage  paid,  after  which  a few  matters  left  over 
were  referred  to  the  executive  board  and  the  convention  ad- 
journed. 

P.  H.  Penna,  President  or  Master  Workman, 
Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  SUB-DISTRICT  1, 
DISTRICT  6. 

Meeting  and  proceedings  of  the  second  annual  convention 
of  Sub-district  1 of  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, held  in  the  Knights  of  Labor  Opera  House,  Shawnee,  Ohio, 
March  5 and  6,  1895.  Owing  to  the  absence  of  Isaac  Jones, 
President,  the  convention  was  called  to  order  by  John  J.  Eddy, 
Vice-President,  and  I.  N.  Coleman,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed : On  creden- 

tials, Thomas  Taylor,  New  Straitsville ; G.  W.  Pearce,  Nelson- 
ville;  Brearley  Bennett,  Jacksonville. 

On  election  of  officers,  J.  D.  Gilliam,  Glenn  Ebon;  J.  T. 
Joyce,  Shawnee;  Samuel  Peach,  Glouster. 

On  rules  and  order  of  business,  J.  L.  Sargent,  Buchtel; 
James  Pritchard,  Hemlock;  J.  W.  Romine,  Dicksonton. 

The  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  made  the  fol- 
lowing report: 

1.  Report  of  committee  on  credentials. 

2.  Report  of  committee  on  election  of  officers. 

3.  The  convention  to  adjourn  at  12  m.,  to  convene  at  1 

p.  m. 

4.  The  report  of  committee  on  resolutions. 

5.  That  no  delegate  speak  more  than  once  on  the  same 
question  without  permission  of  the  chair,  and  all  speeches  to 
be  limited  to  five  minutes. 

J.  L.  Sargent, 

James  Pritchard, 

J.  W.  Romine, 

Committee. 

After  adopting  the  report  of  the  committee  on  rules  and 
order  of  business,  the  convention  adjourned. 


374 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Convention  convened  at  1 o’clock  p.  m.,  with  Isaac  Jones, 
President,  in  the  chair.  The  chairman  appointed  the  follow- 
ing committees : 

On  Resolutions — Robert  Gollop,  G.  W.  Walker,  Lewis 
Vaughn,  Michael  Sweeney,  Harry  Jones. 

On  Grievances — D.  S.  Edwards,  Henry  Colley,  S.  R.  Helm, 
John  Terry,  George  Wend. 

On  Constitution — George  Scott,  Brearley  Bennett,  J.  W. 
Pearce,  James  Pritchard,  Isaac  Decker. 

Auditing  Committee — D.  S.  Edwards,  Henry  Colley,  S.  R. 
Helm,  Brearley  Bennett. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials 
of  delegates  entitled  to  a seat  and  vote  in  this  convention; 
George  Wend,  G.  W.  Pearce,  Lewis  Vaughn,  Nelsonville; 
James  Pritchard,  Hemlock;  J.  W.  Pearce,  Blatchford;  J.  D. 
Gilliam,  Hamley  Run ; D.  S.  Edwards,  George  Scott,  W.  Shell- 
ton,  John  T.  Joyce,  Edward  Davis,  Harry  Jones,  Robert  Gol- 
lop, Michael  Gallagher,  John  Vaughn,  George  Moulton,  Samuel 
Philips,  Shawnee;  George  W.  Walker,  Roseville;  J.  W.  Butter- 
worth,  Monday;  S.  R.  Helm,  New  Pittsburg;  Samuel  Peach, 
Derthick;  Henry  Colley,  Hollister;  James  Conkel,  Sand  Run; 
Thomas  Taylor,  Straitsville ; John  Romine,  Dicksonton;  Zoath 
Hammond,  Murray  City;  J.  S.  Sargent,  Buchtel;  Brearley 
Bennett,  Jacksonville;  Michael  Sweeney,  Daleton;  John  Terry, 
Lost  Run;  Isaac  Decker,  Utley;  Isaac  Jones,  Glouster. 

Brearley  Bennett, 
Thomas  Taylor, 

G.  W.  Pearce,- 

Committee. 

Total  number  of  delegates,  32 ; members  represented,  4,120. 

At  the  opening  of  the  convention  the  delegates  from  Dick- 
sonton, Hemlock,  Derthick  and  Utley  presented  their  votes  of 
their  respective  locals  for  sub-district  officers  and  members  of 
the  executive  board. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  elections : 

For  President  of  Sub-District  1 — W.  E.  Farms. 

For  Vice-President — John  J.  Eddy. 

For  Secretary-Treasurer — W.  H.  Haskins. 

For  Member  of  Executive  Board — W.  H.  Crawford. 


Convention  Sub-District  1,  District  6 


375 


Moved,  That  the  report  be  accepted.  Adopted. 

Motion,  That  the  election  of  W.  E.  Farms  as  President, 
John  J.  Eddy  as  Vice-President,  and  W.  H.  Haskins  as  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer be  made  unanimous.  Adopted. 

Report  of  committee  on  constitution  was  acted  upon  seri- 
atim. 

Motion,  That  the  constitution  be  adopted  as  a whole. 
Adopted. 

Motion,  That  the  convention  go  into  executive  session  on 
discussion  of  contract  and  lease  system  of  mining.  Adopted. 

The  following  resolutions  were  agreed  to : 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates  now  assembled  in  conven- 
tion, demand  that  our  national,  state  and  sub-district  officials 
see  that  the  scale  prices  for  mining  and  mine  labor  agreed 
upon  by  the  operators  and  miners’  officials  be  lived  up  to  at 
all  mines  during  the  present  scale  year ; 

That  the  district  and  sub-district  officers  meet  together  and 
formulate  a scale  of  prices  to  govern  all  coal  below  a certain 
height ; 

That  the  question  of  docking  be  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
district  and  sub-district  officers  to  formulate  a uniform  system 
of  docking  throughout  the  sub-district ; 

That  where  an  operator  owns  or  controls  more  than  one 
mine  that  on  the  closing  down  of  one  mine  he  or  they  shall  dis- 
tribute the  men  in  the  other  mine. 

Whereas,  We,  as  representatives  of  the  miners  of  the  four 
counties,  Muskingum,  Perry,  Hocking,  and  Athens,  are  here 
assembled  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  our  future  welfare 
and  home  comfort,  knowing  full  well  and  keenly  feeling  the 
deplorable  condition  of  our  craft,  also  sensible  to  the  fact  that 
by  the  force  of  circumstances  we  are  so  hemmed  in  that  it  is 
little,  indeed,  we  can  do  to  extricate  ourselves  from  this  very 
undesirable  state  of  affairs,  and 

Whereas,  we,  as  a body  of  miners,  bearing  and  forbearing, 
hoping  against  hope,  have  been  dragging  out  an  existence  un- 
worthy the  name  of  living  for  many,  many  months,  looking 
forward  for  a clearer  sky,  and  more  prosperous  times,  but  as 
yet  there  is  no  rift  in  the  clouds.  While  we  dee'ply  deplore 
such  a state  of  stagnation,  and  while  it  is  painful  in  the  ex- 
treme to  be  robust  and  able-bodied  and  not  able  to  find  em- 
ployment, yet  such  is  the  case;  we  are  children  of  circum- 
stances in  this  particular  over  which  we  have  no  control.  But 
we,  as  miners,  know  as  soon  as  our  condition  became  known, 
just  as  soon  as  it  reached  the  throbbing  hearts  of  our  fellow 
citizens  through  the  call  of  our  worthy  governor,  W.  McKin- 


376 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ley,  without  hesitancy,  without  a murmur,  came  the  hearty  re- 
sponse of  our  fellow  citizens ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  extend  to  all,  from  the  gov- 
ernor down  to  the  smallest  child  who  gave  or  took  any  part 
in  our  welfare,  the  deepest  expression  of  our  thanks  and  ap- 
preciation ; hoping,  however,  that  in  the  very  near  future  trade 
will  revive  and  the  country  in  general  settle  down  to  a normal 
condition,  so  that  we  all  can  be  self-supporting. 

Resolved,  That  all  locals  in  Sub-district  1 be  compelled  to 
pay  their  dues  to  the  sub-district  secretary,  according  to  the 
amount  of  per  capita  tax  stated  in  the  constitution.  All  locals 
failing  to  pay  their  dues  to  the  sub-district  will  not  be  allowed 
a vote  or  voice  in  the  state  convention  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  telegram  be  sent  to  the  miners 
of  District  No.  5 : 


“Shawnee,  Ohio,  March  6,  1895. 

“To  John  Cairns,  President  of  District  5,  U.  M.  W.  of  A.,  Pitts- 
burg, Pa. : 

“We  the  miners  of  Athens,  Hocking,  Perry  and  Muskingum 
counties,  composing  Sub-district  1 of  District  6,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  in  convention  assembled,  send  congratu- 
lations to  the  miners  of  District  5 for  the  stand  they  have 
taken  to  enforce  the  69-cent  scale  rate.  Wishing  them  success, 

“Yours  fraternally, 

“Isaac  Jones,  President. 

“John  J.  Eddy,  Vice-President, 

“I.  N.  Coleman,  Secretary-Treasurer.” 

We,  your  committee,  having  audited  the  secretary -treas- 
urer’s books,  beg  leave  to  report  as  follows : Balance  in  treas- 
ury third  quarter,  $114.69;  receipts  from  all  locals,  $227.95; 
total,  $342.64. 

Expenditures — Isaac  Jones,  services,  $40.75;  John  J.  Eddy, 
$107.55 ; I.  N.  Coleman,  expenses  and  sundries,  $100.07 ; de- 
ducting expenditures,  $257.37,  leaves  a balance  of  $85.27. 

D.  S.  Edwards, 

B.  Bennett, 

S.  R.  Helm, 

Auditing  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  three  copies  of  the  sub-district  constitution 
be  sent  to  each  local. 


Iowa  Joint  Conference,  1895 


377 


The  next  semi-annual  convention  of  Sub-district  No.  1 of 
District  6 will  be  held  in  New  Straitsville,  September  3,  1895. 
Isaac  Jones,  President, 

John  J.  Eddy,  Vice-President, 

I.  N.  Coleman,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

Convention  adjourned. 

IOWA  JOINT  CONFERENCE. 

Ottumwa,  Iowa,  March  29,  1895. 

At  a conference  of  miners  and  operators  held  in  this  city 
today  it  was  practically  decided  to  call  out  6,000  miners  now 
working  in  the  mines  of  forty-two  operators  who  refuse  to 
pay  the  1894  scale  of  prices,  80  cents  and  $1  for  mining  coal. 
The  operators  in  the  conference,  twenty-three  in  number,  will 
pay  this  scale.  The  men  who  will  strike  are  mostly  in  Appa- 
noose, Boone  and  Polk  counties. 

This  strife  is  not  only  between  the  miners  in  certain  parts 
of  the  state,  but  among  the  operators  themselves.  The  most 
of  the  trouble  is  in  the  Appanoose  district,  where  all  the 
companies  but  the  Whitebreast  and  Centerville  Block  com- 
panies have  posted  notices  that,  beginning  April  1,  the  scale 
would  be  70  cents  for  the  summer.  Companies  like  those 
mentioned  and  those  about  Ottumwa,  who  are  paying  the 
standard  scale  of  wages,  object  seriously  to  the  competition 
of  those  companies  in  the  Appanoose,  Polk  and  Boone  dis- 
tricts, who  pay  but  70  and  80  cents.  Julius  Fromm,  Seymour; 
J.  W.  Reynolds,  Beacon;  T.  J.  Cavanaugh,  and  L.  Clark- 
son, Foster,  represented  the  miners,  being  the  executive 
committee  of  District  13,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 
The  operators  were  George  W.  Trear,  vice-president  of  the 
Whitebreast  Fuel  Company;  H.  L.  Waterman,  general  man- 
ager of  the  Wapello  Coal  Company;  Henry  Phillips,  president 
of  the  Phillips  Fuel  Company;  Alexander  Dargavle  of  the 
Centerville  Block  Coal  Company;  John  C.  Evans,  Smoky  Hol- 
low Coal  Company,  and  T.  J.  Phillips,  general  superintendent 
of  the  Whitebreast  Company. 

The  meeting  was  for  the  purpose  of  indorsing  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  minority  convention  held  at  Des  Moines, 
March  7,  when  23  operators  wanted  to  return  to  the  scale  of 


378 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


1894 — viz.,  80  cents  and  $1 — for  mining  coal,  and  40  were  in 
favor  of  a uniform  scale  of  70  and  80  cents  all  over  the  state. 
The  operators  were  so  emphatic  in  their  ratification  of  their 
former  stand  that  the  miners  are  sure  of  their  moral  support 
in  the  coming  crisis. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

SIXTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  DISTRICT  SIX. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  2,  1895. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  10:30  by  President  Adams. 

The  first  business  was  the  report  of  the  committee  on 
credentials,  who,  making  a partial  report,  recommended  the 
adoption  of  what  they  had  read,  saying  they  would  hold  the 
contested  seats  till  later  on.  A good  deal  of  discussion  took 
place  on  the  question  of  representation  of  No.  4 mine,  Jackson- 
ville. 

Motion,  That  both  delegates  be  seated  and  the  vote  be 
divided  equally  between  them.  Adopted. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  a case  from 
Shawnee  of  a contested  delegation. 

Chairman  Farms  said  that  it  appears  that  four  of  the 
delegates  from  Shawnee  were  elected  by  the  mass  meeting 
from  one  mine.  This  was  not  satisfactory  and  the  other 
miners  had  held  meetings  and  elected  other  delegates;  all  the 
credentials  had  the  seal  on  and  the  committee  placed  the 
matter  before  the  convention. 

John  Nugent  explained  his  own  case  and  that  of  two 
other  delegates.  A delegate  objected  to  Nugent  speaking  in 
the  convention  on  the  grounds  of  not  being  a member  of  the 
organization.  Nugent  vehemently  denied  that  he  was  not  a 
member  and  was  allowed  to  proceed  by  the  chairman.  He 
said  that  he  represented  men  who  were  engaged  in  leased 
mines,  thinking  that  that  matter  would  come  up  and  they 
wanted  to  be  heard  on  this  subject.  He  said  he  was  willing 
to  leave  the  five  delegates  elected  at  the  mass  meeting  on  all 
matters  except  the  question  of  the  lease  system. 


Sixth  Annual  Ohio  Convention 


379 


He  said,  if  this  convention  said  that  the  co-operative  or 
lease  system  should  continue  they  would  continue  it,  but  if 
not,  they  were  willing  to  quit.  He  said  he  was  not  now  em- 
ployed by  Mr.  Turney,  but  was  president  of  a co-operative 
company  at  Shawnee,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Jones  asked  Mr.  Nugent  the  question:  Will  you,  Mr. 
Nugent,  if  the  co-operative  company  falls  through  at  the  XX 
mine,  then  go  back  and  work  for  Mr.  Turney? 

Mr.  Nugent  answered  that  he  had  no  string  to  Mr.  Turney, 
and  that  if  the  XX  mine  did  not  start  up  by  May  1 he  would 
have  to  go  to  other  parts  to  look  for  a job. 

Mr.  Jones  said  he  was  willing  to  give  the  other  delegates 
seats  if  possible. 

Delegate  Moulton  denied  that  XX  was  a co-operative  mine. 
He  said  the  number  of  men  there  was  limited  to  100  men,  who 
had  deposited  $5  each. 

Moved,  That  each  mine  be  allowed  to  cast  its  vote  sepa- 
rately from  Shawnee.  Adopted. 

Motion  to  adopt  committee’s  report  on  credentials,  was 
carried. 

Following  is  a list  of  delegates : J.  B.  Hutchinson,  E.  H. 
Elliott,  James  Sutton,  G.  W.  Pearce,  Alex.  Dunlap,  Wm.  Mc- 
Intyre, John  N.  Davis,  John  Whalen,  Henry  Shires,  John 
Lewis,  Sherman  Glasgow,  E.  A.  Evans,  L.  Albaugh,  W.  H. 
Householder,  R.  F.  Wallace,  Geo.  Stanford,  T.  L.  Lewis,  J.  W. 
Romine,  Alex  Brunton,  James  P.  Turvey,  James  Valentine, 
C.  P.  Ray,  W.  H.  Haskins,  James  McKee,  Michael  Ratchford, 
F.  Tollett,  Esrial  Richards,  T.  T.  O’Malley,  T.  B.  Skinner,  T. 
B.  Patrick,  Jenkin  Reece,  Robert  Austin,  James  Carlisle, 
Richard  Jenkins,  Donald  McDonald,  Ralph  Mason,  Wm.  P. 
Friday,  Jacob  Collins,  Neal  Elliott,  W.  C.  Pearce,  W.  H.  Craw- 
ford, L.  W.  Powell,  M.  K.  Learned,  Samuel  Dorn,  C.  L.  Kimes, 
J.  W.  Fickle,  W.  H.  Turner,  John  Carr,  R.  L.  Davis,  James 
Hennesy,  T.  R.  Jones,  Elza  McCullough,  Wm.  Simons,  David 
Murray,  W.  Swiers,  John  Lenox,  W.  E.  Steadman,  W.  E. 
Farms,  John  H.  Barnes,  Richard  Neason,  Geo.  Ashman, 
Cameron  Miller,  H.  A.  Banning,  R.  R.  Channell,  Brearley 
Bennett,  John  Griffiths,  Benjamin  Evans,  Lewis  Harris,  Wil- 
liam Richards,  Geo.  W.  Moulton,  David  J.  Jones,  F.  R.  Me- 


380 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Lean,  Charles  Bailey,  Thomas  J.  Davis,  W.  H.  Gallagher, 
Peter  Smith,  John  Myers,  C.  C.  Chaney,  Jas.  Pritchard,  Jos. 
Sanderson,  Nat  Skiles,  George  Stanford,  G.  S.  Thompson, 
John  Myers,  John  Thomas,  Thomas  Moulton,  Henry  Ham- 
mond, Harry  Jones,  A.  B.  Ferguson. 

The  chair  appointed  committee  on  order  of  business  as 
follows;  Nat  Skiles,  J.  B.  Hutchinson,  John  Myers,  James 
McKee  and  Wm.  P.  Friday. 

Moved  to  adjourn.  Adopted. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Adams  called  the  convention  to  order  and  the 
committee  on  order  of  business  reported  as  follows : 

1.  Time  of  meeting,  8 a.  m. ; adjourn,  12  noon;  recon- 
vene, 1 :30  p.  m. ; adjourn,  5 p.  m. 

2.  Report  of  committee  on  credentials. 

3.  Report  of  officers  and  report  of  auditing  committee. 

4.  Report  of  committee  on  resolutions. 

5.  Report  of  committee  on  grievances. 

6.  Report  of  committee  on  constitution. 

7.  Election  of  officers. 

8.  Report  of  committee  on  leased  mines. 

9.  Report  of  committee  on  scale. 

10.  Miscellaneous  business. 

11.  No  delegate  be  allowed  to  speak  on  any  question  more 
than  5 minutes. 

Report  of  committee  adopted. 

The  following  telegram  was  received  by  President  Adams : 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  April  2,  1895. 

A.  A.  Adams,  Miners’  Convention,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Executive  board  meeting  District  No.  5 preparing  for 
victory.  Wish  your  convention  harmonious  success. 

John  A.  Cairns. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  committee  on  resolu- 
tions: Henry  Shires,  H.  A.  Banning,  S.  Glasgow,  John 

Thomas,  Geo.  Ashman. 

On  constitution:  W.  H.  Crawford,  Peter  Smith,  John  L. 
Davis,  James  Ballantine,  C.  L.  Kimes. 

The  report  of  President  Adams  was  read  and  gave  a de- 
tailed account  of  his  work  in  adjusting  differences,  and  the 
report  of  Secretary  Pearce  dealt  largely  with  the  financial 


Sixth  Annual  Ohio  Convention 


381 


condition  of  district  No.  6 as  per  the  following  report  made 
by  the  auditors : 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  2,  1895. 

To  the  Miners  of  Ohio,  Greeting : 

In  compliance  with  the  resolution  adopted  at  our  annual 
convention  held  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  April  1891,  we  the  com- 
mittee chosen  for  that  purpose  have  audited  the  books  and 
accounts  of  Mr.  W.  C.  Pearce,  secretary-treasurer,  for  the 
half  year  ending  March  31,  1895,  and  find  the  same  to  be 
correct  in  every  particular.  The  total  income  for  the  last  year, 
we  find  to  be  $5,801.48 ; total  expenses,  $5,370.77 ; balance  on 
hand  April  1,  1895,  $430.71. 

In  submitting  this  report,  this  committee  begs  leave  to 
congratulate  the  miners  of  Ohio  on  their  financial  standing 
as  compared  with  the  last  report  October  1,  1894.  We  also 
found  the  books  of  the  secretary  kept  in  a neat  and  orderly 
manner.  All  bills  were  itemized  according  to  the  constitu- 
tion and  found  correct.  And  we  believe  the  business  of  the 
organization  was  conducted  economically  and  to  ihe  best 
interests  of  all  the  members. 

John  Phillipson, 

A.  J,  Carr, 

Henry  Mullen, 

Auditing  Committee. 

• 

Committees  were  appointed  as  follows : 

On  officers’  reports:  Brearly  Bennett,  Robert  Wallace, 

T.  L.  Lewis. 

On  Scale:  For  Sub-district  1,  H.  A.  Banning,  Richard 

Newsham;  2,  Henry  Shires,  T.  R.  Jones;  3,  M.  Ratchford,  J. 
N.  Davis ; 4,  James  Ballantine ; 5,  Frank  Tollett. 

On  Grievance:  William  Farms,  R.  E.  Jones,  George 

Staunton,  T.  B.  Patrick,  R.  L.  Davis. 

On  train  fare  rebate : P.  McBryde,  T.  L.  Lewis,  and  W.  E. 
Farms. 

Convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Adams.  Roll 
was  called  and  absentees  noted.  The  secretary  distributed 
copies  of  the  minutes  of  Tuesday’s  session. 

Cameron  Miller  addressed  the  convention  on  the  situa- 
tion in  the  Pittsburg  district,  going  very  minutely  into  every 
detail  in  connection  with  the  struggle  there. 


382 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Whereas,  A differential  of  9 cents  a ton  has  been  es- 
tablished by  joint  agreement,  and  the  miners  of  the  Pitts- 
burg district  are  engaged  in  a strike  for  the  maintenance  of 
that  differential;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  encourage  them  in  their  fight  for  their 
just  rights,  and  we  urge  them  not  to  recede  from  their  pres- 
ent stand,  and  we  shall  do  all  in  our  power  to  assist  them, 
and  in  maintaining  them  in  their  struggle  to  secure  their 
price. 

Adopted. 

Apropos  the  foregoing,  the  following  dispatch  was  sent 
to  District  President  Cairns : 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  5,  1895. 
John  A.  Cairns,  Excelsior  Building,  Pittsburg,  Pa. : 

Ohio  miners’  convention  urges  District  5 not  to  recede 
from  present  demand,  promising  all  the  assistance  in  our 
power  to  help  maintain  the  price. 

A.  A.  Adams, 

W.  C.  Pearce. 

Report  of  committee  on  constitution. 

The  constitution  was  taken  up  seriatim. 

The  committee’s  report  was  being  made  when  the  con- 
vention adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Adams  in  the  chair. 

Moved,  That  H.  Mullen,  John  Phillipson,  J.  A.  Carr  and 
all  other  miners  be  alowed  a voice  in  the  convention.  Carried. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  constitution  was  taken  up. 

Resolved,  That  we  add  to  the  constitution  the  following, 
and  make  it  Section  3 of  Article  4 : “When  it  becomes  neces- 
sary for  the  district  president  to  close  a mine,  or  when  a mine 
or  mines  from  some  other  legitimate  cause  has  been  forced 
closed  down,  said  officer  may,  if  he  deems  it  wise,  close  even- 
other  mine  in  Ohio,  or  may  distribute  those  idle  men  into  any 
other  mine  or  mines  in  the  district  in  which  said  mine  or 
mines  so  closed  may  be  situated.”  And  that  Section  3 be 
changed  to  Section  4. 

Adopted. 

The  committee  on  officers’  reports  reported  the  following 
in  line  with  the  recommendations  of  the  state  president ; 


Sixth  Annual  Ohio  Convention 


383 


1.  That  the  scale  committee  adjust  to  the  best  of  their 
ability  the  differences  between  the  machine  and  pick  mining 
rate. 

2.  We  recommend  that  the  constitution  remain  as  at 
present,  so  far  as  the  restriction  placed  on  our  officials  tak- 
ing part  in  politics  is  concerned. 

3.  We  favor  a closer  alliance  with  the  railroad  employes 
along  such  lines  as  is  consistent  with  the  constitution  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

4.  Brother  Adams,  having  given  a satisfactory  expla- 
nation in  regard  to  the  objections  raised  by  Brother  Wallace, 
we  have  nothing  to  recommend  in  that  matter. 

T.  L.  Lewis, 

B.  Bennett, 

R.  F.  Wallace. 

The  committee’s  report  was  adopted. 

Election  of  officers. 

A delegate  arose  and  moved.  That  the  auditing  committee’s 
report  be  adopted.  Carried. 

Brother  Farms  and  John  Thomas  were  appointed  assist- 
ant tellers. 

T.  W.  Davis  and  G.  W.  Pearce  withdrew  their  names  as 
candidates  for  president,  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected:  For  president,  M.  Ratchford;  for  vice-president, 

Henry  Shires. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m..  President  Adams  in 
the  chair. 

Election  of  secretary -treasurer : W.  C.  Pearce  was  de- 
clared duly  elected. 

Executive  Board:  Sub-district  1,  W.  H.  Crawford;  Sub- 

district 2 was  referred  back  to  the  sub-district;  Sub-district 
3,  J.  N.  Davis;  Sub-district  4,  Jas.  McKee  was  elected  tem- 
porarily as  this  sub-district  had  not  as  yet  made  a choice; 
Sub-district  5 elected  C.  H.  Smith. 

Motion  that  this  convention  ratify  the  selection  of  the 
executive  board  as  far  as  gone.  Carried. 

Auditors  elected  were  as  follows:  C.  L.  Kimes,  Sherman 
Glasgow,  J.  J.  Eddy. 


384 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Moved,  That  we  go  into  executive  session.  Carried. 

Moved,  That  Brothers  R.  J.  Jones,  H.  A.  Banning  and  W. 
E.  Farms  escort  the  newly  elected  officers  to  their  respective 
chairs.  Carried. 

President-elect  Ratchford  addressed  the  convention  briefly 
and  thanked  all  for  his  election;  as  also  did  Shires  and  Pearce. 

Report  of  committee  on  leased  mines  by  W.  H.  Craw- 
ford, was  called  for. 

Brother  F.  Dilcher,  also  one  of  this  committee,  was  not 
present.  The  report  was  put  off  until  the  arrival  of  Brother 
Dilcher.  President  Penna  wired  for  Dilcher. 

Report  of  scale  committee : 

Motion,  That  the  report  be  taken  up  seriatim.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  we  defer  the  making  of  a scale,  together 
with  the  equalization  of  all  local  or  sub-district  matters  that 
pertain  to  the  price  of  mining  in  Ohio,  till  some  future  time. 

Adopted. 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Ratchford  in  the  chair.  Further  report  of  the 
committee  on  resolutions: 

Whereas,  The  Coshocton  miners  have  been  on  a strike 
since  February  11,  in  trying  to  maintain  the  15  cents  differ- 
ential above  Hocking  Valley;  also,  resisting  a demand  from 
operators  to  deliver  coal  on  entry  to  haulers;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates  in  convention  of  district 
6,  highly  commend  them  for  their  noble  stand,  and  extend  our 
sympathy  and  aid  in  all  ways  possible  under  our  existing 
conditions. 

Adopted  as  read. 

Whereas,  The  usual  depression  of  the  coal  trade  during  the 
winter  of  1894-5,  entailed  suffering,  want  and  starvation  upon 
thousands  of  our  fellow  craftsmen  in  Ohio  and  particularlj"  in 
the  Hocking  Valley; 

Whereas,  It  became  necessary  to  appeal  for  aid  from  other 
sources  than  our  own  organization; 

Whereas,  Governor  McKinley  responded  promptly  to  our 
appeal  for  aid ; 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  a vote  of  thanks  to  Governor 
McKinley,  the  citizens  of  Ohio,  all  fraternities  and  organiza- 


Sixth  Annual  Proceedings,  District  6 


385 


tions  and  individuals  who  responded  so  promptly  to  the  cries 
for  help  from  our  fellow  craftsmen ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  engrossed'  upon  the 
minutes  of  this  convention,  and  a copy  sent  to  Governor  Mc- 
Kinley. 

Moved,  To  adopt  as  read.  Adopted. 

The  committee  on  constitution  then  resumed  its  report. 

Moved,  That  Section  6 of  Article  7 be  changed  to  read: 
“The  initiation  fee  shall  be  left  with  each  local  or  sub-dis- 
trict to  decide,  but  in  no  case  shall  it  be  less  than  $1 ; any 
person  applying  for  work  at  any  organized  mine  shall  present 
a union  card;  in  case  any  person  cannot  present  such  union 
card,  he  shall  be  compelled  to  pay  his  initiation  fee.” 

This  was  recommended  by  the  committee. 

Moved,  To  amend  recommendation  by  inserting  United 
Mine  Workers’  card  for  union  card. 

The  amendment  to  the  recommendation  was  adopted.  The 
motion  as  amended  was  adopted. 

Motion  to  adjourn.  Carried. 

FRIDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 a.  m.,  by  President  Ratch- 
ford. 

The  chair  declared  the  order  of  business  to  be  the  report 
of  the  committee  who  investigated  the  system  of  leasing  mines 
by  miners  in  the  Hocking  Valley. 

W.  H.  Crawford  and  Fred  Dilcher  made  their  report, 
which  was  very  elaborate  in  its  details,  reading  many  of  the 
contracts  between  the  lessees  and  lessors.  The  making  of  the 
report  took  up  nearly  the  whole  of  the  forenoon  session,  after 
which  the  following  resolution,  which  was  tabled  on  Wed- 
nesday, was  taken  up,  viz. : 

Whereas,  It  has  been  brought  to  the  notice  of  this  con- 
vention, what  is  known  as  co-operation  or  lease  system  of 
minps  in  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and 

Whereas,  We  believe  it  to  be  an  injustice  to  us  as  an  or- 
ganized body;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  in  convention  condemn  all  such  work, 
knowing  it  will  bring  bad  feeling  and  demoralization  in  our 
ranks. 


386 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  consideration  of  the  foregoing  preamble  and  resolu- 
tion was  pending  when  the  hour  for  adjournment  arrived. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Ratchford  called  the  convention  to  order,  and 
stated  that  the  representatives  of  the  operators  of  Ohio,  Illi- 
nois and  Indiana  had  met  this  morning  in  the  Deshler  Block, 
with  President  Penna,  Secretary  McBryde  and  himself  (Presi- 
dent Ratchford),  and  after  an  informal  conference,  which  re- 
sulted in  no  action  being  taken  toward  any  basis  of  joint  con- 
vention for  the  settlement  of  prices  for  next  year,  Mr.  Mor- 
ton expressed  a desire  to  meet  with  the  Ohio  miners  in  con- 
vention in  the  afternoon. 

Moved,  That  the  courtesies  of  the  convention  be  extended 
to  Mr.  Morton  and  that  we  meet  him  at  3 p.  m.  Carried. 

Secretary  Pearce  notified  Mr.  Morton  to  be  present  at  the 
appointed  hour. 

Discussion  on  the  lease  system  was  resumed,  and  the  fol- 
lowing substitute  for  the  resolution  before  the  house  was  pre- 
sented to  the  convention. 

Whereas,  A great  deal  of  trouble  has  arisen  in  the  Hocking 
Valley  and  other  sections  of  this  district  owing  to  the  con- 
tract or  lease  system  now  in  vogue ; and 

Whereas,  We  believe  said  system  as  is  now  in  practice 
is  detrimental  to  the  interests  of  our  craft  and  injurious  to 
the  welfare  of  our  organization ; and 

Whereas,  We  favor  the  co-operative  system  when  carried 
out  according  to  its  correct  meaning ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  discountenance,  condemn  and  denounce 
any  person  or  persons  connected  in  any  way  with  any  concern 
not  in  conformity  with  rules  and  regulations  of  our  organ- 
ization. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  and  encourage  any  and  all  who 
may  wish  to  engage  in  co-operative  mines  as  long  as  they  hold 
themselves  strictly  in  conformity  with  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  our  organization  by  paying  scale  rates  for  all  labor 
in  or  around  such  mines. 

Resolved,  That  the  executive  board  shall  determine  upon 
the  validity  and  good  intentions  of  such  mines.  The  substi- 
tute was  adopted,  with  John  Thomas  voting  no. 

Carried. 

The  committee  on  constitution  again  resumed  its  report. 


Sixth  Annual  Proceedings,  District  6 


387 


Moved,  to  amend  Section  3 of  Article  5 of  the  constitution 
by  striking  out  the  words  “having  less  than  30  members,”  on 
the  10th,  11th  lines. 

Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  shall  be  Section  3 of  Article 

10: 

“On  and  after  June  1,  1895,  each  Local  Union  must  be  pro- 
vided with  a seal  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and 
no  card  or  communication  shall  be  recognized  unless  the  seal 
of  the  local  be  attached.” 

Adopted. 

Complaint  was  made  to  the  convention  about  a misrepre- 
sentation which  appeared  yesterday  evening  in  the  Post-Press 
regarding  Fred  Dilcher,  the  same  stating  that  Brother  Dilcher 
dare  not  come  to  the  convention  owing  to  something  he  was 
reported  to  have  said  at  Shawnee.  The  facts  in  the  case  were 
that  Brother  Dilcher  came  to  the  convention  immediately 
upon  being  notified  by  President  Penna. 

Moved,  That  it  be  the  sense  of  this  convention  that  the 
Post-Press  has  done  Mr.  Dilcher  an  injustice.  Carried. 

All  the  committees  having  reported,  on  motion  they  were 
discharged. 

Having  30  minutes  to  spare  before  the  time  for  the  arrival 
of  Mr.  Morton,  a motion  was  adopted  to  hear  the  retiring 
officers. 

Brother  Adams  was  called  on  and  in  a few  appropriate 
remarks  wished  President  Ratchford  a prosperous  year,  and 
promised  his  assistance  in  every  shape  and  form  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  miners  of  Ohio. 

Brother  R.  L.  Davis  was  next  called  on  and  thanked  the 
miners  of  district  6 for  the  complimentary  vote  he  had  re- 
ceived and  promised  to  continue  his  untiring  efforts  for  and 
loyalty  to  the  organization. 

Brother  Glasgow  also  thanked  the  miners  of  Ohio,  and 
said  that  his  actions  would  speak  for  themselves  and  that  he 
would  continue  to  do  all  he  could  for  the  miners  of  Ohio. 

Brother  C.  P.  Ray  also  thanked  all  and  hoped  for  better 
times  in  the  future.  He  would  continue  to  co-operate  with 


388 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  officers  and  friends  of  the  organization  in  every  possible 
way  in  which  their  efforts  were  directed  in  behalf  of  our 
craftsmen. 

Brother  W.  H.  Crawford  said  he  had  served  only  one  year 
as  member  of  the  board,  and  as  far  as  he  knew  he  had  acted 
fairly  and  honestly  in  every  matter  he  had  to  deal  with  dur- 
ing that  time,  and  that  he  would  continue  to  follow  principles 
in  preference  to  prejudices  or  individuals.  He  thanked  the 
miners  of  Ohio  for  their  expression  of  confidence  and  for  the 
honor  conferred  on  him. 

Secretary  Pearce  said  that  after  almost  five  years  of  con- 
tinual service,  it  was  pleasing  to  know  that  the  highest  com- 
mendation of  his  services  possible  had  been  given,  in  that  he 
was  again  elected  to  such  a position  of  trust  and  honor,  as 
secretary-treasurer  of  district  6.  He  said  he  had  always  en- 
deavored to  do  his  duty,  and  that  were  he  to  be  called  upon  to 
re-enact  every  official  act  of  his  now  nearly  five  years’  service, 
he  could  not  do  anything  other  than  he  had  done.  He  thanked 
the  miners  of  Ohio  for  their  renewed  expression  of  confidence, 
and  promised  to  be  as  prompt  as  ever. 

Three  o’clock  having  arrived,  Mr.  Morton,  with  Messrs. 
Thomas  Johnson,  Courtwright  and  Stone,  entered  the  hall. 
Mr.  Morton  was  introduced  and  said  in  substance:  “The 

operators  of  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Ohio  met  in  conference  this 
morning,  and  his  (Mr.  Morton’s)  presence  before  the  miners 
convention  was  the  result  of  that  conference.  He  showed 
how  the  Pittsburg  operators  were  cutting  prices,  and  how 
Ohio  was  suffering  as  a result  of  their  competition.  “Up  to 
this  time,”  he  said,  “the  Ohio  operators  had  not  made  any 
contracts  for  lake  shipments,  nor  were  they  likely  to  under 
present  conditions.  “Suppose,”  said  he,  “that  I make  a prop- 
osition here,  to  maintain  the  differential  of  nine  cents,  what 
would  you  say,  though  it  were  necessary  to  come  down  to  30 
or  35  cents.”  Could  this  be  done  he  believed  that  the  Pitts- 
burg operators  would  be  willing  enough  then  to  meet  in  joint 
convention  to  make  prices  that  would  afford  a better  wage 
to  miners  and  better  profits  to  operators.  He  blamed  Mr. 
DeArmit  in  particular  for  the  unfortunate  condition  of  af- 
fairs. 


Joint  Conferences,  Ohio  and  Illinois 


389 


President  Penna  asked  the  following  question  of  Mr.  Mor- 
ton : “In  the  event,  Mr.  Morton,  of  the  Ohio  miners  agree- 

ing to  such  a proposition  as  that,  what  guarantee  have  they 
that  you,  as  operators  of  Ohio,  would  not  simply  pocket  the 
profits,  without  in  the  least  benefiting  the  miners?” 

Mr.  Morton  answered  as  follows : “In  case  such  a propo- 

sition is  agreed  to  we  will  guarantee  to  sell  the  coal  for  the 
cost  on  cars  at  the  mines.” 

Mr.  Penna  said,  “If  the  miners  of  Ohio  agree  to  go  into 
a war  (and  it  is  war)  would  the  operators  require  a contract 
for  any  length  of  time?” 

Mr.  Morton  answered,  “No,  we  would  not  require  a con- 
tract; only  a notice  of  about  ten  days’  time.” 

A delegate  asked  Mr.  Morton  if  such  a proposition  was 
agreed  to,  would  the  supplies,  house  rent,  etc.,  be  reduced. 

Mr.  Morton  answered  for  his  own  company  that  in  such 
case  he  believed  he  voiced  the  sentiments  of  his  company,  that 
they  would  reduce  house  rent  50  per  cent. 

Operator  Johnson  was  next  called  on.  He  said  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Ohio  Coal  Association  were  friendly  to  the  miners 
of  the  state,  and  believed  Mr.  Morton  was  advising  them  for 
their  own  good,  and  hoped  they  would  consider  it  in  the  spirit 
in  which  it  was  offered. 

A delegate  asked  Mr.  Johnson:  “Is  this  cheap  coal  for 

all  markets?” 

Mr.  Johnson  answered:  “No,  only  for  lake  shipments.” 

Mr.  Courtright  was  called  on  and  substantiated  what  his 
fellow  operators  had  said  and  believed  Mr.  Morton’s  suggestion 
was  the  only  cure  for  the  evil. 

The  operators  here  withdrew  from  the  hall.  President 
Ratchford  addressed  a few  well  chosen  remarks  to  the  con- 
vention, after  which  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

JOINT  CONVENTION  OF  NORTHERN  ILLINOIS  OPER- 
ATORS AND  MINERS. 

Joliet,  Illinois,  April  22,  1895. 

At  a joint  meeting  of  coal  operators  and  miners  held  at 
Joliet,  Illinois,  April  22,  1895,  the  following  was  unanimously 
submitted  to  the  miners  for  approval : 


390 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Whereas,  It  is  desired  by  both  operators  and  miners  to 
avoid  disagreements  and  to  establish  the  basis  of  a scale  of 
wages  which  shall  control  during  the  year  ending  May  1,  1896. 
The  desire  and  intent  on  both  sides  being  to  settle  the  basis 
without  a stoppage  of  work,  while  at  the  same  time  the  opera- 
tors shall  be  protected  from  loss  of  business  by  reduced  wages 
in  competitive  fields,  and  the  miners  shall  not  be  subjected  to 
reductions,  except  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  themselves 
and  their  employers  from  such  competition : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  the 
prices  of  mining  in  northern  Illinois,  for  the  year  beginning 
May  1,  1895,  under  definite  agreement  to  work  throughout 
the  year,  shall  be  the  scale  for  the  year  1894,  summer  and 
winter. 

Provided,  That  should  any  decline  from  said  1894  scale 
take  place  in  both  the  Hocking  Valley  and  Indiana  bituminous 
fields  on  or  before  July  1,  1895,  or  exist  in  either  the  Hocking 
Valley  or  Indiana  bituminous  field  after  July  1,  1895,  that 
the  price  of  mining  in  northern  Illinois  shall  thereupon  de- 
cline the  same  number  of  cents  per  ton  from  said  scale,  sum- 
mer and  winter,  to  continue  so  long  as  such  decline  in  the 
Hocking  Valley  or  Indiana  bituminous  fields  shall  continue; 

Provided,  however.  That  at  no  time  during  the  year  shall 
the  price  of  mining  in  northern  Illinois  decline  more  than  9 
cents  per  ton  from  said  1894  scale. 

It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  the  companies  whose 
names  are  hereto  subscribed  will  honor  the  written  orders 
of  employes,  on  their  pay,  and  turn  over  the  amounts  so  col- 
lected to  any  duly  authorized  committee  for  payment  of  check- 
weighmen,  or  for  state  or  national  organization  purposes. 
Such  orders  to  hold  good  until  revoked  in  writing,  and  to  be 
so  provided  in  the  original  orders. 

On  April  29,  1895,  a joint  conference  of  operators  and 
miners  met  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  for  the  purpose  of  agree- 
ing upon  a scale  of  prices  to  be  paid  from  May  1,  1895,  to 
April  30,  1896.  About  30  miners’  delegates  were  present  and 
a fair  representation  of  operators,  including  I\Iessrs.  Bogle, 
Talley,  Seifert,  Ogle,  Yager,  and  Hawkins. 

President  George  W.  Purcell  called  the  miners  conven- 
tion to  order  and  appointed  committees  on  order  of  business, 
scale,  etc.,  preparatory  to  a meeting  with  the  operators  the 
same  day.  After  holding  afternoon  and  night  meetings  at 
which  a general  discussion  of  the  situation  was  entered  into, 
it  was  discovered  that  the  joint  meeting  with  operators  could 


Joint  Convention  of  Northern  Illinois 


391 


not  be  held  until  April  30  at  9 a.  m.,  and  the  miners’  conven- 
tion adjourned. 

The  joint  conference  was  organized  on  the  morning  of 
April  30,  1895,  with  operator  Bogle  as  chairman  and  John 
H.  Kennedy,  miner,  as  secretary. 

The  chairman,  after  explaining  the  object  of  the  con- 
ference and  a general  interchange  of  views  by  the  delegates  on 
the  situation,  it  was  agreed  to  adjourn  and  appoint  a scale 
committee  from  each  side  ready  for  the  afternoon  session. 

At  the  afternoon  session  the  scale  committee  appointed 
consisted  of  Messrs.  Bogle,  Tally,  Seifert,  Ogle,  Yager,  and 
Hawkins,  for  the  operators,  and  for  the  miners,  Messrs. 
Stewart,  Roberts,  Sheffler,  Nolan,  Hobbs,  Kennedy  and  Pur- 
cell. The  Clinton  miners  were  locked  out  and  their  opera- 
tors took  no  part  in  the  joint  conference. 

Chairman  Bogle  informed  the  meeting  that  the  opera- 
tors had  agreed  that  they  would  pay  the  prices  paid  at  Grape 
Creek,  Illinois;  namely,  45  cents  for  screened  coal  and  33 
cents  for  mine  run  coal.  This  the  miners  refused  to  consider, 
and  offered  the  price  agreed  to  at  their  convention;  namely, 
39Y2  cents  mine  run,  to  be  the  uniform  price  for  the  state 
where  no  deficiency  existed.  This  being  refused  by  the  opera- 
tors after  a little  further  discussion  the  joint  committee  ad- 
journed to  hold  a night  session.  On  the  report  being  made 
to  the  miners  it  was  accepted  and  the  miners’  committee 
ordered  to  settle  on  last  year’s  prices  and  conditions. 

At  the  night  session  the  operators  rejected  the  proposi- 
tion made  by  the  miners  and  when  one  of  the  operators  moved 
to  adjourn  it  was  seconded  by  a miner,  and  the  joint  confer- 
ence adjourned  to  meet  at  the  call  of  the  presidents. 

CONVENTION  OF  DISTRICT  25. 

Keystone,  West  Virginia,  June  14,  1895. 

A convention  was  called  for  the  benefit  of  the  strikers. 
The  delegates  assembled  and  the  meeting  was  called  to  order 
by  W.  C.  Webb.  The  delegation  follows : 

Robert  Price,  William  Crow,  M.  H.  Badgett,  Shelton  Crag- 
head,  William  Miller,  James  Fitzgerald,  J.  B.  Lee,  J.  S.  Porter, 
Morris  Gunn,  R.  W.  Morehead,  W.  C.  Warburton,  C.  Lock, 


392 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


William  Sisk,  William  Akins,  Fred  Knight,  G.  M.  Robinson,. 
Alexander  Adams,  I.  S.  Wrin,  William  Minich,  J.  S.  Wash- 
ington, W.  M.  Camplete,  Isaac  Allen,  Samuel  Cryder,  Charles 
Huffman,  G.  M.  Woody,  W.  H.  Jones,  Robert  Sackett,  J.  H. 
Ross,  R.  D.  Coles,  James  Anderson,  J.  H.  Clark. 

Committees  on  resolutions,  distribution,  ways  and  means, 
were  appointed  and  the  meeting  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

At  1 :30  the  house  was  called  to  order,  with  W.  C.  Webb 
in  the  chair. 

The  committees  were  called  to  report:  On  distribution, 

the  report  was  received.  Committee  on  resolutions  was  called 
to  make  its  report. 

First:  That  the  operators  would  be  sued  and  brought 

before  a justice  of  the  peace  for  dumping  coal  without  being 
weighed.  That  each  local  should  have  their  own  committees 
appointed  to  indict  the  company  for  any  violation  of  the  laws 
of  West  Virginia.  That  we  send  three  committees  to  Blue- 
field  on  ways  and  means;  delegates  W.  C.  Webb,  W.  C.  War- 
burton  and  William  Sisk,  were  elected  to  go  to  Bluefield.  That 
we  recommend  the  district  secretary  ask  for  aid  through  the 
United  Mine  Workers  Journal. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Keystone,  West  Virginia,  June  18. 

The  session  was  called  together  again  with  W.  C.  Webb, 
chairman. 

On  motion  there  be  no  work  done  at  all  until  the  strike  is 
settled,  and  if  there  is  the  names  shall  be  published  in  the 
United  Mine  Workers  Journal,  Pemisylvania  Gout,  Blue- 
field  Journal,  Richmond  Planet,  Lynchburg  News,  and  all 
other  papers  that  will  accept  it,  and  also  publish  that  the 
strike  is  not  over  yet  at  Pocahontas  and  Elkhorn. 

Adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  of  district  25,  in  convention 
assembled,  declare  we  are  in  favor  of  scales  to  weigh  coal, 
also  two  weeks  payment  in  lawful  money  for  work  done,  and 
recognition  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  and  all 


Pratt,  Alabama,  Wage  Scale,  1892-95. 


393 


members  to  have  their  work  without  prejudice  in  regard  to 
the  part  taken  in  the  strike. 

On  motion  resolution  was  adopted. 

Resolved,  by  this  body,  That  district  25  employ  a compe- 
tent attorney  to  push  any  and  all  indictments  that  may  be 
found  before  the  grand  jury  or  otherwise  relative  to  mining 
interests ; be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  different  local  unions  in  Mercer  county 
take  steps  to  make  similar  indictments  before  the  circuit  court 
of  said  county,  as  the  criminal  judge  of  Mercer  has  declared 
screen  law  unconstitutional,  which  is  reversing  the  decision 
of  the  supreme  court  of  West  Virginia. 

Resolution  adopted. 

Moved,  That  Brother  Webb  stay  with  us  until  July  1.  Car- 
ried. 

Motion,  That  the  secretary  have  the  constitution  printed 
when  he  gets  money.  That  the  secretary  must  make  a quarterly 
report  and  have  it  published  in  the  United  Mine  Workers 
Journal. 

Adjourned.  ! 

W.  C.  Webb,  Chairman, 

A.  B.  Smoot,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

DISTRICT  20,  ALABAMA. 

PRATT  WAGE  SCALE  1892-1895. 


From  Apr.  12. 

1892  1893  1894  1895 

Mining  Run  of  Mine $0.45  $0.45  $0,374  $0,374 

Heading 2.25  2.25  2.25  1.90 

Air  Course 1.00  1.00  1.00  .95 

DAY  WAGE  SCALE. 

1892  ■ 1893  1894  1895 

Drivers  $1.10  to  1.15  $1.10  to  1.15  $1.10  to  1.15  $1.10 

Trackmen 1.95  1.85 

Trackmen’s  Helpers  1.10  1.10  1.10  1.10 

Trappers  .75  .65 

Inside  Engineers  1.50  

Outside  Engineers  62.50  per  mo.  

Slope  Chainers 1.25  1.20 

Steam  Pumpers  1.15  1.15 

Furnace  Firemen 1.10  1.05 

Slope  Repairmen  1.90  1.60 

Dumpers 1.10  1.10 


394 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


1892  1893  1894  1895 

Scalers  1.00  1.00 

Tip  jMiddlemen 1.00  1.00 

Coupler  .75  .65 

Greaser  .75  .65 

Pin  Puller  1.15  1.15 

R.  R.  Car  Loader 1.05  1.05 

Rlacksmith 2.00  2.00 

Blacksmith  Helpers  1.15  1.15 

Miner  on  Company  Work 2.25  1.96 

Stable  Men  1.00  1.00 


J.  E.  LAMA  AGREEMENT. 

Nelsonville,  Ohio,  June  25,  1895. 

Agreement  arrived  at  this  date  by  and  between  J.  E. 
Lama  and  his  employes : 

That  all  employes  that  were  engaged  by  Bartell  & Spencer 
in  the  early  part  of  June,  1895,  are  to  resume  their  former 
places  for  J.  E.  Lama,  and  that  the  disposition  of  the  present 
employes  is  to  be  left  to  the  majority  vote  of  the  aforemen- 
tioned employes  of  said  Bartell  & Spencer. 

It  is  further  agreed  that,  in  case  any  of  the  late  employes 
be  rejected,  that  the  said  J.  E.  Lama  shall  have  the  right  to 
prefer  charges  against  any  one  of  said  employes  of  Bartell 
& Spencer  for  violation  of  union  principle  while  wmrking  for 
said  Bartell  & Spencer,  and  his  case  shall  be  dealt  with  in 
the  manner  provided  for  above,  that  is,  for  each  one  of  said 
new  employes  who  may  have  been  disloyal  to  their  union, 
J.  E.  Lama  shall  have  the  same  right  to  make  charges  against 
any  one  of  said  old  employes  and  the  case  shall  be  decided 
by  the  same  body,  viz.,  the  majority  of  old  employes. 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  the  question  of  checkweighman 
shall  be  decided  after  it  has  been  determined  who  are  en- 
titled to  places  at  the  mine. 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  if  an  employe  absents  himself 
from  the  mine  at  any  one  time  exceeding  two  days  in  suc- 
cession, that  said  J.  E.  Lama  has  the  right  to  place  another 
man  in  his  working  place,  providing  he  fails  to  give  due  notice 
and  excuse  for  the  same. 

[Signed]  J.  E.  Lama,  for  Bartell  & Spencer,  Agents, 

M.  Ratchford,  for  the  Miners. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


CONSTITUTION— DISTRICT  NO.  1— ANTHRACITE. 

Article  I — Name,  Object  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  association  shall  be  known  as  District  1, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  shall  embrace  the  an- 
thracite region. 

Section  2.  The  object  of  this  association  shall  be  to  unite 
the  mine  employes  of  the  anthracite  region  with  the  mine  em- 
ployes of  the  country  and  ameliorate  their  condition  by 
methods  of  conciliation,  arbitration,  or  other  lawful  means. 

Section.  3.  This  association  shall  have  jurisdiction  over 
all  locals  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  in  this  dis- 
trict. 

Article  II — Officers. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  association  shall  be, 
president,  vice-president  and  secretary-treasurer. 

Section  2.  The  executive  board  shall  consist  of  seven 
members — the  president,  vice-president,  secretary-treasurer 
and  four  other  members  who  are  to  be  elected  in  like  manner 
as  the  district  officers. 

Article  III — Duties  of  Officers  and  Salaries. 

Section  1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  district  con- 
ventions of  the  district  association.  He  shall  sign  all  orders 
drawn  on  the  district  secretary-treasurer  when  satisfied  of 
their  correctness.  He  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  majority 
of  the  executive  board,  fill  by  appointment  all  vacancies  OC' 
curring  in  the  district  offices.  Said  officers  to  be  in  office  until 
successor  be  duly  elected,  and  in  like  manner  he  is  empowered, 
to  suspend  or  remove  any  district  officer  for  insubordination  or 
for  just'  and  sufficient  cause.  He  shall  act  as  general  or- 
ganizer for  the  district  and  attend  and  answer  any  and  all 
cases  possible  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  local  grievances 
or  any  other  business  that  may  be  presented  and  shall  exer- 
cise a general  supervision  over  the  affairs  of  the  association. 
But  in  no  case  shall  he  substitute  his  own  opinions  for  those 
set  forth  in  this  constitution. 

Section  2.  The  president  shall  receive  as  remuneration 
for  his  services  the  sum  of  seventy  dollars  ($70)  per  month 
and  car  fare ; all  bills  to  be  properly  itemized. 

Section  3.  The  vice-president  shall  be  subject  to  the  call 
of  the  president,  and  in  the  event  of  the  office  of  president 
becoming  vacant  through  death,  removal,  resignation  or 

(395) 


396 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


otherwise,  the  vice-president  shall  succeed  that  officer  and  as- 
sume all  responsibility  of  the  office  until  the  next  convention  or 
until  his  successor  be  elected. 

Section  4.  The  vice-president  shall  receive  as  compensa- 
tion for  his  services,  while  on  actual  duty,  $3  per  day  and  his 
railway  fare;  should  he  succeed  to  the  office  of  president,  he 
shall  receive  the  same  salary  as  that  set  forth  as  the  presi- 
dent’s salary. 

Section  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary-treasurer 
to  keep  full,  accurate  and  regular  minutes  of  all  district  con- 
ventions, and  of  all  meetings  of  the  executive  board,  in  books 
to  be  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  all  matters  of  impor- 
tance transacted  at  the  meetings  of  the  district  executive  board 
shall  be  forwarded  at  once  to  all  locals  throughout  the  dis- 
trict. He  shall  enter  upon  said  books  all  ordinances,  by-laws, 
resolutions,  etc.  He  shall  receive  and  preserve  all  moneys 
or  other  valuables  due  the  district  and  shall  draw  all  orders 
on  the  treasury  and  after  the  approval  and  signature  of  the 
president  shall  sign  and  seal  the  same.  He  shall  take  receipts 
for  all  payments  and  give  receipts  for  all  moneys  received. 
He  shall  keep  a fair  and  accurate  account  of  same  in  books 
provided  for  that  purpose.  He  shall,  whenever  required  to 
do  so  by  the  delegates  in  convention  assembled  or  the  district 
executive  board,  render  a just  account  of  all  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures with  the  vouchers  thereof.  He  shall  deliver  all 
books,  papers,  moneys,  or  other  property  he  may  have  in  his 
possession  to  his  successor  in  office  within  ten  days  after  the 
report  of  the  auditing  committee  has  been  accepted.  Before 
entering  upon  his  duties  he  shall  present  to  the  executive 
board  a bond  or  sufficient  security  of  not  less  than  $1,000  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties  and  the  safekeeping  of 
all  money  and  other  valuables  intrusted  to  his  care.  He  shall 
render  to  the  district  semi-annually  an  itemized  statement  of 
the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  same,  and  shall  receive 
for  his  services  the  sum  of  $50  per  month  and  his  office  ex- 
penses; said  office  expenses  to  include  all  necessary  supplies 
for  the  general  work  of  the  district. 

Section  6.  All  members  of  the  executive  board  shall  be 
subject  to  the  call  of  the  president  and  shall  receive  as  com- 
pensation $3  per  day  and  car  fare;  they  shall  receive  travel- 
ing expenses  only  when  assigned  to  any  special  work. 

Article  IT — Revenue  and  Representation. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  district  association  shall 
be  derived  from  local  unions  under  its  jurisdiction,  which 
shall  pay  to  the  district  secretary -treasurer  the  sum  of  5 cents 
per  month  per  member  as  per  capita  tax,  and  any  and  all  other 


Anthracite  Constitution,  1895 


397 


assessments  levied  by  the  district  executive  board  through 
authority  invested  in  them  by  a working  majority  of  the  dele- 
gates in  convention  assembled. 

Section  2.  Each  local  union  that  is  not  more  than  three 
months  in  arrears  with  district  per  capita  tax  shall  be  en- 
titled to  one  vote  in  the  district  convention  for  every  ten  mem- 
bers in  good  standing.  Locals  three  months  in  arrears  with 
district  per  capita  shall  not  be  allowed  or  entitled  to  repre- 
sentation in  district  conventions,  neither  with  seat,  voice  or 
vote.  Locals  may  vote  by  proxy  through  any  authorized  dele- 
gate to  the  convention,  provided  said  proxy  shall  be  in  the 
same  form  as  a delegate’s  credentials  except  on  questions  per- 
taining to  strikes  or  settlement  of  wages,  when  votes  by 
proxy  will  not  be  allowed. 

Section  3.  By  request  of  five  delegates  all  votes  cast 
shall  be  recorded,  together  with  the  names  of  delegates  voting, 
and  this  to  become  a part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention. 

Article  V. 

Section  1.  Nomination  of  district  officers  shall  be  for- 
warded to  the  district  secretary-treasurer  at  least  six  weeks 
before  the  time  of  the  convention,  at  which  said  officers  are  . 
to  be  elected,  and  the  secretary-treasurer  shall  send  a list  of 
nominees  to  each  and  every  local  in  the  district  at  least  two 
weeks  before  the  time  of  said  election ; and  delegates  may 
come  to  the  convention  instructed  to  vote  for  candidates  for 
the  respective  offices,  which  vote  shall  be  recorded  and  be- 
come a part  of  the  convention  proceedings. 

Section  2.  The  election  of  delegates  to  attend  district 
convention  shall  take  place  in  sufficient  time  to  warrant  the 
district  secretary-treasurer  having  the  delegates’  credentials 
in  his  possession  at  least  three  days  prior  to  the  convention, 
this  not  to  refer  to  locals  that  are  only  organized  one  month 
or  less. 

Article  VI — Initiation  Fee. 

Section  1.  The  initiation  fee  shall  be  left  with  each  local 
union  to  decide,  but  in  no  case  shall  it  be  less  than  25  cents. 

Article  VII — Legality  cf  Delegate. 

Section  1.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  act  as  a dele- 
gate to  any  district  convention  who  is  not  a member  of  this 
association  in  good  standing,  and  is  not  or  has  not  been  em- 
ployed in  or  about  the  anthracite  mines. 

Article  VIII — Meetings. 

Section  1.  Regular  district  conventions  shall  be  held  at 
Pottsville,  Schuykill  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  at  least  once  every 
three  months. 


398 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Section  2.  Special  conventions  shall  be  called  by  the  exec- 
utive board  at  the  request  of  five  locals  representing  two  hun- 
dred members  in  good  standing,  and  no  business  shall  be 
transacted  except  such  as  is  set  forth  in  the  call. 

Section  3.  Meetings  of  the  executive  board  shall  be  held 
every  month,  and  the  secretary-treasurer  shall  give  every 
member  timely  notice  thereof. 

Article  IX — Electiwi  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  The  election  of  the  president,  vice-president 
and  secretary-treasurer  and  members  of  the  executive  board 
shall  be  performed  by  the  delegates  in  convention  assembled. 
They  shall  serve  for  a term  of  one  year,  unless  removed  for 
cause  or  resign. 

Section  2.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  decided  by 
ballot,  and  the  candidate  receiving  a majority  of  all  the  votes 
cast  shall  be  declared  elected. 

Article  X — Grievances. 

Section  1.  Should  any  grievances  arise  in  any  of  the 
local  unions  that  can  not  be  settled  between  themselves  and 
their  employers  the  district  executive  board  shall  be  notified 
of  the  same,  and  if  they  are  unable  to  adjust  the  difference 
and  the  grievance  is  of  such  importance  the  executive  board 
is  authorized  to  call  a special  convention  of  delegates,  who 
may  act  thereon. 

Article  XI — Auditors. 

Section  1.  A committee  of  not  less  than  three  members 
in  good  standing  shall  be  elected  semi-annually  by  the  dele- 
gates in  convention,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  audit  and  ad- 
just the  books  of  the  secretary-treasurer,  giving  an  itemized 
statement  of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  last  half 
year,  and  report  the  same  at  the  next  convention,  for  which 
they  shall  receive  as  compensation  three  dollars  ($3)  per 
day  and  traveling  expenses. 

Article  XII — By-Laics. 

Section  1.  By-laws  not  repugnant  to  the  constitution  of 
the  United  States,  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  nor  to  this  instrument,  may  be 
passed  and  adopted  by  the  members  of  all  local. unions  of  this 
district  association. 

Article  XIII — Charges. 

Section  1.  No  charges  shall  be  considered  by  any  con- 
vention or  executive  board  unless  presented  in  writing  to  the 
district  executive  board  or  to  the  secretary-treasurer  at  the 
convention,  And  any  member  under  charges  has  the  right 


Anthracite  Constitution,  1895 


399 


to  peruse  all  papers  and  hear  all  evidence  in  the  case,  and 
to  appear  in  the  convention,  or  before  the  executive  board, 
as  the  case  may  be,  and  hear  the  reports  of  all  committees 
or  others  bearing  on  his  case  and  make  his  defense.  But 
before  the  evidence  is  reviewed  by  the  delegates  assembled 
or  members  of  the  executive  board  present,  as  the  case  may 
be,  or  a vote  is  taken,  the  member  under  charges  shall  re- 
tire. 

Article  XIV — Quorum. 

Section  1.  A quorum  shall  consist  of  a majority  of  the 
delegates  representing  the  several  local  unions  in  good  stand- 
ing, and  when  such  a number  are  present  and  the  hour  for 
opening  the  convention  has  arrived  the  president,  or  his 
substitute,  if  he  be  not  present,  shall  call  the  meeting  to  order 
and  proceed  to  business,  and  the  business  transacted  shall  be 
binding  on  all  the  local  unions  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Dis- 
trict 1,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Article  XV — Committees. 

Section  1.  All  committees,  unless  otherwise  provided 
for,  shall  consist  of  three  delegates,  to  be  appointed  by  the 
president  unless  where  it  concerns  his  immediate  interest, 
when  the  vice-president  shall  have  the  power  of  appointment. 

Article  XVI — Sign  and  Password. 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  embodied  in  the  work  of  this 
district  association  a secret  sign  of  recognition  and  a secret 
password,  and  said  password  to  be  changed  every  three 
months  and  oftener,  if  necessary.  Said  password  and  sign 
to  originate  with  the  executive  board  and  the  password  and 
sign  to  be  sent  to  all  locals  in  good  standing. 

Article  XVII. 

Section  1.  The  itemized  report  of  the  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures and  fines  held  by  the  auditors  shall  be  printed  and 
a copy  of  the  same  shall  be  forwarded  to  each  local  union  in 
the  district,  and  to  cover  the  expenses  of  printing  the  same, 
each  local  union  receiving  a copy  of  said  report  shall  pay  for 
the  same  25  cents. 

Article  XVIII — Beneficial  Fund. 

Section  1.  On  and  after  the  first  day  of  January,  1896, 
there  shall  be  established  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  dis- 
trict association  a fund  to  be  known  as  a beneficial  fund, 
leaving  it  to  the  free  will  of  all  members  as  to  whether  they 
become  members  of  the  fund  or  not.  The  initiation  fee  to 
this  fund  shall  be  25  cents,  and  at  the  death  of  a brother  mem- 


400 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ber  of  the  fund  the  widow,  orphan  or  dependent  relative  of 
the  deceased,  shall  receive  as  a funeral  benefit  the  sum  of 
forty  dollars  ($40.00)  ; said  funeral  benefit  to  be  raised  by 
the  levying  of  a pro  rata  assessment  upon  the  members  of 
the  fund. 

Article  XIX — Disputes  as  to  Meaning. 

Section  1.  Should  any  dispute  arise  as  to  the  true  in- 
tent and  meaning  of  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  the  ques- 
tion shall  be  referred  to  a committee  to  construe  the  section, 
whose  decision,  if  approved  by  the  convention,  shall  be  its 
judgment  thereon. 

Article  XX — Amendments. 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  shall  only  be 
made  at  the  regular  district  convention ; all  amendments  must 
be  submitted  in  writing  and  a two-thirds  vote  is  necessary  to 
adopt  an  amendment  to  this  constitution. 

Emanuel  Jenkyn, 

P.  J.  Carroll, 

John  Fahy, 

Committee  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws. 

Adopted  at  a regular  stated  convention  of  District  No.  1, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  held  at  Pottsville,  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Pennsylvania,  June  26,  1895. 


PITTSBURG  DISTRICT  JOINT  SCALE  ADOPTED,  1895. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  December  2,  1895. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  J.  A. 
Cairns  at  10  a.  m. 

Lewis  Hohn,  Banksville;  Alfred  Hall,  Manown;  Adam 
Fox,  Summer  Hill;  committee  on  credentials,  reported  sixty- 
one  delegates  present. 

All  doubtful  cases  were  referred  back  to  the  committee 
and  report  adopted. 

Committee  on  Rules — Wm.  Dodds,  Banksville;  George 
Wilson,  Carnegie;  Silas  Cole,  Finleyville. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  rules  was  adopted  as  a 
whole. 

The  president  proceeded  to  read  the  resolutions  adopted 
at  the  last  joint  convention  with  a short  address. 

Rev.  Laird,  of  Sutersville,  was  given  ten  minutes  of  privi- 
lege to  address  the  convention.  He  was  followed  by  National 


Pittsburg  Joint  Conference 


401 


President  Penna,  National  Vice-President  Cameron  Miller 
and  National  Secretary-Treasurer  Pat  McBryde. 

Convention  proceeded  to  take  the  reports  of  delegates, 
which  showed  that  stores,  with  a few  exceptions,  had  been 
abolished  and  screens  to  exist  of  uniform  size;  some  irregu- 
larities as  to  pay  days  with  an  unusual  amount  of  time  in  the 
hands  of  the  companies. 

Moved,  That  the  president  appoint  a committee  of  seven 
in  connection  with  national  and  district  officials  to  work  and 
argue  in  joint  convention  for  an  advanced  mining  rate.  Car- 
ried. 

The  following  were  appointed:  Chas.  Wallace,  William 

Dodds,  Andrew  Savage,  Ed.  McKay,  James  Hoey,  J.  T.  Hef- 
fran  and  Peter  Sample. 

Moved,  That  the  resolution  adopted  at  a previous  conven- 
tion of  a 10-cent  per  capita  assessment  to  prosecute  law  suits 
be  readopted  by  the  convention.  Carried. 

Convention  adjourned  to  meet  in  joint  convention. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  December  3,  1895. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  at  10 :30  o’clock  by  Chair- 
man G.  W.  Schluederberg. 

The  chairman  requested  to  be  relieved  of  acting  as  chair- 
man of  the  convention.  D.  M.  Anderson,  operator,  was  chosen 
to  take  the  chairman’s  place.  William  Warner  was  chosen  as 
secretary.  By  motion  a committee  of  two  operators  and  two 
miners  was  appointed  as  a committee  on  credentials:  James 
Hoey,  E.  J.  McCue,  miners;  Wilson,  Schluederberg,  operators. 

Committee  on  credentials  reported  sixty-six  miners’  dele- 
gates and  the  following  operators  present,  representing  forty- 
one  mines : E.  W.  Powers,  Federal  Coal  Co.,  2 mines ; A.  W. 
Young,  Sheppler  Coal  Co.,  1 ; N.  F.  Sanford,  Moon  Run  Coal 
Cq.,  1 ; J.  A.  O’Neil,  Ella  Coal  Co.,  Webster  Coal  Co.,  2 ; 
J.  C.  Dysart,  Essen  Coal  Co.  and  Chartiers  Block  Coal  Co.,  4 ; 
E.  S.  Batchelor,  Harrison  Coal  Co.,  1 ; J.  Zweidinger,  Fidelity 
Coal  Co.,  1 ; C.  H.  Wilse,  Lake  Shore  Gas  Coal  Co.,  1 ; 

Camell,  Painter  Coal  Co.,  1 ; John  Blythe,  Big  Chief 

mine,  1 ; J.  V.  H.  Cook,  Allison  mine,  1 ; James  Boyle,  Cherry 
mine,  1 ; W.  R.  Wilson,  Ridgeway  Bishop,  1 ; Henry  Floer- 
sheim,  Germania  and  Nottingham,  2 ; D.  M.  Anderson  mine,  1 ; 


402 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


J.  J.  Stytler,  Slope  mine,  1;  W.  N.  Verner,  Enterprise  and  N. 
W.  mine,  2;  T.  E.  Young,  Manown  and  Panhandle,  2;  G.  W. 
Schluederberg,  Oakdale,  1 ; G.  W.  Schluederberg,  Robbins’  in- 
terest, 8 mines,  F.  H.  Chapman,  Standard  Coal  Co.,  1 ; R. 
H.  Boyle,  Hackett,  1 ; Roger  Hartley,  Enterprise ; Frank 
Armstrong,  Summer  Hill,  1 ; Frank  Armstrong,  National,  1 ; 
Fred  Greiner,  Morgan,  1;  Alexander  Black,  Nixon,  1;  Alex- 
ander Dempster,  Bower  Hill,  1. 

Henry  Floersheim,  operator,  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tion, seconded  by  Operator  Chapman : 

Whereas,  All  efforts  to  establish  true  uniformity  in  the 
Pittsburg  district  have  failed,  and  it  is  known  that  certain 
operators  who  bound  themselves  at  the  October  joint  con- 
vention to  pay  the  64-cent  cash  and  69-cent  rate  where  stores 
are  being  run  in  connection  with  the  mines  have  violated  the 
agreement;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  determine  who  are  the  obstruc- 
tionists to  uniformity,  that  a committee  of  two  miners  and 
two  operators  be  appointed  to  conduct  a thorough  investiga- 
tion as  to  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  district.  The  dutj' 
of  this  committee  shall  be  to  inspect  the  pay  rolls  of  all  oper- 
ators to  ascertain  the  price  paid  for  digging;  also  to  ascer- 
tain if  the  scales  are  correct,  screens  of  the  proper  size  and 
no  deductions  except  for  checkweighmen,  rent  and  smithing. 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  of  this  work  be  borne  by  the 
Pittsburg  Railroad  Coal  Operators’  Association,  and  that  a 
list  of  fair  and  unfair  operators  be  published  in  the  daily 
press. 

By  motion,  the  following  committee  on  resolutions  and 
and  business  was  appointed  and  Floersheim’s  resolution  re- 
ferred to  this  committee:  Chapman,  Wilson,  Dysart,  San- 

ford, J.  W.  O’Neil,  Young,  G.  W.  Schluederberg,  operators; 
Charles  Wallace,  William  Dodds,  A.  Savage,  Ed.  McKay, 
James  Hoey,  J.  T.  Heffran,  Peter  Sample,  miners. 

By  motion,  national  and  district  miners’  officials  were 
given  the  same  privilege  as  in  the  last  convention — a voice  and 
seat. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  3 :30  o’clock  p.  m.  The  com- 
mittee on  resolutions  reported  the  following : 


Pittsburg  Joint  Conference 


403 


Resolved,  That  the  price  of  mining  a ton  of  2,000  pounds 
of  11/2-inch  screened  lump  coal  shall  be  — cents  per  ton  from 
January  1,  1896,  until  March  31,  1896,  and  — cents  per  ton 
from  April  1 to  December  31,  1896.  But  in  accordance  with 
the  agreement  entered  into  by  us  in  the  joint  convention  of 
operators  and  miners  of  October  12,  1895,  the  price  paid  for 
mining  a ton  of  2,000  pounds  of  li/2-inch  screened  lump  coal 
shall  be  the  price  per  ton  paid  by  the  New  York  & Cleveland 
Gas  Coal  company,  and  shall  so  continue  following  down- 
ward, if  necessary,  the  price  paid  by  them,  until  they  shall 
pay  the  price  above  agreed  upon  to  be  paid  by  the  district; 
provided,  that  all  operators  claiming  contract  under  this 
agreement  must  further  agree  that  they  will  abolish  their 
stores  owned  by  the  coal  companies  and  individuals,  known 
as  “Company  Stores,”  on  or  before  January  1,  1896,  and  that 
after  that  date  no  mine  owner,  superintendent,  mine  clerk, 
or  boss,  shall  either  directly  or  indirectly  be  interested  in  or 
connected  with  such  stores.  Where  stores  of  the  above  name 
are  maintained  at  mines,  the  price  for  mining  at  such  mines 
shall  be  20  cents  per  ton  over  and  above  the  district  price. 

Resolved,  That  in  cases  where  it  is  believed  that  the  above 
conditions  are  not  being  fulfilled,  a committee  of  ten — five 
operators  and  five  miners — appointed  by  this  convention, 
shall  have  power  to  investigate  and  report  on  all  such  cases, 
and  when  it  shall  be  found  that  any  operator  is  not  fulfilling 
the  above  conditions,  he  shall  not  be  allowed  any  participation 
in  the  above  agreement.  This  is  to  be  a standing  committee, 
and  shall  have  the  power  to  declare  the  price  to  be  paid  for 
mining  in  the  district  until  the  above  conditions  shall  have 
been  entirely  fulfilled. 

Resolved,  That  we  reaffirm  all  covenants  and  agreements 
entered  into  by  us  in  our  joint  convention  of  October  10,  11 
and  12,  referred  to  above. 

Resolved,  That  the  first  part  of  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  resolutions  and  business,  referring  to  price  and 
condition,  be  referred  to  a scale  committee  consisting  of  three 
operators  and  three  miners,  to  be  appointed  by  the  chair.  The 
committee  appointed  for  the  miners,  George  Wilson,  Walter 
Calverly  and  Thomas  Kirsop;  operators,  G.  W.  Schlueder- 
berg,  J.  C.  Dysart  and  F.  Osborne. 

Resolution  No.  1 withdrawn. 

Second  and  third  resolutions  were  adopted. 

Convention  adjourned. 


404 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


WEDNESDAY’S  SESSION, 

Convention  came  to  order  at  10 :30  a.  m. 

Scale  committee  reported,  having  met  in  the  Coal  Associa- 
tion rooms,  Carnegie  Building,  Tuesday  evening.  They  failed 
to  agree.  After  discussing  the  position  from  both  sides  until 
noon,  the  convention  adjourned  for  dinner  for  both  sides  to 
reconvene  in  the  afternoon  to  discuss  the  question  alone. 

MINERS’  CONVENTION. 

Wednesday  afternoon  the  session  came  to  order  with  Pres- 
ident J.  A.  Cairns  in  the  chair. 

After  much  discussion  the  scale  committee  was  instructed 
to  advocate  69  and  74  cents. 

Moved,  That  the  dead  work  scale  be  rearranged.  Carried. 

Operators  were  admitted  and  jointly  convened  at  4 o’clock, 
with  Chairman  D.  M.  Anderson  in  the  chair. 

After  much  discussion  from  both  sides  the  convention 
again  referred  the  question  of  price  to  scale  committee  and 
adjourned, 

THURSDAY’S  SESSION. 

The  miners  met  at  10  o’clock. 

George  Wilson  of  the  scale  committee  reported  the  com- 
mittee had  failed  to  agree  again. 

Moved,  That  the  report  be  received  and  acted  upon.  Car- 
ried. 

Moved,  as  a substitute  for  the  motion  and  amendments 
offered.  That  the  scale  committee  be  empowered  to  settle  the 
price.  Carried. 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

Thursday’s  afternoon  session  came  to  order  at  4:30,  to 
hear  the  report  of  scale  committee. 

After  hearing  the  report  of  the  scale  committee  and  a few 
minor  changes,  the  following  report  was  adopted  as  the  act 
of  this  convention : 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  5th  day  of 
December,  1895,  by  and  between  coal  mine  operators  and  coal 
miners  of  the  Pittsburg  railroad  districts,  witaesseth ; First, 
that  price  for  mining  coal  screened  over  1^-inch  screen  shall 
be  64  cents  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds  from  January  1,  1896, 


Pittsburg  Joint  Conference 


405 


to  March  1,  and  70  cents  a ton  from  March  1 to  December  31, 
1896;  that  the  day  and  dead  work  scale  agreed  to  by  the  joint 
convention  of  operators  and  miners,  held  October  10,  11  and 
12,  1895,  is  hereby  reaffirmed  and  becomes  a part  of  this 
agreement;  as  follows: 

At  a convention  of  miners  and  operators  held  in  Pittsburg 
October  10,  11  and  12,  1895,  it  was  resolved  that  we  adopt 
the  rates  of  day  and  dead  work  of  1892,  based  upon  a 79-cent 
rate  for  mining,  and  to  rise  and  fall  in  proportion  to  the 
wages  paid  per  ton  for  mining,  and  the  following  schedule 
will  show  the  price  of  day  and  dead  work  to  be  paid  under 
several  mining  prices. 

Signed  for  the  miners : 

John  Cairns, 

William  A.  Warner. 

Signed  for  the  operators : 

George  W.  Schluederberg, 
Alexander  Dempster, 

T.  H.  Chapman. 


When  price  of  1%-inch  coal  is 

Clay  veins  6 inches  and  less  than  12  inches 

Anything  over  12  inches  at  the  rate  of,  per  foot 

Where  clay  veins  run  in  angle  across  the  room  or  entry 

there  shall  be  paid  while  it  continues,  per  yard 

Anything  6 inches  or  less  shall  be  considered  a “spar,”  for 

which  shall  be  paid 

And  where  the  “spar”  runs  in  an  angle  there  shall  be 


For  12  feet  places  former  prices  to  be  paid. 

Break-throughs,  per  yard 

Ripping  roof,  digging  drain,  thick  slate,  to  be  left  to  miners 
and  mine  boss. 

Pick  sharpening  to  be  1%  per  cent. 


price  is  now  paid. 


$0.64 

$0.70 

. 1.62 

1.77 

. 1.62 

1.77 

. .41 

.45 

. .81 

.88 

. .20 

.22 

. 2.03 

2.21 

. .81 

.88 

. 1.01 

1.10 

. 1.22 

1.33 

, .41 

.45 

. 1.62 

1.77 

. 1.83 

2.00 

fieulties 

a higher 

It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  this  contract  is  contingent 
on  the  following  conditions: 

“That  all  stores  owned  by  coal  companies  and  individual 
coal  operators  be  abolished,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution 
of  joint  conference,  October  10,  11  and  12,  1895,  that  all  stores 
owned  by  coal  companies,  known  as  company  stores,  be  abol- 
ished on  or  before  January  1,  1896,  and  that  after  that  date 
no  mine  owner,  superintendent  nor  mine  clerk,  either  direct- 
ly or  indirectly,  be  interested  or  connected  with  such  store ; 


406 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


“That  where  company  stores  exist  after  January  1,  1896, 
or  deductions  are  made  from  miners’  wages  in  the  interest  of 
any  store,  directly  or  indirectly,  the  employer  shall  be  re- 
garded as  keeping  a company  store  and  shall  pay  20  cents 
per  ton  extra  for  mining ; 

“That  there  shall  be  no  limit  on  wagons  at  any  mine; 

“That  the  recognized  screen  of  the  Pittsburg  district  shall 
not  exceed  60  superficial  feet,  with  li/o  inches  between  con- 
tinuous flat  bars;  screens  shall  be  free  from  obstructions; 
back-action  screens  shall  be  considered  as  screens  with  ob- 
structions. 

“Operators  shall  recognize  the  right  of  miners’  check- 
weighmen  of  their  own  selection,  whose  wages  shall  be  de- 
ducted by  the  company  from  miners’  wages.  It  is  further 
provided  that  checkweighmen  must  not  interfere  with  com- 
pany business  nor  shall  he  be  a member  of  mine  committees; 

“That  a committee  of  five  operators  and  five  miners  be 
appointed  by  this  convention  to  whom  shall  be  referred  all 
questions  of  difference  arising  under  this  contract,  and  that 
said  committee  shall,  between  January  1 and  16,  meet  to  can- 
vass the  situation,  and  if  they  find  that  the  above  provisions 
have  been  complied  with,  and  the  New  York  & Cleveland  Gas 
Coal  Company  is  paying  the  district  price  of  64  cents,  then 
the  committee  shall  declare  this  contract  in  effect,  but  if  the 
company  is  not  paying  said  district  price,  they  shall  declare 
the  prices  being  paid  by  the  said  New  York  & Cleveland  Gas 
Coal  Company  the  price  to  be  paid  in  the  Pittsburg  district. 
This  shall  apply  during  the  existence  of  the  contract. 

“Pay  days  shall  be  the  10th  and  25th  of  each  month. 
Miners  shall  be  paid  on  the  10th  for  the  wages  earned  in  the 
last  fifteen  days  of  the  preceding  month,  and  on  the  25th 
the  wages  of  the  first  fifteen  days  of  the  current  month ; pro- 
vided, that  nothing  in  this  contract  shall  be  construed  to  pre- 
vent operators  now  paying  every  two  weeks  from  continuing 
to  do  so.” 

Adjourned  until  Friday,  10  a.  m.,  to  hear  the  report  of 
scale  committee  on  machine  mining. 

REPORT  OF  SCALE  COMMITTEE. 

The  price  of  machine  mining,  where  Harrison  & Inger- 
soll  or  pick  machines  are  used,  shall  be  one-fifth  of  the  price 
of  pick  mining  for  cutting,  and  one-half  for  loading.  It  is 
recommended  that  the  price  of  driving  entry,  or  narrow  work 
with  machines  shall  be,  for  the  Jeffrey  chain  or  bar  machine,  3 
cents  per  ton  over  and  above  the  regular  price  for  cutting  in 
rooms ; for  loading,  13  cents  per  ton  for  the  Harrison,  or  pick 


Pittsburg  Joint  Conference 


407 


machines,  5 cents  per  ton  over  and  above  the  regular  price 
for  cutting,  and  13  cents  for  loading. 

Where  it  is  preferred  to  pay  by  yard,  the  price  on  the  Har- 
rison machine  for  cutting  and  loading  shall  be  30  per  cent 
less  than  the  regularly  established  district  price  for  yardage 
by  pick  mining  and  for  the  Jeffrey  chain  or  cutter  bar  ma- 
chine, 37  per  cent  less,  to  be  divided  between  cutter  and 
loader,  in  the  same  relative  proportion  as  paid  for  room  work. 

Where  the  entries  are  of  sufficient  width  to  enable  the 
machine  miner  to  turn  the  room,  the  operator  shall  pay  the 
pick  price  for  mining  for  such  work. 

The  price  for  room  turning  with  Jeffrey  machine  to  be 
$2,  based  upon  a 64-cent  rate  of  pick  mining,  of  which  the 
cutter  is  to  receive  one-third,  or  65  cents,  and  the  loader  two- 
thirds,  or  $1.35. 

The  price  for  room  turning  with  the  Harrison  machine 
shall  be  $2.35,  based  on  64-cent  pick  mining,  of  which  the 
cutter  shall  receive  $1  and  the  loader  $1.35. 

After  the  scale  for  machine  mining  has  been  tried  and 
found  to  be  unjust  to  any  person  interested,  the  committee 
of  ten  shall  take  up  the  question,  and  if  necessary  readjust 
the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  ten  appointed  by  this  con- 
vention, with  power  to  act,  in  putting  into  effect  and  enforc- 
ing all  the  covenants  and  agreements  entered  into  by  us  shall 
also  have  full  power  and  authority  to  interpret  any  part  of 
these  agreements  and  to  act  as  arbitrators  in  case  of  difficulty 
at  any  of  the  mines  operating  under  said  agreement,  and  that 
in  all  cases  their  decision  shall  be  final  and  binding  upon 
all  parties. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  miners: 

Walter  Calverly, 

George  Wilson, 

Thomas  Kirsop, 

Cameron  Miller, 

Pat  McBryde, 

J.  A.  Cairns, 

P.  H.  Penna, 

William  Warner,  Secretary  of  Convention. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  operators : 

J.  C.  Dysart, 

G.  W.  SCHLUEDERBERG, 

F.  M.  Osborne, 

D.  M.  Anderson,  Chairman  of  Convention. 

Scale  committee  reported  the  following  on  differential, 
which  was  adopted  as  amended. 


408 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  the  relative  price  of  differential  between 
the  thick  and  thin  vein  shall  be  the  same  relative  differential 
as  in  1892,  which  would  make  a difference  of  14  cents  per  ton 
in  the  Youghiogheny  Valley  and  13  cents  per  ton  in  the  Mo- 
nongahela  Valley,  when  mining  in  the  thin  vein  is  64  cents 
per  ton,  and  to  advance  and  decline  with  the  percentage  of 
difference. 

Amendment,  That  this  standing  committee  have  the  power 
to  decide  any  question  that  may  arise  as  to  the  geographical 
line  of  thick  and  thin  vein  coal. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  P.  H.  Penna  and 
seconded  by  F.  L.  Robbins : 

Inasmuch  as  the  mining  question  in  this  district  has  be- 
come one  of  public  interest,  and  inasmuch  as  the  daily  press 
of  this  city  has  manifested  such  interest  in  presenting  the 
question  at  issue  to  the  public  scrutiny ; therefore, 

Resolved,  That  when  the  joint  committee  appointed  by  this 
convention  meets  to  canvass  the  situation  to  decide  whether 
true  uniformity  prevails  or  not,  that  the  editors  of  all  the 
daily  newspapers  in  this  city  be  invited  to  attend  and  be- 
come a part  of  said  joint  committee. 

The  following  committee  of  ten  was  appointed : 

Miners — P.  H.  Penna,  J.  A.  Cairns,  William  Warner,  Ed 
McKay,  George  Wilson. 

Operators — G.  W.  Schluederberg,  F.  M.  Osborne,  T.  E. 
Young,  John  Blythe,  Roger  Hartley;  John  C.  Dysart,  alter- 
nate. 

A vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  the  chairman  of  the  conven- 
tion. 

After  some  very  appropriate  remarks  by  Chairman  D.  M. 
Anderson,  the  convention  adjourned. 

William  Warner,  Secretarj^-Treasurer. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


SEVENTH  ANNUAL  NATIONAL  PROCEEDINGS. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  April  14,  1896. 
Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Penna;  P.  Mc- 
Bryde,  Secretary. 

The  president  appointed  W.  C.  Pearce,  of  Ohio,  assistant 
secretary.  John  Eddy,  Chairman  of  the  Credentials  Commit- 
tee, reported  the  following  delegates  entitled  to  seats  in  the 
convention : 

District  1 — John  Fahy,  Miles  Daugherty,  P.  J.  Friel. 
District  5 — John  Evans,  Cameron  Miller,  Patrick  Mc- 
Bryde,  P.  H.  Penna,  Richard  Johns,  George  Wilson,  Andrew 
Savage,  Lawrence  Magdalene,  Joseph  Pierce,  Silas  Cole,  Owen 
Cruse,  James  Buckan,  Richard  Gibbs,  Pat  Dolan,  William 
Warner,  J.  M.  Larkins. 

District  6 — T.  L.  Lewis,  H.  B.  Jones,  John  Lanthorn,  W. 
C.  Pearce,  H.  A.  Banning,  J.  H.  Barnes,  John  Spriggs,  T.  L. 
Richards,  Henry  Shires,  Joseph  Evans,  Ralph  Mason, 
Ephraim  Patrick,  Edmund  Thomas,  Andrew  Moore,  M.  D. 
Ratchford,  George  Cecil,  I.  N.  Coleman,  Frank  Allison, 
Thomas  Barton,  Frank  Voorhees,  James  O’Hara,  R.  L.  Davis, 
Harry  Elliott,  Dell  Beard,  C.  H.  Smith,  L.  D.  Devore,  James 
Hennesy,  S.  W.  German,  John  Wardle,  Mike  Jackson,  Samuel 
S.  Kuhn,  E.  W.  Dowler,  D.  S.  Roberts,  D.  P.  Reese,  Arthur 
Bigrig,  William  Richards,  I.  C.  Slusser,  Dan  Oldroyd,  W.  H. 
Crawford. 

District  11 — J.  H.  Kennedy,  John  Buckley,  Dan  Llewellyn, 
G.  W.  Lackey,  Thomas  Moss,  R.  S.  Mann,  P.  H.  Penna,  G.  W. 
Purcell,  John  Kane.  . 

District  12 — James  O’Connor,  William  Monaghan,  Alex 
Morton,  John  Hunter,  George  D.  Miller,  J.  A.  Crawford,  W. 
J.  Guyman,  J.  M.  Carson. 

District  17 — Henry  Stephenson. 

District  19— W.  C.  Webb. 

New  River  District — W.  S.  Penman,  Harrison  Lusk,  John 
Gillison,  Charles  Jones. 


(409) 


410 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Motion,  to  adopt  committee’s  report.  Adopted. 

John  F.  Tobin  addressed  the  convention  in  the  interest  of 
the  boot  and  shoemaker’s  label. 

Senator  Hysell  then  addressed  the  convention  on  labor 
representation. 

We,  your  committee  on  order  of  business,  beg  leave  to  re- 
port the  following : 

1.  The  hours  of  meeting  shall  be  from  8:30  a.  m.  until 
12  m. ; from  1 :30  p.  m.  until  5 p.  m. 

2.  No  representative  will  be  allowed  to  speak  longer  than 
five  minutes  on  any  one  question  without  permission  of  the 
convention. 

3.  Cushing’s  Manual  shall  govern  the  action  of  this  con- 
vention when  not  otherwise  provided  for. 

Moved  to  adopt.  Carried. 

The  committees  appointed  were  as  follows : 

Resolutions — Michael  Ratchford,  William  Warner,  J.  H. 
Barnes,  John  Fahy,  W.  H.  Crawford. 

Constitution — G.  W.  Purcell,  T.  L.  Lewis,  T.  L.  Richards, 
R.  S.  Mann,  J.  M.  Carson. 

Officers’  Reports — James  O’Connor,  Miles  Daugherty, 
James  Hennesy. 

Order  of  Business — J.  H.  Kennedy,  W.  C.  Webb,  W.  S. 
Penman,  Thomas  Barton,  Richard  Johns. 

Grievances — R.  L.  Davis,  M.  Jackson,  G.  W.  Lackey,  W.  J. 
Guyman,  Daniel  Llewellyn. 

Distribution — George  Wilson,  Ralph  Mason. 

Here  President  Penna  delivered  his  annual  address. 

The  president  made  an  elaborate  report  to  the  delegates 
attending  the  seventh  annual  convention  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America  held  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  April  14-17, 
1896.  He  said  in  part : / 

“The  year  through  which  we  have  passed  has  been  a verj* 
eventful  one,  one  in  which  the  adhesiveness  of  trades  unionism 
and  unionists  have  been  thoroughly  tried.  A year  in  which 
disappointments,  low  wages,  adverse  conditions  and  an  empty 
treasury  have  been  our  chief  possessions;  that  the  existence 
of  these  conditions,  in  many  instances,  was  but  the  signal 
for  attack  by  open  enemies  and  pseudo  friends,  masquerading 


Seventh  Annual  Convention 


411 


in  the  garb  of  undying  devotion  to  trade  union  principles, 
men  with  disappointed  ambition,  and  those  to  whom  slander 
is  natural,  attempted  to  destroy  that  which  they  could  not 
control.”  His  report  in  dealing  with  the  De  Armit  situation 
and  the  refusal  on  the  part  of  Pittsburg  operators  to  join  in 
the  adoption  of  an  inter-state  scale  of  prices,  bristled  with 
sentiments  of  arrow  point  penetration,  the  sting  of  which  was 
rather  uncomfortable  to  bear.  The  non-subscribers  to  the 
Journal  were  treated  with  their  just  share  of  retribution  for 
their  lack  of  support  in  the  maintenance  of  the  strongest 
friend  they  have  in  time  of  need.  He  quoted  circulars  sent 
out  in  May,  1895,  calling  representatives  of  the  miners  to- 
gether from  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio,  western  Pennsylvania 
and  West  Virginia  for  a convention  that  was  held  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  May  29,  1895,.  to  consider  the  mining  situation  as 
it  presented  itself  in  those  districts.  As  a foot  note  to  the 
circular  he  added;  “Delegates  to  this  convention  will  pay 
their  own  expenses.”  He  said  sixty-one  delegates  were  pres- 
ent, fifty  of  whom  represented  Ohio  miners ; six  from  Indiana, 
one  from  Pennsylvania,  one  from  Illinois  and  three  from  West 
Virginia.  In  dealing  with  the  suspension,  he  said : “From 

the  meager  representation  from  districts  other  than  Ohio,  it 
was  apparent  to  all  present  that  interest  necessary  to  inaug- 
urate and  carry  to  a successful  issue  a suspension  in  the  dis- 
tricts named  did  not  exist.”  On  this  point  he  made  the  fur- 
ther statement,  and  the  convention  agreed  with  him,  “I  don’t 
believe  that  the  miners  of  Illinois  or  the  block  coal  field  of 
Indiana  or  West  Virginia  or  western  Pennsylvania  could  be 
induced  to  join  in  a general  suspension  at  this  time.”  In  re- 
ferring to  the  advisability  of  a joint  meeting  of  operators  and 
miners  to  consider  the  making  of  a joint  scale  of  prices  for 
Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  with  Messrs.  Sweet  and  Bent  from 
Illinois,  Tally  and  Broughton  from  Indiana,  Morton  and  John- 
son from  Ohio  representing  the  operators;  the  national  of- 
ficials, together  with  President  Ratchford  of  Ohio  as  repre- 
sentative of  the  miners.  He  said:  “After  a full  discussion 

of  the  situation,  the  conference  dissolved  with  the  tacit  under- 
standing that  the  Pittsburg  district  was  too  large  a factor  to 
be  ignored.”  The  operators  present  expressed  a willingness, 


'412 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


however,  to  meet  any  time  if  Pittsburg  operators  would  join 
them  in  such  a convention. 

President  Penna  stated  that  he  desired  as  an  act  of  justice 
to  say  publicly  that  the  miners  of  the  Pittsburg  district  and 
all  others  alfected  by  conditions  therein,  are  under  lasting 
obligations  to  George  W.  Schluederberg,  associated  with 
Robbin’s  interest,  and  T.  E,  Young  of  the  Youghiogheny  Coal 
Company  for  their  untiring  interests  as  they  would  be  affected 
by  the  enforcement  of  the  uniformity  contract.  He  also  ad- 
vised an  expression  of  gratitude  to  Governor  Altgeld  of  Illi- 
nois appreciative  of  his  action  in  pardoning  our  fellow  miners 
who  he  believed  were  imprisoned  only  in  response  to  public 
clamor  and  without  respect  to  the  claims  of  justice. 

The  company  store,  with  its  evil  tendencies,  he  said  were 
surrounded  with  limitations  which  bespeaks  its  departure  and 
added : “Our  worst  opponents  in  our  efforts  to  rid  ourselves 
of  this  system  are  our  craftsmen,  who,  in  many  instances, 
persist  in  petitioning  their  employers  to  reopen  their  stores 
and  return  to  their  old  system  of  issuing  orders  thereon.” 
“I  advise  that  you,  by  resolution,  protest  against  this  conduct 
of  miners,  and  request  employers,  annoyed  by  such  petitions, 
to  discharge  the  petitioners  and  pledge  him  the  support  of  our 
organization  in  ridding  himself  of  their  presence.” 

Constitutional  amendments  were  suggested  that  would 
force  local  unions  to  pay  the  same  dues  to  the  national  union 
as  was  paid  to  the  district  unions ; in  view  of  the  fact  that  the 
time  for  making  annual  wage  settlements  had  been  changed 
from  April  to  December,  he  advised  that  the  time  for  holding 
the  annual  conventions  be  changed  to  the  second  Tuesday  in 
January  of  each  year. 

On  the  question  of  politics,  he  closed  his  report  by  saying : 
“The  burden  is  becoming  heavier  than  the  people  can  bear 
and  unless  we  go  into  politics,  ascertain  the  truth,  know  our 
rights,  and  knowing  them  fearlessly  assert  them,  and  soon 
change  this  government  from  one  of,  by  and  for  the  gold 
syndicate  and  landlordism  into  one  of,  by  and  for  the  people, 
all  that  remains  to  us  of  liberty  will  be  lost.” 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

P.  H.  Penna,  President. 


Seventh  Annual  Convention 


413 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  report  of  Secretary  Patrick  McBryde,  while  dealing 
to  some  extent  with  the  bitters  and  sweets  of  official  position, 
the  prerogative  of  the  members  to  bless  or  damn  their  leaders 
as  the  spirit  moved  them,  generally  speaking  was  confined  to 
the  finances  connected  with  his  work  as  secretary. 

After  asking  for  a more  lenient  consideration  of  the  work 
done  by  his  successor  in  office,  he  closed  his  report  with  the 
following  statement : 

‘T  regret  my  inability  to  report  to  this  convention  that  the 
year  just  closed  was  a prosperous  one — the  reverse  was  the 
case.  When  our  convention  closed  last  year  the  organization 
was  over  $500  in  debt;  the  debt  continued  to  increase  until 
the  $3,000  mark  was  reached ; the  officials  kept  the  ship  afloat, 
watching  for  the  opportunity  of  improving  the  conditions  of 
the  miners,  knowing  well  by  doing  so  the  organization  would 
soon  regain  its  strength  and  power.  The  opportunity  pre- 
sented itself  in  the  struggle  for  uniformity  in  the  Pittsburg 
district.  With  the  advance  in  wages  the  miners  began  to  flock 
back  to  the  organization ; the  debt  began  to  get  gradually  less 
until  at  the  end  of  March  it  was  reduced  more  than  one-half 
and  the  organization  had,  to  meet  that  debt,  $1,155.77.  I 
expect  when  this  convention  adjourns  the  debt  of  the  organi- 
zation will  be  almost  wiped  out. 

'Tf,  during  my  term  of  office,  I have  in  any  way  offended 
the  members  of  our  organization,  I can  assure  them  I feel 
heartily  sorry  and  trust  they  will  forget  it.  At  the  same  time 
I have  to  thank  the  officials  and  members  for  the  many  kind- 
nesses received  at  their  hands.  To  no  one  am  I more  indebted 
than  to  my  able  assistant,  George  Douglas,  who  has  handled 
more  than  $200,000  of  the  organization’s  money,  not  one  cent 
of  which  has  not  been  accounted  for.  I feel  that  I would  be 
ungrateful  did  I not  publicly  thank  him  for  his  honesty,  abil- 
ity, and  the  faithfulness  and  accuracy  in  which  he  discharged 
his  duties.  P.  McBryde.” 

The  following  report  of  the  auditors  shows  where  and  for 
what  purpose  the  money  was  received  and  expended. 


414 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Columbus,  Ohio,  April  14,  1896. 

To  the  Representatives  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica assembled  at  the  seventh  annual  convention : 

Gentlemen — We,  your  auditing  committee,  beg  leave  to 
submit  the  following  report  of  receipts  and  expenditures  of 
the  organization  from  January  1,  1895,  to  March  31,  1896: 

Income. 

First  quarter — January,  February  and  !March: 


Balance  from  last  audit .$496.83 

Tax  5,147.65 

Supplies  194.69 

Journal  837.79 

Miscellaneous 15.00 


.$6,691.96 

Expenses. 

Ollicers’  salaries  and  expenses .$4,331.32 

Central  Traffic  Association 11.00 

Mileage  1,217.32 

City  taxes  5.80 

Sujjplies  639.43 

Office  expenses  201.85 

Telegrapli,  postage  and  expressage 257.22 

6,663.94 


April  1,  1895,  to  Mardi  31,  1896,  inc.,  by  balance $28.02 

Income. 

Tax  11,898.43 

Supplies  974.50 

.Tournal  2,220.63 

Miscellaneous 158.50 

Total  $15,280.08 


Expenditures. 


Salaries  and  expenses $10,178.93 

Supplies  1,935.32 

Office  expenses 734.00 

Telegrams,  postage  and  express 661.66 

Miscellaneous 614.40 

14,124.31 


Balance  on  hand  April  1,  1896 $1,155.77 


Your  committee  has  made  two  audits;  the  first  in  May  for 
the  months  of  January.  February  and  l\Iarch,  1895,  and  the 
second  for  the  year  ending  March  31,  1896.  We  can  say  the 
same  as  the  previous  auditors,  that  the  books  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America  are  kept  with  such  a system  that 
any  committee  with  the  slightest  knowledge  of  bookkeeping 
can  examine  them  with  correctness  and  dispatch.  All  bills 


Seventh  Annual  National  Convention 


415 


and  credits  were  on  file,  every  one  of  which  was  itemized,  so 
as  to  show  where  every  cent  of  the  money  expended  had  gone. 
The  accounts  were  correct  in  every  particular. 

Yours  respectfully, 

H.  Stephenson, 

P.  Hines, 

Auditors. 

The  auditors’  report  as  read  was  adopted,  and  the  conven- 
tion adjourned  to  give  the  committees  time  to  report. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

President  Penna  called  the  convention  to  order. 

The  committee  appointed  to  revise  the  constitution  sub- 
mitted the  following  amendments  for  consideration,  which 
were  adopted : 

■Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  National  Union  shall  be 
derived  from  local  unions  and  local  assemblies,  which  shall 
pay  direct  to  the  secretary -treasurer  ten  (10)  cents  per  month 
per  member ; fractional  members  shall  pay  in  proportion.  The 
local  secretary  shall  fill  out  and  forward  to  the  national  and 
district  secretaries  a monthly  report  of  the  members  in  good 
standing  in  the  local  union  or  assembly ; said  report  to  be  for- 
warded to  the  national  and  district  secretaries  on  or  before 
the  25th  of  each  month. 

Section  2.  In  filling  out  the  monthly  report,  the  local  sec- 
retary shall  report  to  the  national  office,  on  blanks  for  that 
purpose,  the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number  of  mem- 
bers reported  to  the  district,  and  to  the  district  office  the 
amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number  of  members  reported 
to  the  national  secretary. 

Section  3.  The  National  Convention  shall  be  held  an- 
nually on  the  second  Tuesday  in  January  at  such  place  as  may 
be  determined  upon  by  the  preceding  convention.  Special  con- 
ventions shall  be  called  by  the  president  or  master  workman, 
when  so  instructed  by  the  executive  board,  or  at  the  request  of 
five  different  unions  or  divisions. 

Section  4.  Representatives  to  the  national  convention 
from  affiliated  districts,  divisions  or  locals  shall  have  one  vote 
for  100  members  or  less,  and  an  additional  vote  for  each  100 
members  or  majority  fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative 
shall  have  more  than  five  votes,  and  no  person  shall  be  eligible 
as  representative,  who  is  not,  or  has  not  been,  a practical 
miner. 

Section  5.  No  local  assembly  or  local  union  shall  be  en- 


416 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


titled  to  representation  in  the  national  convention  that  is  in 
arrears  for  dues  or  assessments  for  three  (3)  months  pre- 
ceding the  month  in  which  the  national  convention  is  held,  and 
who  has  not  in  every  particular  complied  with  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  district  in  which  said  local  assembly  or  local  union 
may  be  located. 

Section  6.  No  locals  shall  be  exempt  from  paying  per 
capita  tax  unless  they  have  been  idle  one  month.  In  all  cases 
where  local  unions  or  local  assemblies  desire  exoneration  from 
dues,  same  request  shall  be  signed  by  the  president  and  secre- 
tary and  mine  committee. 

Article  YI. 

Section  1.  All  nominations  for  national  offices  shall  be 
sent  to  the  national  secretary  not  later  than  two  months  be- 
fore the  annual  convention;  said  nominations  shall  be  com- 
piled by  him  and  sent  out  not  later  than  two  weeks  prior  to  the 
convention,  and  no  person  shall  be  elected  to  any  office  unless 
his  name  has  been  sent  to  all  locals  as  above  specified.  The 
national  secretary  shall  publish  the  name  of  no  candidate 
without  first  obtaining  his  consent.  Delegates  shall  come  to 
the  convention  instructed  to  vote  for  candidates  for  the  re- 
spective positions,  which  vote  shall  be  recorded  and  become 
a part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  and  the  following 
were  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  American  Federation  of  Labor  contemplates 
the  inauguration  of  an  eight-hour  workday,  and  many  of  the 
affiliated  trades  have  expressed  their  willingness  in  the  move- 
ment; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  express  our  sincere  approval  of  the 
same,  and  hereby  extend  our  hearty  co-Operation  to  all  who 
may  be  called  upon  to  take  the  initiative. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  mining  coal  in  the  Wilming- 
ton, Illinois,  coal  field  should,  in  the  opinion  of  this  conven- 
tion, be  separated  from  the  price  now  being  paid  for  mining 
coal,  keeping  roads,  etc.,  and  that  the  price  should  be  made  to 
read,  as  it  formerly  did,  621/2  cents  per  ton,  summer  price; 
winter  price,  70  cents  per  ton,  and  that  the  additional  15  cents 
per  ton  now  being  paid  for  mining  in  that  field  be  accredited 
to  brushing,  keeping  roads,  etc. 

Whereas,  The  effort  to  abolish  the  company  store  in  the 
Pittsburg  district  has,  in  nearly  every  instance,  been  success- 
ful. 

Resolved,  That  we  discourage  such  practices  everj-where. 
and  earnestly  appeal  to  our  members  and  others  of  our  trade, 
in  districts  named,  to  demand  cash  for  their  labor;  and  be  it 
further 


Seventh  Annual  National  Convention 


417 


Resolved,  That  all  other  districts  be  urged  to  take  such 
action  as  will  wipe  the  infamous  truck  store  out  of  existence. 

Whereas,  We  recognize  the  efficacy  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  Journal,  both  as  an  organizer  and  educator  of  our 
craft,  and 

Whereas,  That  hearty  support  to  which  it  is  entitled  has 
been  withheld;  Therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  each  delegate  present,  also  local  secre- 
taries take  upon  themselves  the  duties  of  procuring  sub- 
scribers and  circulating  the  same  in  their  respective  local- 
ities. 

Moved  that  we  now  adjourn  until  1 :30.  Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

At  the  afternoon  session  the  uniformity  contract  in  the 
Pittsburg  district  was  considered  and  the  following  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  contract  in  the  Pittsburg  district,  named 
the  “true  uniformity  contract,”  did  not  become  operative,  by 
reason  of  a failure  to  secure  the  requisite  number  of  signa- 
tures; and 

Whereas,  A failure  to  maintain  the  scale  price  in  the 
Pittsburg  district  during  the  scale  year  means  reduction  to 
the  miners  of  Ohio,  with  its  attendant  confusion  and  want; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  apy  attempt  on  the  part  of  any  operator 
to  reduce  mining  rates  during  the  existence  of  the  present 
wage  scale  in  the  Pittsburg  district  be  promptly  met  with  the 
opposition  of  our  organization,  and  that  we  pledge  our  hearty 
support  to  any  body  of  men  whom  we  may  have  reason  to 
call  out  on  strike  for  the  maintenance  of  scale  rates. 

Adopted. 


COMMITTEE  ON  OFFICERS’  REPORTS. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention : We,  your  Committee  on 

Officers’  Reports,  beg  leave  to  report  that,  owing  to  the  nature 
of  the  reports  of  the  president  and  secretary,  there  is  but 
little  for  us  to  say.  The  president  advises  that  we  express, 
by  resolution,  our  gratitude  to  Governor  Altgeld,  of  Illinois, 
for  releasing  our  fellow  miners  from  the  state  penitentiary  at 
Joliet.  The  president  also  advises  that  you  express  your  dis- 
approval of  the  conduct  of  those  miners,  who,  where  “truck 
stores”  have  been  abolished,  are  petitioning  their  employers 
for  a return  to  that  infamous  method  of  paying  wages.  We 
recommend  the  same  to  your  consideration. 


418 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  secretary’s  report  is  a masterly  exposition  of  the  min- 
ing situation.  It  will  prove  invaluable  to  the  student  of  min- 
ing affairs.  The  committee  regrets  exceedingly  that  trades 
unionism  in  America,  and  especially  the  miners’  union,  is 
about  to  lose  the  services  of  one  so  singularly  gifted  and  so 
well  equipped  in  every  respect  for  advocating  the  cause  of 
labor  as  is  our  secretary,  Patrick  McBryde.  His  long  years 
of  faithful  service  in  behalf  of  the  miners  of  this  country  will 
always  be  remembered,  and  in  his  retirement  to  private  life 
he  will  carry  with  him  the  good  will  and  respect  of  the  brain- 
iest men,  not  only  of  his  trade,  but  of  the  labor  movement  in 
America. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted. 

At  this  point  John  McBride  was  called  on  to  address  the 
convention.  He  made  a most  exhaustive  and  interesting 
speech,  and  was  heartily  cheered  at  the  close  of  his  remarks. 

C.  R.  Martin,  secretary  of  the  Independent  Order  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor,  who  was  present,  was  called  upon  to  speak. 
Mr.  Martin  spoke  at  some  length,  and  was  applauded  for  his 
kind  words  of  encouragement. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  be  published  in  the  next  an- 
nual call  for  delegates  to  be  instructed : 

“Any  mine  within  the  territory  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers,  having  been  once  organized  for  a 
period  of  three  (3)  months,  and  allowing  itself  to  become 
lapsed,  defunct,  or  refusing  to  pay  dues  to  the  organization, 
shall  and  must  be  in  good  standing  for  a period  of  one  year 
previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  annual  convention,  before 
said  local  union  or  assembly  shall  be  entitled  to  representa- 
tion in  the  annual  or  special  conventions  of  the  national  or 
district  organizations.  This  section  to  take  effect  and  be  in 
force  on  and  after  July  1,  1897.” 

Adopted. 

The  convention  adjourned  until  Thursday  morning. 

THURSDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

President  Penna  in  the  chair. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions  reported  as  follows : 

Whereas,  The  Governor  of  Illinois,  J.  P.  Altgeld,  has 
judiciously  extended  executive  clemency  to  our  brother.  J.  S. 
Gehr,  and  his  comrades,  who  were  incarcerated  in  the  Illinois 
state  prison  for  alleged  participation  in  the  Little  Mine  riot; 
therefore,  be  it 


Seventh  Annual  National  Convention 


419 


Resolved,  That  the  seventh  annual  convention  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  recognizing  the  wise  dis- 
cretion shown  by  Gov.  John  P.  Altgeld’s  action  in  this  mat- 
ter, hereby  extend  to  him  our  full  appreciation  of  the  same; 
and  further  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  be  published  in  the  United  Mine 
Workers  Journal,  and  also  a copy  be  presented  to  Governor 
J.  P.  Altgeld. 

Adopted. 

Whereas,  The  New  York  and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Com- 
pany has,  for  years,  professed  their  willingness  to  pay  uni- 
form scale  rates,  provided  their  competitors  would  agree  to 
give  their  miners  the  same  conditions  as  those  said  to  be  en- 
joyed by  the  men  employed  by  the  New  York  and  Cleveland 
Gas  Coal  Company ; and 

Whereas,  Every  large  coal  company  in  the  Pittsburg  dis- 
trict complied  with  the  demands  of  the  New  York  and  Cleve- 
land Gas  Coal  Company  by  abolishing  their  company  stores 
and  paying  their  miners  in  cash ; and 

Whereas,  After  those  conditions  had  been  complied  with, 
the  president  of  the  New  York  and  Cleveland  Coal  Company, 
W.  P.  DeArmit,  has  refused  to  carry  out  the  pledges  made 
by  him  for  years,  and  is  at  the  present  time  paying  his  miners 
6 cents  per  ton  less  than  his  ironclad  contract  with  his  miners 
calls  for ; and 

Whereas,  The  conduct  of  the  president  of  the  New  York 
and  Cleveland  Company  brands  him  as  an  insincere  pre- 
tender; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  conduct  of  this  company  is  inexcusable 
and  outrageously  at  variance  with  its  oft  repeated  professions 
of  interest  in  the  miners’  well  being. 

Adopted. 

Owing  to  financial  conditions  after  the  national  suspen- 
sion, the  question  of  retaining  John  Fahy,  and  sending  George 
Harris  into  the  anthracite  coal  field,  was  referred  to  the  na- 
tional executive  board. 

Whereas,  Patrick  McBryde,  Secretary-Treasurer  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  has  loyally,  faithfully  and 
efficiently  served  the  humane  cause  of  labor  for  many  years, 
and  in  every  official  position  in  which  he  has  been  placed  he 
was  found  honest,  fearless  and  trustworthy ; and 

Whereas,  In  his  trade  union  career,  from  boyhood  to  man- 
hood in  the  coal  mines,  through  the  many  trusts  of  his  honor- 
able and  eventful  life,  Patrick  McBryde  has  displayed  a 


P.  H.  PENNA,  THIRD  PRESIDENT,  1895,  1896. 


Seventh  Annual  National  Convention 


421 


breadth  of  manhood,  a geniality  of  manner  and  a kindness  of 
spirit  which  commends  him  to  his  fellow  craftsmen;  there- 
fore be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  the  retirement  of  Patrick  McBryde  from 
the  office  of  Secretary-Treasurer  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America,  we  part  with  one  for  whom  we  have  most  pro- 
found esteem  and  regard,  and  shall  ever  hold  him  in  most 
grateful  affection  for  his  devoted  work  in  behalf  of  his  fel- 
low workmen ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  as  a token  of  our  appreciation  we  hereby 
elect  Patrick  McBryde  as  an  honorary  member  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Adopted. 

President  Penna  called  W.  E.  Farms  to  the  chair. 

Officers  elected — Secretary  McBryde  was  instructed  to 
cast  the  ballot  of  the  convention  for  P.  H.  Penna.  The  chair- 
man declared  P.  H.  Penna  elected  by  the  unanimous  vote  of 
the  convention. 

Vice-President,  Cameron  Miller. 

Secretary-Treasurer,  W.  C.  Pearce. 

Executive  Board  Members — P.  H.  Penna,  Cameron  Miller, 
C.  W.  Pearce,  John  Fahy,  Fred.  Dilcher,  James  O’Conner, 
Henry  Stephenson,  R.  L.  Davis,  R.  S.  Mann. 

W.  C.  Webb  informed  the  convention  that  he  desired  the 
90  votes  to  be  record,ed  to  him,  which  would  have  made  him 
one  of  the  members,  as  complimentary,  as  he  did  not  desire  to 
serve  as  a member  of  the  board. 

President  Ratchford  of  District  No.  6,  moved  that  the 
resignation  of  W.  C.  Webb  be  accepted,  and  for  the  manly 
stand  made  by  him  he  be  elected  an  honorary  member  of  our 
organization.  Adopted. 

Auditors  elected — W.  C.  Webb,  Joseph  Pierce. 

Delegates  to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  conven- 
tion— John  McBride,  Patrick  McBryde,  P.  H.  Penna,  M.  D. 
Ratchford. 

Alternates — James  O’Conner,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  W.  C. 
Pearce,  John  Fahy. 

Resolved,  That  on  account  of  the  misfortune  of  Delegate 
Magdalene,  whose  house  burned  while  he  was  here  in  Colum- 
bus, that  on  returning  home  the  delegates  request  each  local 


W.  C.  PEARCE,  SECRETARY,  ELECTED  1896. 


Seventh  Annual  National  Convention 


428 


to  send  $1  to  assist  the  brother,  the  amount  to  be  sent  to  the 
editor  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal. 

Adopted. 

Robert  Watchorn,  late  secretary  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers,  addressed  the  convention  on  the  immigration  ques- 
tion, after  which  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  respectfully  petition  the  honorable 
House  of  Representatives  and  Senate  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
to  favorably  pass  upon  this  question  at  the  present  session 
in  such  manner  as  will  tend  to  shield  the  immigrant  from 
the  misrepresentations  through  which  he  not  infrequently 
emigrates  to  the  United  States,  as  well  as  to  protect  us  from 
the  demoralizing  effects  resulting  in  the  present  system  of 
immigration. 

The  grievance  committee  reported  as  follows : 

Gentlemen  of  the  convention : We,  the  grievance  commit- 
tee, beg  leave  to  report  that  as  no  grievance  of  any  kind  or 
character  has  been  presented  to  us  for  our  consideration; 
therefore,  we  congratulate  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica that  no  matters  of  a general  character  have  arisen  dur- 
ing the  past  year  that  would  have  a tendency  to  create  dis- 
trust and  dissension  in  our  ranks. 

The  report  was  adopted,  and  the  convention  adjourned 
sine  die. 

P.  H.  Penna,  President. 

W.  C.  Peakce,  Secretary. 

Official  report  of  National  Trades  Assembly  No.  135,  In- 
dependent Order  of  Knights  of  Labor— delegates  elected  to 
the  General  Assembly:  “Immediately  on  the  adjournment  of 
the  convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  a 
meeting  of  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  Independent  Order 
of  Knights  of  Labor,  was  held,  and  after  an  address  by  gen- 
eral Secretary-Treasurer  Martin,  an  adjournment  was  had 
until  7 :30  p.  m.,  and  the  assembly  reconvened  in  the  Grand 
Central  Hotel  at  that  hour. 

“A  comparatively  large  delegation  was  present,  which  was 
very  gratifying  to  the  friends  of  the  new  organization.  Nine 
delegates  were  elected  to  the  General  Assembly  to  represent 
the  N.  T.  A.,  as  follows:  W.  B.  Wilson  and  Patrick  Dolan, 


424 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


of  Pennsylvania;  John  McBride,  Patrick  McBryde  and  T.  L. 
Lewis,  of  Ohio;  W.  C.  Webb,  of  Kentucky;  P.  H.  Penna  and 
John  H.  Kennedy,  of  Indiana,  and  James  O’Conner,  of  Illi- 
nois. 

“Local  Assembly  No.  1932,  known  as  Self-Abnegation,  was 
reorganized. 

“This  local  assembly  is  a necessity  under  the  twofold  char- 
acter of  the  organization,  which  demands  that  an  officer  must 
be  a member  of  both  branches.  Self-Abnegation  Local  Assem- 
bly, which  bears  the  number  1932,  is  provided  so  that  when 
a member,  who  is  a member  of  the  open  branch  only,  is  elected 
to  office,  he  may  at  once  be  initiated  into  the  secret  branch, 
and  thereby  be  fully  eligible  to  perform  the  functions  of  his 
office.  It  exists  under  special  dispensation  and  meets  once  a 
year.  P.  H.  Penna  and  W.  C.  Pearce  are  respectively  Master 
Workman  and  Secretary-Treasurer  of  National  Trades  As- 
sembly No.  135,  Independent  Order  of  Knights  of  Labor,  for 
the  ensuing  term;  and  the  National  Executive  Board  elect  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  are  the  executive  board 
of  the  secret  branch,  or  National  Trades  Assembly  No.  135. 
Messrs.  Penna  and  Pearce  are  also  Master  Workman  and  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer respectively  of  Self-Abnegation  Assembly, 
and  the  address  is  Room  81,  Clinton  Building,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

“P.  H.  Penna,  President  and  Master  Workman. 

“W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer.” 

SEVENTH  ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  PROCEEDINGS,  DIS- 
TRICT 11. 

Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  April  24,  1896. 

The  Seventh  Annual  Convention  of  District  No.  11,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  met  in  room  10  of  the  court  house 
in  this  city,  and  was  called  to  order  by  President  Purcell  at 
10  a.  m.,  Tuesday,  April  21.  The  following  committees  were 
appointed:  On  credentials — W.  D.  Van  Horn,  Eli  ]\Iott  and 

Thomas  Moss.  On  order  of  business — Mike  IMooney,  Sim 
Cooper  and  Elmer  Tannehill. 


District  11,  7th  Annual  Proceedings 


425 


REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 

That  the  hours  of  meeting  shall  be  from  8 :30  a.  m.  until 
12  m.,  and  from  1 :30  p.  m.  until  4 p.  m. 

Cushing’s  Manual  to  be  the  guide  on  all  questions  of  parlia- 
mentary usage. 

Committee  on  credentials  reported  the  folowing  delegates 
entitled  to  seats : J.  H.  Kennedy,  Sim  Cooper,  George  Seldom- 
ridge,  W.  Watson,  M.  Mooney,  William  Gose,  Louis  Ingle,  G. 
W.  Lackey,  W.  Moore,  D.  Johns,  Thomas  Moss,  T.  G.  Morgan, 
William  Sheffler,  J.  R.  Atkinson,  Thomas  Tyron,  James  Mc- 
Gow,  G.  W.  Ferguson,  Fred  Wimmer,  Eli  Mott,  George  Lowe, 
B.  Vanhook,  W.  M.  Bledsoe,  E.  Tannehill,  W.  D.  Van  Horn, 
G.  W.  Purcell  and  A.  C.  Sloan.  J.  H.  Kennedy  represented 
3 locals ; G.  W.  Lackey,  2 ; Thomas  Tyron,  2 ; G.  W.  Ferguson, 
2,  and  M.  J.  Mooney,  2.  - 

Report  of  committee  on  credentials  accepted,  and  delegates 
all  seated. 

President  Purcell  then  made  his  annual  report  to  the  con- 
vention, followed  by  Secretary  Kennedy.  Both  reports  offered 
some  good  recommendations,  and  were  well  received  and  re- 
ferred to  the  committee  on  officers’  reports.  Secretary  Ken- 
nedy then  made  his  annual  financial  report  showing  the  dis- 
trict to  be  in  a good,  healthy  condition  numerically  and  fi- 
nancially. 

Moved,  That  the  report  be  received  and  referred  to  audit- 
ing committee.  Adopted. 

The  following  committees  were  then  appointed:  On  offi- 

cers’ reports — G.  W.  Lackey,  William  Gose  and  W.  Moor.  On 
auditing — George  Lowe,  George  Seldomridge  and  Burt  Van- 
hook.  On  resolutions — T.  G.  Morgan,  G.  W.  Ferguson,  W. 
Watson,  James  McGow  and  William  Sheffier.  On  constitu- 
tion— Thomas  Tyron,  Mike  Mooney,  E.  Merril,  W.  Bledsoe 
and  Fred  Wimmer. 

Adjourned  until  1 :30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Resolutions  introduced  on  moving  headquarters  from 
Terre  Haute  to  Vincennes,  reducing  the  secretary’s  salary  and 
investing  more  power  in  the  vice-president  were  all  defeated. 


426 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Authorizing  the  district  secretary  to  keep  a book  of  sta- 
tistics recording  the  number  of  men  and  boys  employed  at 
each  mine  in  the  state,  number  of  days  worked,  amount  of 
coal  of  all  grades  produced  each  month,  together  with  amount 
docked  for  impurities,  size  and  form  of  screen  used,  and  all 
other  information  that  would  be  of  use  to  the  miners. 

That  it  shall  be  made  the  duty  of  the  president  or  master 
workman  of  each  local  in  the  state  to  see  that  the  checkweigh- 
man  of  the  local  report  to  the  district  secretary  at  the  end  of 
each  month  with  a statement  of  the  number  of  men  and  boys 
employed  in  and  around  the  mines ; also  number  of  tons  of  coal 
mined  each  day  and  amount  docked  from  miners,  which  state- 
ment shall  be  made  as  follows: 

Number  of  miners  full  turn,  number  of  miners  half  turn ; 
number  of  trappers;  number  of  trackmen  and  helpers;  num- 
ber of  tons  of  screened  coal;  run  of  mine,  nut  coal,  pea  coal 
and  slack ; amount  docked  for  slate,  sulphur,  rock  or  any  other 
cause ; number  of  days  worked  during  month ; hours  per  day, 
and  any  other  matters  of  general  interest,  which  statement 
shall  be  signed  by  checkweighman  as  correct,  or  approxi- 
mately correct,  as  the  case  may  be ; also  the  size  of  screen  and 
kind  of  screen. 

That  this  convention  indorse  and  recognize  Sub-district  3, 
of  District  11. 

That  we  indorse  the  Boot  and  Shoe  Workers’  union,  and 
recommend  that  organized  labor  everywhere  buy  only  boots 
and  shoes  that  have  the  union  stamp  impressed  upon  the  soles. 

That  our  scale  committee,  when  appointed,  go  to  our  oper- 
ators and  demand  the  66  cents  per  ton  as  per  resolution  by  the 
January  convention,  and  that  the  committee  do  all  they  can 
to  make  a scale  at  those  figures,  but  under  no  circumstances 
to  make  a scale  to  extend  later  than  January  1,  1897. 

Be  it  resolved  by  this  convention,  that  the  incoming  offi- 
cers be  instructed  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  miners  in 
regard  to  the  cases  now  pending  in  Green  county  in  regard 
to  the  check  system  now  in  vogue,  and  use  all  honorable  means 
to  push  the  cases  to  a successful  conviction. 

That  this  convention  condemn  the  system  of  driving  air- 
ways and  break-throughs  from  one  room  to  another  for  half 
price,  as  the  price  is  $1.25  per  yard  and  we  believe  the  same 
ought  to  be  paid  for  all  break-throughs  instead  of  621/4  cents 
per  yard. 

That  the  incoming  officers  be  instructed  and  empowered 
to  assist  all  brothers  who  file  complaints  against  all  operators 
for  being  discharged  for  belonging  to,  or  taking  part  in  any 
local  union  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 


District  11,  7th  Annual  Proceedings  427 

Knowing  the  mine  run  law  is  not  effective  we  ask  that  a 
uniform  screen  be  adopted  not  to  exceed  72  surface  feet  and 
not  to  exceed  I14  inches  between  diamond  bars  or  II/2  inches 
between  flat  bars,  and  we  ask  the  co-operation  of  all  the  dele- 
gates in  this  convention. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  endorse  the  Cigarmakers’ 
Union,  and  request  the  members  of  our  order  to  refuse  to  use 
any  but  union  made  cigars  bearing  the  blue  label,  and  further 
request  that  any  member  of  our  organization  knowing  of 
the  fradulent  use  of  the  cigarmakers’  blue  label  report  the 
same  to  the  nearest  local  of  the  Cigarmakers’  Union. 

As  Hartwell  and  Nickel  Plate  men  are  locked  out  and  con- 
tending for  union  prices  and  conditions,  and  as  help  is  badly 
needed  at  both  places,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  present  be  instructed  to 
recommend  their  respective  locals  to  contribute  each  pay  such 
amount  as  they  are  able,  and  that  said  money  be  sent  to  the 
Secretary-Treasurer,  who  will  divide  it  pro  rata. 

President  O’Connor  of  Illinois  (District  12)  made  an  able 
address  to  the  convention,  lasting  about  an  hour.  Good  and 
close  attention  was  given  throughout  and  the  delegates  were 
much  pleased  with  it. 

Brother  McMannis  of  the  Cigarmakers’  Union  of  this  city 
also  addressed  the  convention  in  the  interest  of  the  cigar- 
makers’ blue  label. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  GRIEVANCE. 

Whereas,  the  miners  of  Mining  City  are  on  strike,  resist- 
ing conditions  which  their  operators  are  trying  to  impose  on 
them  by  discharging  the  mine  committee  and  others  for  refus- 
ing to  do  dead  work  without  being  paid  for  it,  and  refusing 
the  checkoff ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  recognize  the  miners  of 
Mining  City  as  being  on  strike  for  a just  cause,  and  that  the 
incoming  officers  take  such  steps  as  are  possible  to  settle  the 
trouble. 

Adopted. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  OFFICERS’  REPORTS. 

We,  your  committee  on  officers’  reports,  report  as  follows : 

Gentlemen  of  the  convention:  In  submitting  our  report 

we  have  very  little  to  say,  as  the  very  able  reports  of  your 
officers  are  largely  history  of  the  acts  and  conditions  of  the 


428 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


organization;  however,  we  recommend  that  this  convention 
take  some  action  on  the  recommendation  of  President  Purcell, 
in  which  he  recommends  that  some  action  be  taken  that  will 
remove  the  unjust  censure  that  is  being  dealt  to  the  Clinton 
men  who  were  forced  by  unscrupulous  and  tyrannical  coal 
operators  to  submit  to  work  below  scale  rates.  We  also  rec- 
ommend action  on  the  recommendation  wherein  President 
Purcell  recommends  that  the  constitution  be  so  changed  that 
instead  of  the  executive  board  attending  every  convention  they 
attend  the  annual  convention  only. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  FINANCE. 

We,  your  auditing  committee,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  fol- 
lowing report: 

We  have  carefully  examined  the  books  of  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer  and  find  them  correct. 

The  financial  statement  referred  to  by  the  auditing  com- 
mittee gave  an  itemized  account  of  all  receipts  and  expenses 
a summary  of  which  when  totals  are  given  for  the  13  months 
commencing  March  1895,  ending  April  1,  1896,  the  result 
found  is  as  follows: 

Receipts. 


Balance  in  treasury  Marcli  1,  1895 $270.02 

Receipts  for  per  capita  tax  and  other  sources 1,829.14 

Clinton  Strike  No.  1 1,247.00 

Clinton  Strike  No.  2 136.50 

Washington  Strike  357.50 

From  10  cent  assessment  for  organizing 153.95 

Hartwell  Strike  216.50 


Total  - $4,210.61 


Expenditures. 


Salaries  of  all  officers,  printing,  telegrams,  postage,  etc $2,057.10 

Clinton  Strike  No.  1 1,079.90 

Clinton  Strike  No.  2 110.00 

Washington  Strike  357.50 

Hartwell  Strike  215.75 

For  services,  E.  Merrill,  D.  Llewellyn,  W.  Gose,  Ed.  Stewart  76.35 


Total  3,896.60 


Balance  in  treasury  April  1,  1896 $314.01 


George  Lowe, 

George  Seldomridge, 
Burton  Vanhook, 

Auditing  Committee. 


District  11,  7th  Annual  Proceedings  429 

The  following  officers  were  elected : For  President,  W.  G. 
Knight;  Vice-President,  Dan  Llewellyn;  Secretary-Treasurer, 
John  H.  Kennedy;  members  of  Executive  Board,  Thomas  G. 
Morgan,  Thomas  Patterson,  Thomas  Irwin  and  J.  C.  Smith. 

As  a committee  of  operators  were  in  the  city  for  the  pur- 
pose of  meeting  with  the  miners,  it  was  moved  to  appoint  a 
committee  of  seven  to  meet  with  them  to  try  to  fix  the  scale 
of  prices  for  the  balance  of  the  year,  and  that,  if  necessary, 
the  convention  hold  over  until  Friday  to  meet  them.  Scale 
committee  appointed:  G.  W.  Lackey,  James  McGow,  Elmer 

Tannehill,  Geo.  Seldomridge,  W.  D.  Van  Horn,  with  Presi- 
dent G.  W.  Purcell  and  Secretary  Kennedy. 

Adjourned. 

THURSDAY’S  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8 :30  a.  m.  by  President 
Purcell,  who  stated  that  five  of  the  operators’  committee  were 
in  town  and  ready  to  meet  us  up  until  10  a.  m.  It  was  here 
moved  to  hear  an  expression  of  the  delegates  in  regard  to  the 
price  question.  It  was  plainly  developed  that  the  miners 
thought  66  cents  per  ton  was  our  proper  price,  but  to  avoid 
trouble  we  would  accept  the  Ohio  prices  if  we  could  do  no 
better.  President  Purcell  and  Vice-President  Merrill  then  ex- 
plained the  conditions  existing  in  the  . Danville  and  Grape 
Creek,  Illinois,  field. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  until  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  the 
committee  met  the  operators. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order,  and  President  Purcell  reported 
progress  of  scale  committee. 

President-elect  W.  G.  Knight  having  arrived,  he  was  in- 
troduced to  the  convention,  and  in  a few  well  chosen  remarks 
promised  to  do  what  he  could  to  lighten  the  burdens  of  the 
members  for  the  coming  year. 

The  scale  committee  having  adjourned  until  2 p.  m.,  it 
was  moved  and  seconded  the  scale  committee  return  to  the 
operators  and  make  the  best  terms  possible  between  60  and 
66  cents.  Adopted. 


430 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  convention  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  call  of  com- 
mittee. 

At  5 p.  m.  the  convention  was  called  to  order.  President 
Purcell  reported  that  no  settlement  had  been  reached  by  the 
scale  committee,  and  convention  adjourned. 

FRIDAY’S  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  and  the  scale  committee  re- 
ported that  they  had  been  unable  to  make  a settlement,  the 
operators  refusing  to  pay  anything  above  55  cents  per  ton. 
This,  your  committee  refused  to  consider,  and  the  joint  com- 
mittee adjourned  sine  die. 

A motion  to  accept  the  report  of  the  scale  committee  was 
adopted. 

Moved,  That  the  committee  on  resolutions  draw  up  some- 
thing to  govern  our  action  in  regard  to  prices  after  May  1, 
1896.  Carried. 

It  was  moved  that  two  delegates-at-large  be  elected  to  the 
national  annual  convention,  who,  with  the  president  and  sec- 
retary, will  represent  the  small  locals  of  the  state  who  are 
unable  to  meet  the  expense  of  sending  delegates,  and  the  sec- 
retary, some  time  before  the  national  convention,  notify  the 
locals  of  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  delegates-at-large ; 

That  the  vice-president  and  the  member  of  the  board  re- 
ceiving the  highest  number  of  votes  be  the  delegates-at-large ; 

That  all  funds  now  in  the  hands  of  the  secretary-treasurer 
be  transferred  to  the  general  fund ; 

That  the  proceedings  of  this  convention,  together  with  the 
constitution  as  amended,  be  printed  in  phamplet  form,  and 
twenty  copies  sent  to  each  local ; 

That  we  wait  until  we  find  out  how  many  places  are  resist- 
ing a reduction  below  60  cents  per  ton  and  then  the  presi- 
dent and  secretary  make  an  estimate  of  the  amount  needed  to 
support  them  and  notify  the  locals  working ; 

That  $20  be  taken  from  the  treasury  in  favor  of  the  Nickel 
Plate  men. 

All  of  which  were  adopted. 

It  was  resolved  that  this  convention  extend  a hearts’  vote 
of  thanks  to  the  retiring  president,  George  W.  Purcell,  for  his 
past  services. 


District  11,  Revised  Constitution,  1896 


431 


Carried  unanimously. 

And  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 


REVISED  CONSTITUTION  DISTRICT  11,  1896. 

Article  I — Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  District 
11  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Section  2.  The  objects  of  this  union  are  to  unite  mine 
employes  and  to  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  con- 
ciliation, arbitration  or  strikes. 

Section  3.  This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all 
locals  of  the  National  Progressive  Union  and  local  assemblies 
of  National  Trades  Assembly  No.  135,  Knights  of  Labor,  in 
the  State  of  Indiana. 

■ Article  II. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  organization  shall  consist 
of  one  President  or  Master  Workman,  one  Vice-President  or 
Worthy  Foreman,  one  Secretary-Treasurer  and  an  Executive 
Board  of  seven  members,  three  of  whom  shall  be  the  Presi- 
dent, Vice-President  and  Secretary-Treasurer. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  pre- 
side at  all  conventions  of  the  state  organization.  He  shall  sign 
all  official  documents  when  satisfied  of  their  correctness.  With 
the  consent  of  the  Executive  Board  he  shall  fill  by  appoint- 
ment all  vacancies  occurring  in  the  offices,  and  in  like  mariner 
he  is  empowered  to  suspend  or  remove  any  officers  for  in- 
subordination or  just  and  sufficient  cause.  He  shall  act  as 
general  organizer  for  the  state  and  attend  to  and  settle  all 
local  disputes  with  the  consent  of  the  members  concerned,  and 
shall  exert  a general  supervision  over  the  affairs  of  the  organi- 
zation, but  in  no  case  shall  he  substitute  his  own  opinions  for 
those  set  forth  in  this  constitution. 

Section  2.  The  Worthy  Foreman  or  Vice-President  shall 
be  subject  to  the  orders  of  the  President  or  Master  Workman 
and  in  the  event  of  the  President’s  office  becoming  vacant 
through  death  or  removal,  shall  succeed  that  officer  and  as- 
sume all  its  responsibilities  until  the  next  convention. 

Section  3.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of 
all  books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  office.  He  shall  keep 
a record  of  the  proceedings  of  all  conventions,  and  all  the 
meetings  of  the  executive  board  and  shall  keep  copies  of  all 
important  letters  sent  out  by  him.  He  shall  receive  and  re- 


432 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ceipt  for  all  moneys  and  pay  all  current  expenses;  he  shall 
prepare  and  submit  to  the  executive  board  a quarterly  report 
of  all  moneys  received  and  disbursed,  and  perform  such  other 
duties  as  may  be  assigned  him.  He  shall  give  a bond  of  $500, 
to  be  secured  by  not  less  than  two  bondsmen.  And  at  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  shall  turn  over  all  moneys 
and  effects  of  the  organization  to  his  successor. 

Section  4.  The  Executive  Board  shall  also  constitute  the 
State  Board  of  Conciliation,  and  shall  have  full  power  to  ad- 
just by  these  methods  all  disputes  wherein  the  President  or 
Master  Workman  and  local  officers  may  have  failed,  and  in 
event  of  settlement  not  being  arrived  at,  it  shall  immediately 
place  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  the  national  officers,  upon 
whose  failure  may  be  settled  by  arbitration.  It  shall  appoint 
one  of  its  number  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the  organization 
quarterly.  Said  auditor  to  render  a statement  to  each  local  union 
and  local  assembly.  He  shall  have  the  power  to  call  for  any 
books,  papers,  vouchers  or  other  evidence  he  may  deem  neces- 
sary to  a correct  audit,  and  no  state  officer  shall  act  as  au- 
ditor. The  board  shall  examine  the  bond  offered  by  the  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer, and  if,  upon  inquiry,  it  proves  satisfactory, 
the  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  have  it  recorded  in 
the  proper  office  of  each  county  in  which  said  bondsmen  may 
reside.  In  the  event  of  the  income  being  of  such  proportion 
as  to  render  necessary  an  increase  of  the  Secretary-Treasur- 
er’s bond,  the  board  shall  make  such  increase  as  they  may 
deem  sufficient.  In  the  absence  of  conventions  the  board  shall 
have  full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  organization  in 
all  matters  affecting  its  interest. 

The  board  shall  be  convened  by  the  President  or  Master 
Workman,  or  in  case  of  a disagreement  between  the  members 
of  the  board  and  the  President  or  Master  Workman,  the 
Secretary-Treasurer,  at  the  request  of  three  members  of  the 
board  shall  call  it  together. 

The  Executive  Board  shall  prepare  and  submit  to  the  an- 
nual convention  a report  of  its  year’s  transactions. 

Article  IV — Revenues. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  organization  shall  be  de- 
rived from  local  assemblies  and  local  unions  under  its  juris- 
diction, which  shall  pay  to  the  Secretary-Treasurer  the  sum  of 
10  cents  per  month,  the  same  to  be  forwarded  to  him  not  later 
than  the  25th  of  the  month  for  which  it  is  due.  Fractional 
members  to  pay  the  same  in  proportion,  and  wherever  prac- 
ticable the  same  shall  be  checked  off  by  the  checkweighman. 


District  11,  Revised  Constitution,  1896. 


433 


Article  V — Conventions. 

Section  1.  The  regular  convention  shall  be  held  in  the 
City  of  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  April 
of  each  year,  at  which  officers  shall  be  elected  for  the  ensuing 
year.  Each  local  union  and  local  assembly  having  paid  all 
dues,  assessments  and  levies  of  the  organization,  shall  be  en- 
titled to  one  vote  for  fifty  members  or  less,  and  one  vote  for 
each  additional  fifty  members,  or  majority  fraction  thereof. 
Locals  having  less  than  thirty  members  may  vote  by  proxy 
through  any  authorized  delegate  to  the  convention,  provided 
said  proxy  shall  be  in  the  same  form  as  a delegate’s  creden- 
tials. Locals  having  more  than  one  vote  may  send  a delegate 
for  each  vote,  or  give  all  the  votes  to  one  delegate,  provided 
no  delegate  shall  be  allowed  to  cast  more  than  three  votes. 
This  shall  also  apply  to  special  conventions. 

Article  VI— Officers’  Salaries. 

Section  1.  The  salary  of  the  President  or  Master  Work- 
man shall  be  $60  per  month  and  traveling  and  office  expenses. 

Section  2.  All  members  of  the  Executive  Board,  except 
salaried  officers,  shall  receive  $2.25  per  day  and  expenses, 
subject  to  pro  rata  advance  while  performing  their  duties. 

Section  3.  All  locals  shall  furnish  their  delegates  to  the 
annual  convention  a correct  report  of  all  per  capita  tax  and 
all  other  moneys  paid  by  the  local  to  the  district  Secretary- 
Treasurer  for  the  year  preceding  each  annual  convention. 

Article  VII. 

Section  1.  All  nominations  for  state  officers  shall  be  sent 
to  the  secretary  not  less  than  three  weeks  before  the  annual 
convention.  Said  nominations  shall  be  compiled  by  him  and 
sent  to  all  locals  not  later  than  two  weeks  prior  to  the  con- 
vention. 

When  more  than  two  candidates  are  voted  for  the  lowest 
shall  be  dropped  after  each  ballot  until  one  candidate  receives 
a majority  of  all  votes  cast,  who  shall  be  declared  elected. 

Article  VIII — Resolutions. 

Section  1.  Resolutions  from  local  unions  or  local  assem- 
blies shall  be  sent  by  the  delegates  to  the  convention  in  writ- 
ing, having  the  signatures  of  the  President  and  Master  Work- 
man and  their  respective  secretaries,  with  the  seal  attached. 

Article  IX. 

Section  1.  Each  local  shall  procure  a seal  and  charter, 
together  with  a supply  of  constitutions  and  transfer  cards. 


434 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Section  2.  Each  mine  employing  thirty  men,  two-thirds 
of  whom  are  members  of  this  organization,  shall  employ  a 
checkweighman.  The  checkweighman  shall  act  as  financial 
secretary  of  the  local  union  or  local  assembly,  and  at  the  end 
of  each  month  shall  make  a report  to  the  Secretary-Treasurer 
of  the  shipment  of  coal  and  number  of  days  worked,  on  form 
to  be  prepared  by  the  executive  board. 

Article  X — Local  Unions. 

Section  1.  Where  an  open  and  secret  branch  exist  in  the 
same  place,  said  branches  may  meet  jointly  and  elect  a Pres- 
ident or  Master  Workman,  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Fore- 
man, Secretary  and  Financial  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who, 
by  virtue  of  such  elections,  shall  be  officers  of  both  branches 
after  necessary  qualifications,  none  of  whom  shall  be  liable  to 
dual  taxation. 

Section  2.  Where  there  is  business  connected  with  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America  they  shall  meet  jointly  to 
transact  such  business  and  elect  officers  pro  tempore. 

Article  XI — Amendments  to  Constitution. 

Section  1.  That  during  a strike  or  lockout  or  other  trou- 
ble, non-union  men  shall  not  receive  any  support  from  this 
district. 

Section  2.  A member  shall  be  in  good  standing  at  least 
three  months  previous  to  such  trouble. 

Section  3.  No  man  shall  derive  any  benefits  during  a 
strike  or  lockout  or  other  trouble  who  was  not  working  in  or 
around  the  mine  when  the  trouble  arose. 

Article  XII. 

Section  1.  Where  members  of  the  local  unions  or  local 
assemblies  are  idle  by  reason  of  difficulties  in  trade  matters 
and  their  position  endorsed  by  the  state  officers  for  a period 
of  one  month  or  the  majority  fraction  of  each  following 
month,  they  shall  be  exempt  from  payment  of  all  dues  and 
levies. 

Article  XIII — By-Laws. 

Section  1.  All  locals  shall  provide  their  own  by-laws  in 
accordance  with  the  state  and  national  constitution. 

Section  2.  The  constitution  shall  not  be  altered  or  amend- 
ed only  by  the  regular  annual  convention. 

The  following  addition  was  made  to  the  By-Laws:  All 

fees  received  by  the  President  or  Master  Workman  for  organ- 
izing shall  be  state  or  district  funds. 

Adopted,  April  24,  1896. 


CHAPTER  XXL 


EIGHTH  NATIONAL  ANNUAL  CONVENTION. 

Columbus,  Ohio.,  January  12,  1897. 
Convention  called  to  order  at  10  a.  m..  President  Penna  in 
the  chair  and  Secretary  Pearce  at  the  desk. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  dele- 
gates entitled  to  seats  in  the  convention : 

District  1 — John  Fahy. 

District  5 — William  Warner,  Thomas  Hayes,  Patrick 
Dolan,  John  Fleming,  James  Buchan,  T.  H.  Kirsop,  Paul 
Trimmer,  J.  A.  Cairns,  Jeif  Thornton,  G.  Wilson,  Pat  Mc- 
Bryde,  William  Trew,  Charles  E.  Wallace,  James  Sabin. 

District  6 — Thomas  Spink,  Willard  Bartoe,  Jacob  Collins, 
George  Williams,  P.  H.  Penna,  Ralph  Mason,  W.  T.  Evans, 
J.  C.  Scott,  Alexander  Gordon,  S.  D.  Hanna,  Irvin  Nanna, 
Cameron  Miller,  Charles  Laurenz,  Albert  Thorpe,  W.  H. 
Haskins,  T.  L.  Lewis,  John  Mackinaw,  George  Gulley,  J.  H. 
Berry,  M.  P.  Curran,  W.  E.  Farms,  J.  L.  Turvey,  W.  H. 
Werker,  W.  C.  Pearce,  G.  E.  Wilson,  Joseph  Hagerman,  T.  W. 
Davis,  D.  W.  Hanns,  T.  W.  Thomas,  J.  H.  Barnes,  Ed.  Thomas, 
M^JD—Ratchfard,  John  Kane,  G.  W.  Shackert,  Fred  King,  D. 
L.  Davis,  J.  E.  Williams,  Ed.  Branfield,  S.  H.  Wilson,  D.  S. 
Richards,  William  Richards,  Joseph  Brown. 

District  11 — G.  W.  Knight,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Thos.  Morgan, 
Dan  Llewellyn,  Wm.  Dean. 

District  12 — Stain  Hodagieser,  Jas.  Redford,  J.  M.  Hunter, 
G.  D.  Miller,  J.  O’Connor,  James  Carson. 

Wheeling  District — William  Anderson. 

District  19 — W.  C.  Webb. 

Motion,  That  we  receive  the  report  of  committee  as  far  as 
those  who  are  not  objected  to  and  the  committee  be  continued. 
Carried. 

Motion  to  adjourn  to  1 o’clock  to  give  the  committee  on 
credentials  time  to  report.  Carried. 

The  report  of  officers  being  next  in  order  President  Penna 
read  his  report. 


(435) 


436 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


PRESIDENT  PENNA’S  ADDRESS,  IN  PART. 

In  this,  the  eighth  annual  convention  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  convened  by  constitutional  provision, 
you  have  assembled  to  transact  the  annually  recurring  busi- 
ness of  the  organization  and  to  legislate  for  the  future  well 
being  of  our  craftsmen  to  the  extent  of  your  ability  to  do  so 
as  your  combined  wisdom  may  dictate.  Your  coming  together 
as  an  organization  is  a protest  against  conditions  under  which 
you  live  and  labor,  and  a public  declaration  that  as  a matter 
of  common  decency,  men  who  by  toil  produce  so  much  wealth, 
should  at  least  have  enough  of  their  own  production  to  main- 
tain them  and  theirs  in  comparative  comfort. 

In  coming  to  you  at  this  time  and  accounting  for  my  stew- 
ardship, and  returning  to  you  the  trust  with  which  you  have 
repeatedly  honored  me,  and  speaking  to  you  probably  the  last 
time  that  it  will  be  my  lot  to  address  a body  of  miners,  it  is 
my  purpose  in  presenting  to  you  conditions  as  they  present 
themselves  to  me  as  plainly  as  possible.  But  little  can  be  said 
to  you  encouraging  or  containing  in  it  any  elements  of  hope, 
however  much  we  would  like  to  speak  hopefully.  At  our  last 
annual  convention  we  came  to  you  with  words  of  comfort  and 
encouragement  inspired  by  achievements  which  we  then  sup- 
posed to  be  permanent.  The  joint  conventions  of  Pittsburg 
and  Ohio  had  been  held  and  contracts  made  covering  the  year 
1896.  In  those  contracts  we  had,  in  addition  to  an  advance  in 
mining  rates,  secured  terms  which,  in  our  opinion,  materially 
improved  the  miners’  condition,  particularly  the  promised 
abolition  of  that  debauched  and  debauching  institution — the 
company  store.  We  justly  expected  that  those  contracts  fairly 
entered  into  and  so  nearly  satisfactory  to  all  parties  in  in- 
terest, as  we  may  ever  hope  to  get  contracts,  would  be  re- 
spected during  the  term  of  their  existence.  In  this  we  have 
been  disappointed,  and  the  oft-repeated  story  of  dishonor, 
avarice  and  greed  on  the  one  hand  and  indolence,  ignorance 
and  duplicity  on  the  other,  must  be  retold  to  account  for  the 
cheerless  conditions  surrounding  the  miners  at  the  closing  of 
a year  so  auspiciously  begun.  Many  of  the  operators  never 
complied  with  the  contracts  made;  others  respected  contract 
provisions  during  the  busy  seasons,  but  ignored  them  as  soon 
as  the  trade  became  less  and  the  miners’  labor  not  so  much  in 
demand.  The  glaring  violations  of  contracts  by  operators  are 
those  pertaining  to  the  clauses  which  abolished  the  company 
stores  in  one  district  and  restricted  them  in  their  nefarious 
methods  of  operating  in  the  other.  In  this  they  were  aided  by 
miners  in  their  dishonorable  course  until  those  companies 
which  are  inclined  to  be  fair  and  honorable  were  forced  by 
competitive  relationship  to  do  likewise,  and  thus  reductions  in 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


437 


mining  rates  and  wages  in  the  two  districts  most  largely 
represented  here. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Pennsylvania  agreement 
made  in  Pittsburg,  in  December,  1895,  to  cover  the  year  1896, 
conditioned  on  the  observance  of  the  same  by  the  other  com- 
panies, particularly  the  New  York  and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal 
Company,  but  the  operators,  fearing  a strike  would  result 
from  an  attempt  to  enforce  this  condition  of  the  contract  at 
the  commencement  of  the  lake  trade  season,  waived  it  and 
paid  the  rate  agreed  to — 70  cents  per  ton — notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  the  New  York  and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company 
had  not  advanced  the  wages  of  its  miners.  The  situation  re- 
mained unchanged  until  in  July  some  operators  who  had  been 
protesting  mildly  and  quietly,  as  if  ashamed  of  their  conduct, 
became  aggressive  and  determined  in  their  demands  upon  us 
for  the  fulfillment  of  contract  stipulations  and  accord  them  the 
right  to  have  their  coal  mined  at  the  same  price  that  said  New 
York  and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company  paid  for  mining.  Your 
officers,  with  the  co-operation  of  the  district  officers,  struggled 
as  long  against  the  inevitable  as  was  profitable  to  the  members 
of  our  organization  or  fair  to  the  companies  paying  the  price 
agreed  to.  In  September  a convention  of  the  organized  miners 
of  that  district,  convened  by  the  officers  at  the  request  of  the 
members  to  consider  their  peculiar  surroundings,  discovered 
that  more  than  one-half  of  the  miners  were  then  at  work  at 
60-cent  rate  or  less,  including  some  two  or  three  organized 
mines. 

After  a thorough  canvass  of  the  situation  it  was  agreed 
that  the  contract  be  complied  with,  and  the  mining  rate  be  54 
cents  per  ton,  as  paid  by  the  New  York  & Cleveland  Gas  Coal 
Company. 

Men’s  prejudices  were  appealed  to,  abuse  and  calumny 
were  freely  brought  into  requisition,  and  even  operators  from 
whom  we  had  received  letters  demanding  that  we  comply  with 
our  agreements  and  insinuating  that  we  were  not  honorable 
men  for  not  doing  so  went  immediately  among  their  men  and 
said  such  reduction  was  unnecessary  and  that  they  could  af- 
ford to  pay  more.  The  organized  miners,  with  more  of 
unanimity  than  is  usual,  accepted  the  verdict  of  the  conven- 
tion and  worked  on  these  terms  during  the  scale  year,  hopeful 
that  the  joint  convention  arranged  for,  to  meet  in  December, 
1896,  would  be  able  to  make  better  terms  for  the  ensuing  year. 

When  the  convention  did  meet,  there  were  found  to  be  such 
differences  among  the  operators  as  to  their  relative  positions 
and  prices  that  an  agreement  was  impossible.  Operators,  as 
a whole,  insisted  that  the  differential  be  abolished  between 
Pittsburg  and  Ohio,  the  Hocking  Valley  excepted,  and  asserted 


438  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 

that  an  adjustment  of  that  question  could  only  be  had  in  an 
interstate  meeting.  Accordingly  a resolution  was  adopted  ask- 
ing for  such  interstate  convention  of  Pittsburg  and  Ohio 
operators  and  miners  and  a committee  appointed  to  make 
necessary  arrangements  for  the  same. 

Operators  owning  and  operating  mines  in  the  Pittsburg 
thin  vein  contend  that  differential  between  thick  and  thin 
veins  in  some  districts  is  too  great,  and  the  convention  took 
steps  to  remedy  that  alleged  wrong.  In  addition  to  the  above, 
there  is  the  ever  present  machine  question  with  pick  operators 
and  miners  affirming  that  the  difference  in  the  price  per  ton 
for  mining  should  be  diminished,  while  the  machine  operators 
talk  of  their  extra  expenses  and  sometimes  losses  from  the 
use  of  machinery.  Under  these  conditions  an  agreement  could 
not  be  reached  for  a longer  period  than  one  month,  with  the 
hope  that  by  the  end  of  this  month  the  question  above  referred 
to  would  be  disposed  of,  and  the  way  opened  to  make  a better 
contract  than  could  then  be  made. 

The  price  for  the  current  month  was  fixed  at  60  cents  per 
ton  as  against  54  cents  then  prevailing.  With  the  fall  in  prices 
in  the  Pittsburg  district  there  came  a reduction  in  Ohio. 

Ohio. 

In  Ohio  the  miners  and  operators  were  working  under 
contract  made  in  December,  1895,  to  cover  the  year  1896,  one 
of  the  stipulations  of  which  was  that  the  9-cent  differential 
between  Ohio  and  Pittsburg  district  should  be  maintained  and 
that  the  price  in  Ohio  for  mining  should  advance  or  decline 
as  prices  advanced  or  declined  in  the  Pittsburg  district.  Thus 
the  reduction  of  mining  rates  in  Pittsburg  paved  the  way  and 
made  probable  a reduction  in  Ohio.  Accordingly  the  oper- 
ators of  this  state,  promptly  on  the  decline  of  prices  in  the 
Pittsburg  district,  proposed  a corresponding  reduction  to  the 
miners  of  Ohio.  The  district  officers  called  a convention  early 
in  October  to  consider  the  proposed  reduction.  Your  officers 
took  the  position  in  that  convention  that  the  miners  were  not 
obliged  by  reason  of  contract  provision  to  accept  a reduction 
if  they  felt  sufficiently  strong  to  resist  it.  The  contract  made 
by  the  miners  and  operators  had  been  so  grossly  violated  in 
many  matters  of  importance,  so  much  so  that  we  felt  relieved 
from  its  restrictive  obligations.  The  fact  remained,  however, 
that  the  prices  could  not  be  maintained  in  Ohio  without  a loss 
to  her  tonnage,  and  there  was  doubt  among  the  delegates  as 
to  the  miners’  ability  to  maintain  current  prices,  and  the  ques- 
tion was  submitted  to  the  miners  for  a vote.  While  the  vote 
was  being  taken,  and  before  it  was  counted,  in  many  instances, 
miners  resumed  work  until  the  resumption  became  general 


Eighth  National  Annual  Peoceedings 


439 


in  the  Hocking  and  Sunday  Creek  valleys,  and  in  some  other 
portions  of  the  state.  Jackson  miners  resisted,  and  are  still 
resisting,  contending  for  Pittsburg  prices.  In  this  contention 
we  believe  they  are  right  and  should  receive  the  support  of 
the  miners.  There  is  no  scale  of  prices  made  for  the  present 
scale  year,  except  as  Pittsburg  advanced  6 cents  per  ton  for 
the  month  of  January,  Ohio  also  advanced,  so  the  position  of 
the  mining  industry  in  this  state  seems  to  be  in  a waiting 
condition  for  her  Eastern  competitors  to  make  some  ar- 
rangement. 

Indiana. 

Immediately  following  the  adjournment  of  our  last  na- 
tional convention  the  miners  of  Indiana  met  in  convention, 
and, . being  confronted  with  a proposed  reduction  of  prices, 
inaugurated  a strike,  which  lasted  until  December  1,  with 
some  few  exceptions,  from  which  our  organization  has  suffered 
material  loss  to  the  extent  of  incurring  the  enmity  and  active 
opposition  of  the  employers,  and  losing  what  there  was  of 
uniform  conditions  existing  in  the  state.  When  brought  to 
our  attention  the  strike  had  been  ordered  and  was  in  progress, 
and  we  did  not  feel  that  interference  on  our  part,  except  to 
aid  in  whatever  way  we  could,  was  warranted.  We  felt  that 
the  strike  was  an  unwise  one,  and  that  injury  to  our  organi- 
zation and  to  the  miners  must  result. 

In  order  to  make  his  position  clear  the  president  reported 
a great  amount  of  correspondence  between  the  Indiana 
miners’  officials  and  himself  on  the  question  of  aid  and  the 
manner  in  which  it  could  best  be  supplied. 

On  being  asked  for  credentials  by  President  Knight  and 
Secretary  Kennedy,  to  solicit  aid  with  the  hope  of  preventing 
a reduction  to  55  cents  per  ton  or  less  to  Indiana  miners. 
National  President  Penna  responded  with  the  statement  that 
he  would  do  all  he  could  to  help  them  in  their  efforts,  but  had 
little  confidence  in  their  success.  He  said  he  had  never  heard 
of  arbitration  or  conciliation  from  either  side,  but  just  “fight.” 
He  cited  lack  of  support,  and  impoverished  conditions  justified 
his  belief  that  national  suspension  could  not  be  secured 
with  90  per  cent  of  the  miners  unorganized.  He  shared 
in  full  with  Indiana  miners  the  wrongs  under  which  they  were 
suffering,  closing  his  report  as  follows : 

The  officers  whom  you  may  elect  for  the  ensuing  term  will 
have  to  meet  the  difficulties  incident  to  official  life,  and  there 


440 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


are  many  employers  as  business  men  and  utilitarians  en- 
deavoring to  get  the  best  at  all  times  which  can  be  secured 
without  respect  to  right  or  equity. 

The  competitive  relations  of  one  district  to  another  will 
have  to  be  considered  and  their  influences  taken  cognizance 
of.  However  disagreeable  it  may  be,  and  hideous  its  effects, 
competition  is  here,  and  no  matter  in  what  garb  it  appears, 
or  how  it  comes,  it  will  be  reckoned  with  in  your  settlements 
of  price  for  mining  and  conditions  of  employment,  and  your 
officers  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  will  not  be  able  to  ignore 
it.  In  this  they  will  need,  and  of  a right  should  have,  your  co- 
operation and  support,  and  without  this  they  cannot  secure 
for  you  better  terms  with  employers.  They  certainly  will  not 
be  able  to  do  so  when,  in  addition  to  discouragement  arising 
from  the  surroundings,  they  are  deluged  with  public  adverse 
criticism  often  amounting  to  slander. 

We  have  not  been  able  during  our  term  of  office  to  do  more 
than  routine  work.  There  have  been  no  organizers  at  work 
in  unorganized  localities  except  the  vice-president.  Our  means 
would  admit  of  no  more.  Our  numerical  strength  is  about  the 
same  as  when  we  met  here  last  April,  while  the  secretary’s  re- 
port may  show  a slight  improvement  financially^ 

In  view  of  the  fact  of  my  retirement  at  this  time,  I do  not 
deem  it  prudent  to  burden  the  convention  with  recommenda- 
tions of  future  policy.  In  the  present  business  chaos,  and  your 
attempts  to  bring  order  therefrom,  your  policy  will  have  to 
be  shaped  largely  by  emergencies  as  they  present  themselves, 
and  I advise  that  your  officers  be  left  to  cope  with  changing 
conditions  as  nearly  untramelled  by  rigid  rules  as  is  consistent 
with  your  duty  as  delegates. 

In  now  returning  to  you  the  charge  with  which  you  in- 
trusted me,  and  retiring  from  active  participation  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  organization — a retirement  made  necessaiy  by 
reason  of  domestic  relations  and  duties — I do  so  with  more 
or  less  regret.  I shall  carry  with  me  into  private  life  recollec- 
tions of  conflicts,  victories  and  defeats;  recollections  of  true 
friendship  and  kindness,  as  well  as  those  of  opposite  char- 
acter, and  while  I could'  not,  if  I would,  obliterate  from  my 
mind,  and  so  long  as  memory  performs  its  functions  shall 
never  forget  the  treatment  received,  naught  shall  be  remem- 
bered in  malice.  I shall  carry  with  me  through  life  werever 
my  lot  may  lead,  a consciousness  of  duty  well  done,  as  it  has 
appeared. 

The  man  who  shirks  the  disagreeable  and  even  painful 
duties  incident  to  office  in  a miners’  organization  and  allows 
men  to  involve  themselves  in  trouble  and  often  intense  suffer- 
ing without  his  protest  while  he  caters  to  public  clamor  is 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


441 


not  only  a demagogue  but  a moral  culprit.  Because  of  this 
consideration  I have  not  catered  to  your  whims,  nor  sought 
your  friendship  at  the  expense  of  rectitude  in  discharge  of 
duty. 

I shall  watch  your  doings  at  all  times  with  interest  and 
concern,  shall  share  with  you  your  joy  in  victory  and  your 
sorrow  in  defeat.  No  matter  in  what  sphere  of  life  I may 
move,  the  fact  will  always  remain  that  I am  a miner,  and  can 
not  be  other  than  interested  in  your  welfare. 

P.  H.  Penna. 

The  report  of  Secretary  Pearce  dwelt  on  the  1894  strike 
and  its  evil  effect  on  the  finances  as  well  as  its  membership, 
for  some  time  past.  This  state  of  affairs  the  secretary  de- 
plored and  closed  his  report  with  the  following  well  chosen 
words  of  a truism  that  can  not  be  successfully  contradicted : 

Those  trades  which  were  best  organized  have  suffered 
least,  while  those  poorly  organized  have  suffered  fearfully. 

And  then  there  is  the  educational  aspect  of  trades  unionism 
to  consider.  Much  political  and  economic  knowledge  has  been 
obtained  by  the  masses  in  recent  years,  all  of  which  is  prac- 
tically due  to  organized  labor;  and  the  time  will  come  when 
working  men  will  be  thoroughly  united  on  a political  basis, 
which  will  be  due  to  the  healthy  influence  of  trade  unions: 
for  as  men  associate  and  discuss,  they  realize  their  common 
interests  and  co-operate  with  each  other. 

These,  in  short,  are  some  of  my  reasons  for  hope  in  the 
movement  in  which  I am  engaged.  During  the  past  year  I 
have  done  all  in  my  power  to  increase  our  membership  and  to 
maintain  loyal  those  whom  I found  already  in  the  ranks.  I 
may  have  committed  errors  of  judgment,  for  which  I crave 
your  indulgence,  but  my  purpose  and  devotion  was  in  the  in- 
terest of  my  craftsmen  who  have  honored  me.  This  devotion 
I pledge  you  will  be  my  future  guide,  and  I hope  ere  long  we 
shall  deserve  mutual  congratulations  in  possessing  a more 
healthy,  vigorous  and  powerful  United  Mine  Workers  than  we 
now  possess.  Whatever  I can  do  to  that  end  shall  be  done 
cheerfully  and  faithfully. 

Following  is  my  financial  report: 

Income. 


Balance  on  hand  April  17,  1896 $166.40 

April  1,  1896,  to  Jan.  1,  1897,  by  tax 8,655.60 

Supplies  1 244.70 

Journal 2,105.25 

Miscellaneous 262.50 


Total  $11,434.45 


442 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Expenses. 


Salaries  end  expenses $7,967.54 

Supplies  1,601.28 

Office  expenses 562.21 

Telegrams,  postage,  expressage 484.20 

Miscellaneous 296.29 


Total  $10,851.52 


Balance  on  hand  Jan.  1,  1897 $582.93 


W.  C.  Pearce. 

Both  reports  were  referred  to  committee  on  officers’  re- 
ports. 

Appointment  of  committees : 

On  Grievance — W.  E.  Farms,  Jerry  Meade,  John  H. 
Barnes,  Dan  Llewellyn,  W.  C.  Webb. 

On  Officers’  Reports — James  O’Connor,  S.  H.  Wilson, 
Thomas  G.  Morgan,  Jacob  Collins,  Charles  E.  Wallace. 

On  Constitution — William  Warner,  T.  W.  Davis,  M.  P. 
Curran,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  George  D.  Miller. 

On  Resolutions — John  Fahy,  Thomas  Kirsop,  G.  W. 
Knight,  John  M.  Hunter,  R.  Mason. 

Motion,  To  adjourn.  Carried. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  President  Penna  in  the 
chair. 

The  different  committees  not  being  ready  to  report,  a re- 
cess was  taken  until  1 o’clock. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  President  Penna  in  the 
chair. 

The  next  thing  being  the  report  of  the  auditing  committee. 
Brother  Webb  submitted  the  following: 

After  carefully  examining  the  books  and  accounts  of  Sec- 
retary Pearce  we  find  them  neatly  and  correctly  kept,  and 
commend  him  for  his  good  and  efficient  work  in  performing 
the  duties  pertaining  to  his  office. 

W.  C.  Webb, 

R.  L.  Davis, 

Auditors. 

The  report  was  received  and  adopted. 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


443 


Whereas,  We  believe  that  no  practical  benefit  can  accrue  to 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  by  continuing  in  exis- 
tence what  is  known  as  Self-abnegation  Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  said  assembly  be  abolished. 

Ruled  out  of  order. 

T.  L.  Lewis  appealed  against  the  decision  of  the  chair ; the 
chair  was  sustained. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  representatives  miners  in  conven- 
tion assembled,  do  hereby  declare  that  we  are  opposed  to  the 
signing  of  any  scale  or  entering  into  any  contracts  by  states 
or  districts. 

The  resolution  was  adopted. 

Motion,  That  we  go  to  the  state  house  steps  and  get  our 
pictures  taken.  Carried. 

In  the  place  of  Jerry  Meade  on  the  committee  of  grievance 
President  Penna  appointed  W.  H.  Bartoe  of  Blatchford. 

President  Penna  appointed  on  scale  committee : Pat  Dolan, 
Paul  Trimmer,  W.  T.  Evans,  T.  L.  Lewis,  G.  W.  Knight,  J.  H. 
Kennedy,  James  O’Connor,  James  Carson,  and  W.  A,  Ander- 
son. 

The  convention  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order,  with  P.  H.  Penna  in  the  chair. 

Resolved,  That  when  men  apply  for  work  who  are  in  pos- 
session of  a genuine  United  Mine  Workers’  card  they  shall  not 
be  discriminated  against,  but  must  be  given  employment  in 
their  turn,  as  per  application,  unless  there  can  be  some  legal 
objections  proven  against  them. 

Carried. 

Resolved,  That  wherever  possible,  our  sub-district,  district 
and  national  organizations  shall  oppose  any  discrimination 
against  a man  for  not  living  in  a company  house,  and  all  pos- 
sible and  practicable  assistance  shall  be  given  such  men  by 
law  or  otherwise. 

Carried. 

President  Penna  appointed  the  following  committee  on 


444 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


drawing  up  a circular  in  regard  to  a defense  fund:  John 

Kane,  Ed.  Thomas,  John  Hunter,  Pat  McBryde. 

Moved,  That  we  suspend  the  rules  and  adjourn. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Delegate  Hanna  asked  the  chair  if  there  was  any  hope 
of  a joint  convention  between  miners  and  operators  to  settle 
a price  for  this  year.  Mr.  Penna  said  at  present  there  was 
not. 

Motion,  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  make 
investigation  in  regard  to  this  matter.  Carried. 

Committee — W.  E.  Farms,  George  Wilson,  Pat  McBryde, 
W.  Warner. 

Motion,  That  we  go  into  executive  session,  and  only  dele- 
gates and  members  of  the  organization  remain  in  convention. 

Carried. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  grievances  and  appeals : 

The  chairman  read  a circular  issued  by  John  A.  Cairns  in 
reference  to  a letter  refused  publication  in  the  United  Mine 
Workers  Journal.  The  committee  reported  that  the  whole 
matter  be  dropped.  This  was  not  satisfactory  to  those  inter- 
ested, and  after  a lengthy  discussion  it  was  disposed  of  in  the 
following  manner : 

Whereas,  We  believe  the  circular  distributed  by  John  A. 
Cairns  to  be  an  infamous  slander. 

Resolved,  That  we  denounce  it  as  an  injustice  to  our  offi- 
cials and  endorse  the  action  of  our  president  in  refusing  publi- 
cation to  the  same,  and  endorse  the  action  taken  by  the  Pitts- 
burg miners  and  exclude  John  A.  Cairns  from  our  conven- 
tions. 

Adopted. 

Motion,  That  the  local  represented  by  John  A.  Cairns  be 
left  with  the  Pittsburg  delegation,  and  that  they  decide  as  to 
the  casting  of  the  vote. 

Report  of  committee  on  officers’  reports : 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Delegates : We  beg  leave  to  report  that 
we  have  carefully  perused  the  reports  and  addresses  of  our 
officers,  and  desire  to  say  that  in  our  estimation  they  contain 
a true  history  of  the  events  of  our  organization  during  their 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


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term  of  office  just  now  closing,  together  with  valuable  advice 
and  comment,  which,  if  heeded  by  us  as  a craft,  cannot  but 
redound  to  our  general  advantage. 

With  regard  to  President  Penna’s  report,  we  desire  to  say 
that  we  indeed  do  notice  a divergence  from  his  previous  an- 
nual report,  and  perhaps  a slight  departure  from  the  usual 
form  of  the  annual  reports  of  our  presidents.  This  is  the 
absence  of  elaborate  argument  on  economic  questions,  and 
also  in  the  absence  of  any  emphatic  recommendations  in  this 
convention.  We  believe  that  this  was  prompted  by  a true 
sense  of  delicacy  and  propriety,  caused  by  his  regrettable  sev- 
erance of  official  connection  with  our  organization.  Notwith- 
standing these  commissions  we  recognize  from  the  intimations 
in  his  report  that  his  economic  convictions  are  still  as  strong 
and  as  decided  as  ever;  and  taking  his  report  as  a whole  we 
desire  to  say  that  we  have  no  unfavorable  criticisms  to  make 
nor  amendments  to  offer ; and  recommend  that  it  be  adopted, 
and  made  a part  of  the  proceedings  of  this  convention. 

Secretary  Pearce’s  report  is  in  line  with  our  idea  of  the 
exigencies  of  the  occasion,  and  shows  a promptitude  and  care- 
fulness in  the  execution  of  the  functions  of  his  office,  which 
we  are  highly  gratified  to  see  and  to  commend.  We  also 
recommend  that  his  report  be  adopted  and  made  part  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  convention. 

Before  closing  this  report  we  desire  to  say  that  we  are 
reminded  by  President  Penna’s  address  that  this  is  probably 
the  last  of  such  addresses  that  he  will  make  to  a body  of 
miners,  much  as  we  might  desire  otherwise,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  he  is  retiring  from  the  field  of  operations  in  which  he  has 
been  engaged  so  many  years.  In  view  of  this  fact  it  seems  to 
us  fitting  to,  in  a small  measure,  assure  him  that  this  retire- 
ment is  one  of  the  greatest  losses  that  not  only  the  miners  of 
America  ever  sustained  in  the  absence  from  their  councils  of 
one  man,  but  also  organized  labor  at  large.  We  do  not  in  any 
sense  desire  it  understood  that  we  are  hero  worshipers  and  we 
are  not  unmindful  that  even  Brother  Penna,  like  ourselves,  is 
human,  but  we  cannot  forget  that  which  we  have  experienced ; 
we  always  felt  fortified  against  the  enemy  in  those  many  bat- 
tles of  mind  and  argument,  when  he  was  in  our  midst.  We  as- 
sure him  that  we  have  always  felt  proud  of  him,  as  one  who 
was  ever  able  to  do  us  credit  as  our  representative,  and  we 
have  often  congratulated  ourselves  on  the  fact  that  even  in 
other  assemblies  of  laboring  men,  of  men  selected  from  the 
cream  of  the  intelligence  of  representative  laboring  people  of 
this  broad  land,  a miner  in  the  person  of  our  retiring  presi- 
dent we  invariably  selected  when  oratorical  ability  and  logical 
argument  was  a necessity,  even  to  the  extent  of  having  been  re- 


446 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


quested  by  the  professors  of  some  of  our  colleges  to  address 
the  students  of  those  institutions  on  economic  subjects. 

All  of  these  things,  together  with  the  fact  that  our  em- 
ployers both  respected  and  feared  his  sincerity  and  his  power 
as  an  informed  and  resistless  debater,  have  made  us  respect 
him,  and  proud  of  him,  and  regret  his  retirement;  and  we 
trust  that  his  efforts  in  any  walk  of  life  in  which  he  may 
hereafter  be  placed,  he  will  be  prosperous  and  successful ; and 
we  hereby  recommend  that  this  body  do  now  recognize  his 
past  services  to  the  extent  at  least  of  electing  him  an  honorary 
member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Committee — James  O’Connor,  S.  H.  Wilson,  Jacob  Collins, 
T.  G.  Morgan  and  Charles  E.  Wallace. 

Motion,  That  the  report  be  adopted.  Carried. 

Adjourned  to  Friday  morning. 

FRIDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  8:30  a.  m.,  with  President 
Penna  in  the  chair. 

Motion,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  recommending 
that  the  bill  of  John  Fahy  for  $721.34  be  paid.  Concurred  in 
by  committee.  Carried. 

Motion,  We  invite  Hon.  John  McBride  to  address  the  con- 
vention. Carried. 

After  Mr.  McBride  addressed  the  convention  at  some 
length.  President  Penna  read  a letter  from  the  Hocking  Valley 
operators,  agreeing  to  a joint  convention  of  operators  and 
miners  as  follows: 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Jan.  15,  1897. 

P.  H.  Penna: 

Dear  Sir — Replying  to  the  request  of  your  committee  for 
Interstate  Convention,  the  Hocking  operators  beg  to  state  that 
they  will  be  pleased  to  meet  the  operators  from  Pittsburg, 
together  with  the  members  of  your  convention,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  fixing  a price  for  mining  for  the  ensuing  year,  for  the 
two  districts,  based  on  the  established  differential  of  nine 
cents  per  ton  between  the  Hocking  and  Pittsburg  districts. 

If  you  determine  to  meet  our  operators  on  the  above 
named  conditions,  we  suggest  that  the  joint  meeting  be  held 
not  later  than  Monday,  January  18th,  at  9 a.  m. 

Awaiting  your  early  reply,  we  remain,  yours  truly, 

Thos.  Johnson, 

J.  S.  Morton, 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


447 


Motion,  That  the  special  committee  be  so  instructed  to  try 
to  bring  about  a joint  meeting  of  operators  and  miners.  Car- 
ried. 

The  conves-ition  adjourned  for  dinner. 

FRIDAY  AFTERNOON. 

The  following  national  constitution  was  adopted  in  full 
for  1897 : 

NATIONAL  CONSTITUTION  1897. 

'Name,  Ohjects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Uni- 
ted Mine  Workers  of  America,  composed  of  National  Trades 
Assembly  135,  Independent  Order  Knights  of  Labor,  and  the 
National  Progressive  Union. 

Section  2.  The  objects -of  this  union  are  to  unite  mine 
employes  and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  con- 
ciliation, arbitration  or  strikes. 

Section  3.  This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its 
affiliated  bodies,  which  shall  be  governed  in  all  trade  matters 
by  this  constitution. 

Article  II. — Officers  and  Their  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  union  shall  be,  one  Presi- 
dent or  Master  Workman,  one  Vice-President  or  Worthy 
Foreman,  one  Secretary-Treasurer  and  an  Executive  Board  of 
nine  members,  three  of  whom  shall  be  the  President,  Vice- 
President  and  Secretary-Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  at 
each  annual  convention. 

Section  2.  The  President  or  Master  Workman  shall  pre- 
side at  all  general  conventions  of  the  union;  he  shall  sign  all 
official  documents,  when  satisfied  of  their  correctness;  he 
shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  executive  board,  fill  by  appoint- 
ment all  vacancies  occurring  in  the  national  offices,  and  in  a 
like  manner  he  is  empowered  to  suspend  or  remove  any  na- 
tional officer  for  insubordination  or  just  and  sufficient  cause; 
he  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  executive  board,  appoint  from 
time  to  time  such  organizers  and  workers  as  may  be  required ; 
he  shall  devote  his  time  and  attention  to  the  interests  of  the 
union,  and  exercise  general  supervision  of  its  workings,  either 
in  the  field  or  in  the  national  office,  as  his  judgment  dictates 
or  the  exigencies  of  the  case  require. 

Section  3.  The  Vice-President  or  Worthy  Foreman  shall 
act  as  general  organizer,  and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of 
the  President  or  Master  Workman,  and  shall  succeed  that 
officer  in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office. 


448 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Section  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of 
and  preserve  all  books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  national 
office ; shall  record  proceedings  of  all  conventions  and  of  the 
meetings  of  the  executive  board,  and.  shall  keep  copies  of  im- 
portant letters  sent  out  by  him;  he  shall  receive  and  receipt 
for  all  moneys,  pay  all  current  expenses ; he  shall  prepare  and 
submit  to  the  locals  a quarterly  report  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  as- 
signed him;  he  shall  give  a bond  of  $5,000  for  the  safe  keep- 
ing of  all  moneys  entrusted  to  him,  but  he  shall  not  have  more 
than  $2,500  subject  to  his  order  at  any  one  time.  All  other 
funds  must  be  deposited  by  him,  subject  to  the  order  of  the 
executive  board. 

Section  5.  The  executive  board  shall  constitute  a Na- 
tional Board  of  Arbitration  and  Conciliation;  shall  execute 
the  orders  of  national  conventions,  and  between  conventions 
shall  have  full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  union.  The 
board  shall  be  convened  by  the  President  or  Master  Workman, 
or  by  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  at  the  request  of  three  mem- 
bers of  said  board. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  National  Union  shall  be 
derived  from  local  unions  and  local  assemblies,  which  shall 
pay  direct  to  the  Secretary-Treasurer  ten  (10)  cents  per 
month  per  member;  fractional  members  shall  pay  in  propor- 
tion. The  local  secretary  shall  fill  out  and  forward  to  the  na- 
tional and  district  secretaries  a monthly  report  of  the  mem- 
bers in  good  standing  in  the  local  union  or  assembly ; said  re- 
port to  be  forwarded  to  the  national  and  district  secretaries 
on  or  before  the  25th  of  each  month. 

Section  2.  In  filling  out  the  monthly  report,  the  local 
secretary  shall  report  to  the  national  office,  on  blanks  fur- 
nished for  that  purpose,  the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the 
number  of  members  reported  to  the  district,  and  to  the  district 
office  the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number  of  members 
reported  to  the  national  secretary. 

Section  3.  The  national  convention  shall  be  held  annually 
on  the  second  Tuesday  in  Januaiy,  at  such  place  as  may  be 
determined  upon  by  the  preceding  convention.  Special  con- 
ventions shall  be  called  by  the  president  or  master  workman, 
when  so  instructed  by  the  executive  board  or  at  the  request  of 
five  different  unions  or  divisions. 

Section  4.  Representatives  to  the  national  convention 
from  affiliated  districts,  divisions  or  locals  shall  have  one  vote 
for  100  members  or  less,  and  an  additional  vote  for  each  100 
members  or  majority  fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative 
shall  have  more  than  five  votes,  and  no  person  shall  be  eli- 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


449 


gible  as  representative,  who  is  not,  or  has  not  been,  a practical 
miner. 

Section  5.  No  local  assembly  or  local  union  shall  be  en- 
titled to  representation  in  the  national  convention  that  is  in 
arrears  for  dues  or  assessments  for  three  (3)  months  pre- 
ceding the  month  in  which  the  national  convention  is  held, 
and  who  has  not  in  every  particular  complied  with  the  con- 
stitution of  the  district  in  which  said  local  assembly  or  local 
union  may  be  located,  and  any  mine  within  the  territory  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  having  been 
once  organized  for  a period  of  three  months,  and  allowing 
itself  to  become  lapsed,  defunct,  or  refusing  to  pay  dues  to  the 
organization,  shall  and  must  be  in  good  standing  for  a period 
of  six  months  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  annual  conven- 
tion, before  said  local  union  or  local  assembly  shall  be  en- 
titled to  representation  in  the  annual  or  special  conventions 
of  the  national  or  district  organizations. 

Section  6.  No  locals  shall  be  exempt  from  paying  per 
capita  tax  unless  they  have  been  idle  one  month.  In  all  cases 
where  local  unions  or  local  assemblies  desire  exoneration  from 
dues,  same  request  shall  be  signed  by  the  president,  secretary 
and  mine  committee. 

Article  IV — Strikes. 

Section  1.  When  trouble  of  a local  character  arises  be- 
tween members  of  any  local  assembly  or  local  union,  and  their 
employers,  the  officers  of  said  locals  shall  endeavor  to  effect 
an  amicable  adjustment,  and  failing  in  this  they  shall  im- 
mediately notify  the  officers  of  the  district  to  which  the  af- 
fected locals  are  attached,  and  said  district  officers  shall  im- 
mediately investigate  the  cause  of  complaint,  and  failing  to 
effect  a peaceful  settlement  upon  a basis  that  would  be  equi- 
table and  just  to  aggrieved  members,  finding  that  a strike 
would  best  subserve  the  interests  of  the  locality  affected,,  they 
may  order  the  inauguration  of  a strike,  but  no  local  strike 
shall  be  legalized  or  supported  by  a district  unless  its  inaug- 
uration was  approved  by  the  officers  of  the  district,  or  by  the 
national  executive  board  upon  an  appeal  taken  by  the  ag- 
grieved members  from  the  decision  of  the  district  offices; 
any  local  union  or  local  assembly  striking  in  violation  of  the 
above  provisions  shall  not  be  sustained  or  recognized  by  na- 
tional office  or  officers. 

Section  2.  Before  final  action  is  taken  by  any  district 
upon  questions  that  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  interests 
of  the  mine  workers  of  another  district,  or  that  require  a 
strike  to  determine,  the  president  or  master  workman  and  the 
secretary  of  the  aggrieved  district  shall  jointly  prepare,  sign 
and  forward,  to  the  national  president  or  master  workman,  a 


450 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


written  statement  setting  forth  the  grievance  complained  of, 
the  action  contemplated  by  the  district,  together  with  the 
reasons  therefor,  and  the  national  president  or  master  work- 
man shall,  within  five  days  after  the  receipt  of  such  statement, 
either  approve  or  disapprove  of  the  action  contemplated  by 
the  aggrieved  district,  and  such  approval  or  disapproval,  to- 
gether with  reasons  therefor,  shall  be  made  in  writing  and  a 
copy  forwarded  to  the  secretary  of  the  complaining  district. 
Should  the  action  contemplated  by  the  aggrieved  district  re- 
ceive the  approval  of  the  national  president  or  master  work- 
man, the  district  shall  be  free  to  act,  but  should  the  national 
president  or  master  workman  disapprove  the  action  contem- 
plated the  district  may  appeal  to  the  national  executive 
board,  which  shall  be  convened  to  consider  such  appeal  wdthin 
five  days  after  its  receipt  by  the  national  secretary;  until  the 
national  president  or  master  workman  has  approved,  or  the 
national  executive  board  has  sustained  the  appeal,  no  dis- 
trict shall  be  free  to  enter  upon  a strik«  unless  it  shall  have 
been  ordered  by  a national  convention. 

Article  T — Qualifications  and  Solar;/  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  A member  in  good  standing  in  either  branch 
of  the  organization  shall  be  eligible  to  hold  office  in  the  na- 
tional union ; provided,  he  has  been  a member  of  an  affiliated 
district  or  division  for  six  months  prior  to  his  election  and 
becomes  a member  of  both  branches  before  qualifying  for  the 
office  to  which  he  has  been  elected. 

Section  2.  President,  $1,200;  Vice-President,  $900;  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer, $1,000;  salary  of  executive  board,  $2.50 
per  day  and  expenses,  when  employed  by  the  president  to 
work  in  the  interest  of  the  United  Mine  Workers. 

Article  TI. 

Section  1.  All  nominations  for  national  offices  shall  be 
sent  to  the  national  secretary  not  later  than  two  months  be- 
fore the  annual  convention ; said  nominations  shall  be  com- 
piled by  him  and  sent  out  not  later  than  two  weeks  prior 
to  the  convention,  and  no  person  shall  be  elected  to  any  office 
unless  his  name  has  been  sent  to  all  locals  as  above  specified. 
The  national  secretary  shall  publish  the  name  of  no  candidate 
without  first  obtaining  his  consent.  Delegates  shall  come  to 
the  convention  instructed  to  vote  for  candidates  for  the  re- 
spective positions,  which  vote  shall  be  recorded  and  become 
a part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention. 

Section  2.  No  person,  a member  of  the  organization,  who 
holds  a financial  or  clearance  card,  showing  him  to  be  a finan- 
cial member  (and  in  good  standing),  shall  be  debarred  or 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


451 


hindered  from  obtaining  work  on  account  of  race,  creed  or 
nationality;  and  a clearance  card  from  any  legalized  or  rec- 
ognized labor  organization,  anywhere,  known  to  be  friendly 
to  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  shall  be  accepted; 
and  any  member  leaving  a local  union  or  local  assembly,  and 
desirous  of  becoming  a member  in  any  other  local  union  or 
local  assembly,  must  deposit  a transfer  card  with  recording 
secretary  of  the  local  union  in  which  he  desires  to  be  a mem- 
ber. Due  cards  or  clearance  cards  shall  not  admit  any  person 
to  membership  from  one  local  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America  to  another.  And,  to  protect  the  membership  of  in- 
dividuals who  are  unable  to  pay  their  dues  because  of  no  local 
existing  where  they  reside,  the  national,  district  and  sub- 
district secretaries  shall  receive  dues  from  them  and  issue  to 
them  the  usual  cards  for  the  same. 

Section  3.  Any  local  assembly  or  local  union,  who  shall 
wilfully  violate  the  above  shall,  if  proven  guilty,  for  the  first 
offense  be  suspended  from  all  rights  and  privileges  for  three 
months,  and  for  the  second  offense,  suspended  for  six  months, 
or  as  long  as  it  is  deemed  best  by  the  national  executive 
board. 

Section  4.  That  no  charges  shall  be  considered  by  any 
convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  unless  such  charges 
>e  preferred  in  writing  to  the  executive  board,  who  shall  hear 
md  determine,  and  report  to  the  convention  their  finding. 

Section  5.  Delegates  to  the  national  convention  shall  be 
paid  railroad  fare  to  and  from  the  convention  on  the  follow- 
ing basis : Delegates  shall  represent  five  locals,  if  said  locals 
contain  not  more  than  500  members.  When  there  are  500 
members  in  one  local,  or,  in  a less  number  than  five  locals  such 
local  or  locals  shall  be  entitled  to  send  a delegate.  Locals 
isolated  and  who  can  not  meet  with  other  locals  for  the  pur- 
pose of  electing  a delegate,  shall  be  entitled  to  send  a repre- 
sentative. The  executive  board  shall  have  power  to  levy  the 
members  to  carry  out  the  above  provisions,  provided  said 
levy  be  necessary. 

Section  6.  The  national  officers  shall  have  power  to 
change  boundaries  and  jurisdiction  of  districts  as  the  condi- 
tions may  require  between  conventions;  provided,  however, 
that  they  consult  the  district  officers  of  the  districts  that  such 
change  of  boundaries  and  jurisdiction  may  affect;  and  in  no 
case  shall  any  such  change  be  made  until  affected  local  or 
locals  shall  have  paid  all  tax  and  assessments  due  to  the  dis- 
trict to  which  it  or  they  are  attached. 

Section  7.  Two  auditors  shall  be  elected  annually,  to  ex- 
amine the  books  of  the  national  secretary  quarterly  and 
cause  their  report  to  be  published  in  the  United  Mine  Work- 


452 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ers  Journal,  said  auditors  to  hold  no  national  or  district  offices. 

Section  8.  The  national  executive  board  shall  have 
power  to  order  a general  suspension  at  any  time  during  the 
year  that  they  deem  it  necessary. 

Section  9.  Any  member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
accepting  a position  in  or  around  the  mines  other  than  that 
of  a miner  or  mine  laborer,  shall  cease  to  be  a member  of  the 
organization  while  holding  such  position,  this  not  to  apply  to 
co-operative  companies  receiving  the  indorsement  of  the  na- 
tional executive  board. 

CONSTITUTION  N.  T.  A.  135,  INDEPENDENT  ORDER  K.  OF  L. 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  This  body  shall  be  known  as  National  Trades 
Assembly  No.  135,  and  shall  work  under  a charter  granted  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  I.  0.  Knights  of  Labor. 

Section  2.  In  all  things  it  shall  conform  to  the  laws  of 
the  general  assembly  of  the  I.  0.  Knights  of  Labor. 

Article  II. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  affiliated  with  and  become  a part  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Section  2.  It  shall  in  all  trade  matters  be  governed  by  the 
laws  adopted  by  the  United  Mine  Workers. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  This  assembly  shall  meet  annually  and  a call 
for  the  convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 
shall  be  considered  as  a call  for  a meeting  of  N.  T.  A.  135. 

Section  2.  All  delegates  elected  to  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America  from  local  assemblies  attached  to  N.  T.  A. 
135  shall  become  delegates  to  N.  T.  A.  135  by  virtue  of  said 
election,  but  in  all  cases  the  N.  T.  A.  shall  have  full  jurisdic- 
tion over  the  eligibility  of  such  delegates. 

Section  3.  Delegates  to  the  general  assembly  shall  be 
elected  at  the  regular  annual  session  in  conformity  with  the 
constitution  of  the  general  assembly. 

Section  4.  All  officers  elected  by  the  United  I\Iine  Workers 
of  America  shall  become  the  officers  of  the  N.  T.  A.  135  by 
virtue  of  such  election;  provided,  they  are  members  of  the 
order. 

Article  IV. 

Section  1.  All  taxes  and  assessments  levied  by  the  Uni- 
ted Mine  Workers  of  America  shall  be  binding  upon  the  locals 
and  members  of  N.  T.  A.  135. 

Report  of  the  special  committee : 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


453 


Motion,  That  we  meet  in  joint  convention  in  this  city  on 
Monday  at  10  o’clock  a.  m.  with  the  miners  and  operators  of 
Ohio  and  Pennsylvania.  That  the  special  committee  notify 
Mr.  Chapman,  president  of  the  Ohio  operators,  of  our  action. 
Carried. 

It  was  resolved  that  transfer  cards  be  sold  to  locals  at  cost ; 
That  Jerre  Meade  of  West  Virginia  be  recommended  to  Gov- 
ernor-elect G.  W.  Atkinson  as  a worthy  candidate  for  the  ap- 
pointment as  one  of  the  mine  inspectors  for  that  state;  That 
the  national  executive  board  draft  a circular  to  be  sent  to 
each  local  enumerating  all  points  deemed  necessary  to  make  a 
successful  defense  fund  with  the  distinct  understanding  that 
no  money  be  drawn  from  the  fund  without  a majority  vote 
of  the  members  of  the  national  organization,  the  details  and 
finality  of  which  were  to  be.  determined  at  the  next  annual 
convention. 

The  committee  on  scale  reported  that  the  price  per  ton  for 
pick  mining  shall  be  69  cents  in  Pennsylvania,  60  cents  in 
Hocking  Valley,  60  cents  in  Indiana,  55  cents  in  the  Grape 
Creek  district,  and  the  mining  rate  of  1894  for  the  balance  of 
Illnois.  This  part  of  the  report  was  adopted. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

SATURDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  President  Penna  in  the 
chair. 

The  scale  committee  continued  their  report: 

Resolved,  That  the  Jackson  and  Massillon  districts,  Co- 
shocton county  and  No.  6 vein  of  Columbiana  county  and  other 
coal  fields,  demand  nine  cents  per  ton  above  Hocking  Valley 
mining  rate.  That  the  time  when  the  scale  shall  go  into 
effect  be  left  with  the  National  Executive  Board  and  district 
presidents.  The  election  of  officers  follows:  For  President, 

Michael  D.  Ratchford;  Vice-President,  John  Kane;  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  W.  C.  Pearce. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Executive  Board  Members:  John  H.  Kennedy,  R.  L. 

Davis,  Patrick  Dolan,  Fred  Dilcher,  Henry  Stephenson, 
James  M.  Carson. 


454 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Auditors:  Willard  Bartoe  and  Thomas  Kirsop. 

Delegates  to  American  Federation  of  Labor  convention: 
T.  L.  Lewis,  P.  H.  Penna,  M.  D.  Ratchford. 

Whereas,  The  late  annual  convention  of  the  Ohio  miners 
recently  held  in  this  city,  unanimously  endorsed  Mr.  Van  L. 
Drake  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  foreman  of  the  United  Mine  Worh- 
ers  Journal  composing  room,  and  who  is  a member  of  Typo- 
graphical Union  No.  5,  for  appointment  to  the  position  of 
state  supervisor  of  public  printing;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates  to  the  eighth  annual  con- 
vention of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  in  conven- 
tion assembled,  do  heartily  approve  of  the  action  taken  by  the 
Ohio  miners ; and,  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  would  regard  the  appointment  of  Mr. 
Drake  to  the  position  as  one  particularly  pleasing  to  us,  and 
as  a just  recognition  of  a worthy  man. 

Concurred  in. 

Whereas,  The  retirement  of  our  esteemed  brother,  Cam- 
eron Miller,  from  active  service  in  our  official  ranks  presents 
a suitable  occasion  for  expressing  the  esteem  in  which  we  hold 
him  as  an  efficient  and  courteous  official;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America  are  hereby  tendered  him  for  the  able  and  prudent 
manner  in  which  he  performed  the  duties  of  his  office,  and 
we  sincerely  regret  that  his  personal  demands  oblige  him  to 
sever  his  official  connection  with  us;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  this  body  elect  him  an  honorary  member 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  that  these  reso- 
lutions be  spread  upon  the  minutes,  and  a copy  be  engrossed 
and  presented  to  Brother  Miller. 

Concurred  in  by  convention. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Jan.  16,  1897. 

The  eighth  annual  convention  of  the  United  IMine  Workers 
of  America,  being  assembled  in  regular  session,  adopts  the 
following : 

Whereas,  P.  H.  Penna,  who  for  the  past  thirteen  years  has 
been  an  active  participant  in  the  affairs  of  the  organized 
miners  of  the  United  States,  and  who  from  the  second  year 
of  the  existence  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  has 
been  an  official  of  the  organization,  and  who  has  for  the  past 
two  years  been  national  president  of  this  organization  is  about 
to  retire  from  official  position;  and 


Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings 


455 


Whereas,  Brother  Penna  has  amply  proved  himself  to  be 
a man  of  exceptional  ability  and  sound  integrity,  and  one 
who  has  on  every  available  occasion  proven  his  masterful 
conception  and  grasp  of  all  the  various  and  diverse  complex- 
ities of  the  coal  trade,  and  thereby  has  been  ever  ready  and 
qualified  to  defend  our  position  where  reason  was  permitted 
to  be  the  arbiter  of  any  dispute;  and 

Whereas,  The  height  of  economic  knowledge  to  which  he 
has  attained,  has  enabled  him  wherever  he  appeared  among 
our  ranks  to  transmit  to  our  craftsmen  ideas  and  lessons 
which  have  helped  and  which  are  still  helping  them  in  their 
serious  studies  of  their  industrial  and  economic  oppression, 
and  which  will  continue  to  exert  a healthful  influence  on  even 
generations  yet  to  come,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  do  now  hereby  express  our  profound 
regret  at  his  departure  from  our  midst,  and  trust  that  for- 
tune and  an  all  wise  providence  will  vouchsafe  to  him  in  his 
future  spheres  of  action,  health,  happiness  and  prosperity, 
and  that  we  trust  that  no  matter  in  what  field  of  activity  or 
place  of  life  he  may  find  himself,  it  is  our  ardent  hope  that 
the  sights  of  injustice  he  has  seen  and  mentally  experienced, 
the  tyrannies  and  oppressions  he  has  witnessed  and  com- 
bated, the  pain  and  anguish  he  has  read  and  translated, 
as  few  men  can  translate  them,  on  the  faces  and  forms  of 
men,  women  and  children  who  for  years  have  been  his  admir- 
ing clients,  will  always  remind  him  that  his  intellectual  fac- 
ulties and  his  trenchant  oratory  morally  belongs  to  those  that 
the  exigencies  and  responsibilities  of  life,  home  and  offspring 
force  him  reluctantly  to  bid  adieu  to;  and  that  they  will  still 
be  exerted  in  their  behalf.  Again  we  resolve  that  it  be  our 
ardent  wish  that  his  future  may  be  bright  and  full  of  happi- 
ness ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  this  preamble  and  resolutions  be  engrossed, 
and  shall  embody  the  resolution  already  passed,  making  him 
an  honorary  member,  and  shall  be  presented  to  him. 

Carried  unanimously. 

Nominations  for  place  of  next  annual  convention:  Co- 

lumbus, Ohio;  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Pittsburg.  Columbus  re- 
ceiving the  majority  vote  was  declared  the  place  of  meeting. 

Adjourned  until  evening. 

SATURDAY  NIGHT. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  9 p.  m.  with  President 
Ratchford  in  the  chair. 

Motion  we  now  go  into  executive  session.  Carried. 


456 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Moved,  That  Editor  Kane  be  the  press  reporter  of  this 
convention.  Carried. 

Whereas,  It  is  recognized  that  W.  P.  DeArmit,  president 
of  the  New  York  & Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Co.,  has  been  the  prime 
cause  of  the  low  price  of  mining  in  the  entire  competitive 
field,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  jointly  lend  our  support  to  the  establish- 
ing of  the  district  price  at  the  New  York  & Cleveland  Gas 
Coal  Co.  mines;  and  that  we  reconsider  the  motion  in  regard 
to  entering  into  a yearly  contract. 

Carried. 

Adjourned  sine  die. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 

SPECIAL  CONVENTION  OF  ILLINOIS  MINE  WORKERS. 

Springfield,  Illinois,  April  1,  1897. 

Convention  of  the  organized  and  unorganized  miners  of 
Illinois,  met  in  supervisor’s  room  of  the  City  of  Springfield  on 
above  date  pursuant  to  a call  authorized  by  regular  state  con- 
vention last  February. 

State  President  James  M.  Carson  called  the  convention  to 
order  at  the  appointed  time  and  selected  W.  E.  Smith,  Coal 
City;  George  Hunter,  LaSalle,  and  Joseph  Ogerek,  Minonk, 
committee  on  credentials.  After  a recess  of  fifteen  minutes  the 
following  were  reported  as  duly  accredited  delegates: 

W.  E.  Smith,  Coal  City;  John  Mitchell,  Knox  Alexander, 
Spring  Valley;  George  Hunter,  George  Watkins,  LaSalle 
(Jones’)  ; J.  M.  Irvin,  Bloomington;  J.  L.  Gehr,  Bartonville; 
Robert  Douglas,  Oglesby;  Thomas  Hallam,  James  Barrow- 
man,  Jr.,  W.  D.  Ryan,  Braidwood;  James  Gallagher,  Dawson; 
John  W.  Love,  Carbon  Hill;  Chris.  Lorenzoni,  John  McCul- 
loch, Toluca;  J.  J.  McAndrews,  Henry  Hewlett,  Nicholas 
Cowell,  Spaulding;  James  M.  Carson,  A.  R.  Yeager,  O’Fallon; 
J.  E.  Miller,  Staunton;  Hermann  Koeppen,  Alex.  Suttie, 
George  Kakara,  Jacob  Stanley,  John  M.  Hunter,  George  D. 
Miller,  Streator ; W.  E.  Cooke,  LaSalle  and  Rockwell ; Martin 
Bolt,  Ladd;  William  Scheerschke,  Kangley;  William  Scaife 
(honorary)  ; John  McDonald,  Marquette;  Benjamin  Thomas, 
Clarke  City;  Joseph  Ogorek,  Minonk;  G.  E.  Daly,  Diamond. 


Special  Convention,  District  12 


457 


The  chair  then  appointed  the  following  committees : 

Resolutions — A.  R.  Yeager,  O’Fallon;  James  Barrowman, 
Braidwood;  J.  E.  Miller,  Staunton. 

Press  committee — John  Mitchell,  Knox  Alexander,  Spring 
Valley;  James  Barrowman,  Braidwood. 

The  official  call  was  then  read,  and  in  a few  well  chosen 
remarks  President  Carson  declared  the  convention  ready  for 
business. 

On  motion,  W.  J.  Guyman  was  accorded  a voice  and  seat 
in  the  convention. 

The  roll  was  then  called  in  order  to  give  each  delegate  an 
opportunity  to  report  the  local  conditions  in  their  respective 
locations. 

W.  E.  Cooke,  representing  LaSalle  and  Rockwell,  reported 
no  organization ; prospects  not  very  bright ; mine  run  system, 
66%  cents  in  winter,  59V2  cents  in  summer;  worked  less  than 
half  time  for  past  year.  Instructed  against  screens  of  any 
kind. 

At  this  point  National  President  M.  D.  Ratchford  and 
Secretary-Treasurer  J.  H.  Kennedy,  of  Indiana,  arrived  on 
the  scene,  and  the  regular  order  of  business  was  postponed 
in  order  to  give  them  an  opportunity  to  address  the  conven- 
tion. 

President  Ratchford  spoke  at  considerable  length,  con- 
fining his  remarks  principally  to  the  necessity  of  a perfect 
organization,  conducted  on  business  principles. 

The  special  convention  was  in  session  three  days  and  dis- 
cussed the  advisability  of  legislative  action,  the  disorganized 
condition  throughout  the  state,  and  passed  a number  of  resolu- 
tions bearing  on  the  action  of  members  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture that  worked  in  favor  of  the  mining  interest. 

A demand  for  10  cents  per  ton  advance  on  mining  rates 
was  made,  with  a final  resolution.  That  all  delegates  pledge 
themselves  to  leave  nothing  undone  that  would  help  to  build 
up  and  strengthen  the  organization  both  north  and  south. 

President  Ratchford  rendered  valuable  assistance  by  way 
of  advice  on  legislative  matters  considered  and  acted  upon. 

It  was  a revival  of  interest  between  the  organized  and 
unorganized  men  deeply  in  earnest  for  a stronger  consolida- 


458 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


tion  of  their  collective  well-being  as  miners  suffering  under 
the  pressure  of  capital  that  was  taking  advantage  of  the 
scattered  mining  forces  throughout  the  state. 

The  work  of  the  convention  was  commented  upon  as  hav- 
ing been  of  great  value  to  the  miners  as  a whole,  and  in  the 
midst  of  pleasantries  the  meeting  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

EIGHTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  DISTRICT  11. 

Terre  Haute  Indiana,  April  25,  1897. 

The  eighth  annual  convention  of  district  11  met  in  the 
City  of  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  at  10  a.  m.,  Tuesday,  April  20, 
1897,  and  was  called  to  order  by  President  Knight,  who  ap- 
pointed the  following  committees : 

On  Credentials — Eli  Mott,  W.  R.  Williams  and  John  Jen- 
nings. 

On  Order  of  Business — Hugh  Archibald,  W.  D.  Van  Horn 
and  John  Buckley. 

The  committee  on  order  of  business  submitted  the  follow- 
ing: 

We,  your  committee  on  order  of  business,  beg  leave  to 
submit  the  following  report:  The  hours  of  meeting  shall  be 

from  8 :40  a.  m.  until  12  m.,  and  from  1 :30  p.  m.  until  4 
p.  m. ; also  night  sessions  if  necessary.  Cushing’s  Manual 
to  be  the  guide. 

Moved  and  seconded,  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be 
adopted.  So  ordered. 

The  committee  on  credentials  submitted  the  following: 
John  Buckley  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Lee  Canady,  William  Tipton, 
William  Reece,  George  Seldomridge,  Dan  McKellof,  John 
Harrison,  John  Jennings,  M.  Bledsoe,  W.  D.  Van  Horn,  John 
Cludon,  Hugh  Archibald,  Samuel  Thorp,  Eli  Mott,  W.  R.  Wil- 
liams, James  Harkins,  Charles  Miller,  A.  McGranahan. 

Vice-President  Dan  Llewellyn  and  board  members  T.  G. 
Morgan  and  J.  C.  Smith  were  present ; also  G.  W.  Lackey  and 
ex-President  G.  W.  Purcell  were  given  a seat  in  the  conven- 
tion. National  Vice-President  Kane  was  also  present. 


Eighth  Annual  Proceedings,  District  11 


459 


Moved,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  be  received  and 
delegates  seated.  Carried. 

President  Knight  then  appointed  the  following  commit- 
tees : 

On  Resolutions — T.  G.  Morgan,  William  Tipton,  Lee  Can- 
ady. 

On  Constitution — J.  C.  Smith,  Samuel  Thorp,  M.  Bledsoe. 

On  Grievance — C.  Miller,  John  Harrison,  George  Seldom- 
ridge. 

On  Officers’  Reports — John  Buckley,  William  Reece,  W.  D. 
Van  Horn. 

On  Auditing — Eli  Mott,  Hugh  Archibald,  James  Harkins. 

Brother  Brock,  of  Clinton,  applied  for  permission  to  sit 
a while,  which  was  granted.  Brother  M.  S.  Canady  was  also 
allowed  a seat  in  the  convention. 

President  Knight  then  submitted  his  annual  report  to  the 
convention ; also  Secretary  Kennedy.  Reports  referred  to 
committee  on  officers’  reports. 

Moved  and  seconded.  We  now  hear  a report  from  dele- 
gates. So  ordered. 

Seldomridge — To  do  his  best  to  maintain  60  cents,  best 
terms  possible. 

McKellof — Same ; prices  now  47  cents  screened,  and  at  one 
mine  25  cents  run  of  mine;  day  men  $1.80. 

Miller — Not  instructed;  prices  now  47  cents  screened;  day 
men  $1.80. 

Bledsoe — 60  cents  if  possible;  best  terms  possible;  price 
now  60  cents. 

Van  Horn — 60  cents,  and  20  cents  per  hour  for  day  men. 

Clinton  and  Reese — Same. 

Buckley — The  best  terms  possible;  prices  now  52  cents; 
day  men  from  $1.50  to  $1.80. 

Archibald — 60  cents  if  possible ; if  not  next  best  terms. 

Harrison — 60  cents,  or  best  settlement  possible. 

Mott,  Tipton,  Thorp,  Canady,  Jennings  and  Williams — 
Same. 

Harkins — 60  cents. 

Kennedy — For  Bicknell,  60  cents. 

McGranahan — Best  terms  possible. 


460 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Convention  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Knight  at  1 :30 

p.  m. 

Committee  on  officers’  reports:  Gentlemen  of  the  con- 

vention, in  submitting  our  report  we  have  very  little  to  say, 
as  the  very  able  report  of  your  officers  is  largely  history  of 
the  acts  and  conditions  of  the  organization.  However,  we 
recommend  that  this  convention  take  some  action  on  the 
recommendation  of  President  Knight,  in  which  he  recom- 
mends that  Indiana  and  Illinois  each  reserve  their  respective 
district  organization,  with  a joint  board  of  three  from  each 
state  to  be  appointed,  neither  to  make  a scale  without  the 
sanction  of  the  joint  board  and  state  officials  and  by  a major- 
ity vote  of  the  miners  of  both  states. 

After  some  discussion  on  the  question  the  report  of  the 
committee  was,  on  motion,  accepted;  but  that  action  on  rec- 
ommendation in  regard  to  Illinois  be  tabled  until  after  the 
joint  convention.  Agreed  to. 

Brother  John  Kane  was  called  to  give  his  views  of  the 
general  conditions  surrounding  the  coal  industry. 

Vice-President  Kane  then  took  the  floor,  and  for  an  hour 
the  delegates  gave  him  the  closest  possible  attention.  He  re- 
viewed with  great  care  the  competition  in  the  central  com- 
petitive field,  dwelling  on  the  situation  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania and  conditions  existing  in  West  Virginia,  and  also  in 
eastern  and  southern  Illinois.  “The  only  conclusion  I could 
come  to  was  that  only  by  a revival  of  the  interstate  agree- 
ment could  the  industry  be  improved  and  both  miners  and 
operators  benefited.  Let  us  hope  that  our  leading  operators 
and  miners  will  exert  their  energies  in  that  direction.” 

At  the  conclusion  of  Brother  Kane’s  remarks,  Brothers 
Lackey  and  Pascoe  came  into  the  hall.  Brother  Pascoe  made 
his  report  as  to  the  situation  in  Sullivan  county.  He  reported 
a very  unfavorable  condition  of  affairs  in  that  county,  and 
was  not  much  encouraged  to  believe  they  could  be  greatly 
improved  at  this  time,  some  of  our  brothers  in  the  Clinton 
district  having  been  discharged  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  our 
state.  The  matter  was  discussed  and,  on  motion,  the  incom- 
ing officers  were  instructed  to  push  the  matter  in  the  courts, 


Eighth  Annual  Proceedings,  District  11  461 

and  that  the  locals  working  do  what  they  can  to  bear  the 
expense  and  assist  the  victimized  brothers. 

Convention  then  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  again  called  to  order  by  President  Knight  at 
8:30. 

The  committee  on  resolutions,  being  ready  to  report,  sub- 
mitted the  following: 

Whereas,  There  is  at  present  some  of  our  members  black- 
listed and  have  entered  suit  against  company ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  render  such  financial  aid  as  may  be  re- 
quired or  necessary  to  defray  expenses  so  far  as  our  ability 
will  permit. 

Carried. 

The  following  was  presented  to  the  convention: 

Whereas,  At  many  places  in  district  11  advantage  has  been 
and  is  being  taken  of  the  perfectly  open  method  of  doing 
business  which  has  been  in  vogue  among  us  for  years;  there- 
fore, to  further  prevent  this  advantage  being  taken  of  us 
by  our  enemies,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  incoming  executive  board  of  district  11 
be  authorized  to  so  extend  or  amend  the  manual  of  procedure 
as  to  fit  the  case  of  those  locals  desiring  to  work  in  secret,  and 
that  said  extension  and  amendments  be  submitted  to  the  na- 
tional executive  board  for  its  ratification,  when  the  district 
executive  board  shall  furnish  the  same  to  all  locals  who  make 
application  to  the  district  secretary  for  the  same. 

Adopted. 

Brother  Lackey  was  then  called  to  report  the  result  of  his 
labors  in  the  northern  field  for  the  past  two  or  three  weeks ; 
he  reported  that  he  had  only  met  with  moderate  success  in  the 
way  of  organizing,  but  gathered  some  very  useful  information 
in  regard  to  conditions  existing  at  the  unorganized  mines  in 
the  northern  part  of  our  state  and  the  Danville,  Illinois,  field. 
Brother  Lackey’s  report  was  received.  The  auditing  commit- 
tee then  submitted  the  following  report : 

We,  the  undersigned  auditing  committee,  beg  leave  to 
make  the  following  report: 


462 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


We  have  carefully  examined  the  books  of  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  and  find  them  as  he  has  reported  to  the  convention. 
We  find  that  on  November  10,  1896,  there  remained  on  hand: 


Strike  fund  .$718.23 

Collected  between  November  10  and  end  of  strike 2,103.74 

Total  .$2,821.97 

Disbursed  to  men  on  strike 1,919.20 

Balance 1 $902.77 

On  hand  general  fund,  April  1,  1896 $315.66 

Received  from  all  sources 1,946.04 

Total  .$2,261.70 

Expenditures  for  the  year  ending  April  1,  1897 1,857.07 

Balance  on  hand  April  1,  1897 .$404.63 

Received  for  victimized  men $20.86 

Disbursed  to  victimized  men 10.00 

Balance  on  hand $10.86 


After  having  gone  through  the  books  of  our  Secretary- 
Treasurer  we  could  not  help  making  some  comment  upon  the 
simplicity  and  neatness  in  which  Brother  Kennedy  keeps  his 
books.  He  certainly  is  a credit  to  our  union  as  a bookkeeper. 

James  Harkins, 
Hugh  Archibald, 

Eli  Mott, 

Committee. 

The  report  of  auditing  committee  was  received. 

Committee  on  constitution  submitted  the  following: 

That  there  be  added  to  Section  3,  Article  6,  That  any  local 
failing  to  comply  with  Section  3,  of  Article  6,  shall  be  barred 
from  representation  at  the  succeeding  convention. 

Adopted. 

At  this  point  a telegram  was  received  from  Linton  Local 
Union  14,  as  follows: 

“Docking  system  being  sought  to  be  enforced.  Men  on 
strike.” 

Noon  having  arrived,  the  convention  adjourned  for  din- 
ner. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.  by  President 
Knight. 

Moved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  convention,  that  the 


Eighth  Annual  Proceedings,  District  11  463 

delegate  from  Local  Union  14  will  advise  his  local  to  adjust 
matters  the  best  they  can  until  we  have  time  to  attend  to  it. 
Carried. 

Election  of  officers:  All  candidates  for  president  having 

withdrawn  except  Brother  Knight,  the  secretary  was,  on  mo- 
tion, instructed  to  cast  the  vote  for  the  convention  for  Brother 
Knight. 

Brother  Llewellyn  was  elected  vice-president. 

For  secretary-treasurer,  John  H.  Kennedy. 

Executive  board.  Lackey,  Mooney,  Smith  and  Harkins. 

After  the  election.  President  Knight  was  called  on  to  ad- 
dress the  convention,  which  he  did  briefly,  offering  some  good 
advice. 

The  newly  elected  officers  all  made  a few  remarks. 

After  some  discussion  as  to  what  course  to  pursue  when 
we  meet  our  operators  tomorrow,  the  convention  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Knight  at  9 
o’clock. 

Moved,  That  as  we  meet  our  operators  tonight,  we  now  go 
into  a discussion  of  the  scale  question.  Agreed  to. 

This  question  was  discussed  until  noon,  all  delegates  tak- 
ing part  therein. 

Moved,  That  a committee  of  seven  be  appointed  to  draw 
up  some  plan  of  action  to  be  pursued  when  we  meet  our  em- 
ployers. Agreed  to. 

The  committee  was  composed  of  Archibald,  Smith,  Ken- 
nedy, Llewellyn,  Van  Horn,  Lackey  and  Buckley.  Messrs. 
Kane  and  Knight  as  advisory  members. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Knight  at  4:30 

p.  m. 

The  scale  committee  submitted  the  following  report: 

That  the  price  of  mining  be  60  cents  per  ton. 

All  outside  day  labor,  20  cents  per  hour. 

Entry  price  for  dry  entries,  $1.25  per  yard;  medium  wet, 
$1.371/2 ; extra  wet,  $1.46 ; breakthroughs  between  rooms, 
same  as  entries;  room  turning,  $3.  Day  men  and  miners  to 


464 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


be  checked  alike,  that  is,  all  dues  and  levies  to  be  paid  in  office. 
That  all  deficiencies  shall  be  recognized  and  paid  for.  Where 
impurities  appear  in  top  or  bottom,  or  both,  they  shall  be  paid 
for  at  the  rate  of  3 cents  per  inch,  per  lineal  yard.  Report 
accepted. 

Moved,  That  a committee  of  three  be  elected  to  act  in  con- 
junction with  the  committee,  of  Illinois  in  trying  to  bring 
about  closer  relationship  between  the  two  states.  Carried. 

Committee,  G.  W.  Lackey,  J.  C.  Smith  and  T.  G.  Morgan. 

The  convention  adjourned  at  11  o’clock,  sine  die. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

GOVERNOR  ATKINSON  WRITES  TO  LABOR  LEADERS. 

State  of  West  Virginia, 

Executive  Chamber, 

Charleston,  August  3,  1897. 

Messrs.  Gompers,  Sovereign  and  Ratchford,  Committee,  etc. 

Gentlemen : Referring  to  your  visit  to  me  several  days 

ago,  in  which  there  was  a friendly  discussion  between  us  of 
certain  phases  of  the  labor  troubles  in  this  state,  and 
especially  of  the  strike  of  the  coal  miners,  and  of  your  several 
telegrams  recently  received,  and  referring  also  especially  to 
your  desire  that  I should  take  steps  to  secure  to  you  and  the 
workingmen  of  the  state  the  right  and  privilege  of  holding 
public  meetings  for  the  discussion  of  matters  concerning  the 
welfare  of  the  said  miners,  I beg  to  say  to  you  that  I have 
given  the  matter  most  earnest  consideration. 

In  this  controversy  there  are  to  be  considered  both  the 
rights  of  property  and  the  rights  of  the  citizens.  In  our  talk 
you  spoke  of  a certain  injunction  that  had  been  issued  by  the 
circuit  court  of  Marion  county  against  you  and  others,  accord- 
ing to  the  terms  of  which,  as  you  understand  them,  you  were 
prohibited  from  holding  public  meetings  for  the  purpose  of 
discussing  the  benefits  of  the  organization  of  the  coal  miners 
of  the  Fairmont  region.  I understand  that  this  injunction 
has  not  been  served  upon  you,  and  that  you  have  not  been 
called  upon  to  make  any  answer  thereto. 

The  circuit  court  of  Marion  county  belongs  to  the  judicial 
department  of  the  state  government,  which  is  a separate  and 
independent  department  from  the  executive,  and  it  would  be 


Copies  of  Original  Injunctions 


465 


obviously  improper  for  me  to  express  my  opinion  as  to 
whether  said  injunction  was  properly  or  improperly  issued, 
or  whether  it  is  too  sweeping  in  its  character,  or  too  compre- 
hensive in  its  scope,  and  especially  as  the  matter  has  not  yet 
been  determined  by  the  supreme  court  of  this  state,  to  which 
you  can  take  an  appeal,  and  in  which  you  can,  I have  no  doubt, 
have  a fair  and  proper  hearing.  I have,  however,  requested 
the  Attorney  General  to  appear  in  the  matter  and  assist  in 
having  an  early  adjudication  by  the  supreme  court  of  the 
state  of  this  injunction  proceeding.  I have  done  this  because 
the  injunction  presents  somewhat  novel  questions,  and  I be- 
lieve it  is  the  first  of  the  kind  to  be  issued  in  this  state,  and 
because  it  affects  the  rights  of  a large  number  of  the  citizens 
of  West  Virginia. 

The  bill  of  rights  of  the  constitution  of  this  state  guaran- 
tees to  the  people  thereof  “The  right  to  assemble  in  a peace- 
able manner,  to  consult  for  the  common  good,  to  instruct  their 
representatives,  or  to  apply  for  redress  of  grievances.”  And 
it  also  provides  that  “No  law  abridging  freedom  of  speech  or 
of  the  press  shall  be  passed.”  These  are  rights  which  have 
come  down  to  us  from  the  days  of  Magna  Charta,  which 
rights,  as  long  as  I am  governor,  shall  be  preserved  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  state,  if  in  my  power  so  to  do. 

It  is  the  right  and  the  duty  of  the  legislature  to  enact  laws ; 
of  the  courts  to  construe  them,  and  of  the  executive  to  en- 
force them.  No  one  of  these  departments  should  interfere 
with  or  usurp  the  functions  or  prerogatives  of  the  others.  I 
will  say,  however,  that  I now  hold  and  have  always  held,  that 
the  right  of  free  speech  and  of  public  assembly  should  in  no 
wise  be  abridged,  and  that  the  widest  possible  liberty  should 
be  allowed  all  of  ©ur  people.  I have  always  maintained  that 
both  labor  and  capital  had  the  inherent  right  to  organize  for 
the  better  protection  of  both  of  their  interests,  provided  such 
organizations  are  made  and  maintained  within  the  restric- 
tions of  the  statutes  of  our  state.  It  is  improper  and  unlaw- 
ful to  use  threats,  force  or  intimidation  of  any  sort  to  induce 
men  to  connect  themselves  with  or  become  a part  of  any 
organized  body  of  capitalists  or  laborers. 

It  is  also  improper  and  unlawful  for  any  body  of  men, 
organized  or  unorganized,  to  trespass  upon  the  property  or 
premises  of  a citizen ; but  it  is  my  opinion  that  labor  organi- 
izers  or  capital  organizers,  or  any  other  organizers,  for  that 
matter,  may  present  their  causes  in  a proper  manner,  in  pub- 
lic places,  to  the  people,  and  induce  them  by  moral  suasion  to 
connect  themselves  with  any  organization  which  is  not  in  itself 
unlawful  in  its  aims  and  purposes.  In  other  words,  I claim 
the  right  for  myself  as  a citizen  of  West  Virginia,  to  discuss 


466 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


politics,  religion,  science,  labor  organizations,  or  any  other 
subject  I may  choose  to  discuss,  in  public  halls,  or  on  public 
highways,  provided  always  that  I confine  myself  to  the 
requirements  of  the  law  which  inhibits  me  from  trespassing 
upon  the  property  and  vested  rights  of  other  citizens.  I mean 
to  say  that  the  bill  of  rights  or  our  constitution  allows  me 
these  privileges,  and  that  no  court  can  impair  these  rights,  if 
I confine  myself  to  moral  suasion,  and  do  not  incite  the  people 
to  riotous  conduct  or  other  unlawful  acts. 

So  long  as  the  working  men  of  this  state  conduct  their 
cause  in  a lawful  and  peaceful  manner  it  will  be  my  duty,  as 
it  will  be  my  pleasure,  to  protect  them;  but  if  they  should, 
in  an  ill-advised  hour,  violate  the  law  by  interfering  with  the 
fights  or  property  of  others,  it  will  be  my  sworn  duty  to  re- 
press energetically  and  speedily  all  lawlessness,  and  to  see 
that  the  public  peace  is  maintained  at  all  hazards,  and  that 
the  property  of  our  people  is  protected;  for  we  must  all, 
whether  rich  or  poor,  employer  or  employe,  high  or  low, 
respect  and  obey  the  law. 

Very  respectfully  yours. 

Signed,  G.  W.  Atkinson,  Governor. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  DISTRICT  OF  WEST 

VIRGINIA,  SS. 

THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  TO  THE 
MARSHAL  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  W^ST  VIRGINIA. 

You  are  commanded  to  summon  Fred  Dilcher,  F.  J.  Weber, 
Wisconsin;  W.  H.  Haskins,  Chris.  Evans,  M.  D.  Ratchford, 
citizens  and  residents  of  the  State  of  Ohio;. Eugene  V.  Debs,  a 
citizen  and  resident  of  the  State  of  Indiana ; Pat  Dolan,  M.  D. 
Mahon,  citizens  and  residents  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  and 
Joseph  Vitchestein,  citizen  and  resident  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  all  their  confederates,  associates,  agents  and 
promoters,  whose  citizenship  and  places  of  residence  are  un- 
known, if  they  be  found  in  your  District,  to  be  and  appear  in 
the  Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  District  of  West 
Virginia,  aforesaid,  at  Rules  to  be  held  in  the  Clerk’s  office  of 
said  court,  at  Charleston,  on  the  first  Monday  in  October  next, 
to  answer  a certain  Bill  in  Chancery,  now  filed  and  exliibited 
in  said  court  against  them  by  the  Macdonald  Collieiy  Com- 
pany, a corporation,  a citizen  of  and  resident  in  the  State  of 
West  Virginia,  and  hereof  you  are  not  to  fail  under  the  pen- 
alty of  the  law  thence  ensuing,  and  have  then  and  there  this 
writ. 

Witness,  the  Honorable  Melville  W.  Fuller,  Chief  Justice 


West  Virginia  Injunctions 


467 


of  the  United  States,  this  16th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1897,  and 
in  the  122d  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  .of 
America. 

Attest:  L,  B.  Dellicher,  Clerk. 

Seal: 

Circuit  Court,  United  States,  District  West  Virginia, 
Charleston,  West  Va. 

MEMORANDUM. 

The  said  defendants  are  required  to  enter  their  appearance 
in  this  suit  in  the  Clerk’s  office  of  said  Court,  on  or  before  the 
first  Monday  of  October,  1897,  otherwise  the  said  bill  may  be 
taken  'pro  confesso. 

L.  B.  Dellicher,  Clerk. 

Copy  Teste:  L.  B.  Dellicher,  Clerk. 

INJUNCTION. 

AT  A CIRCUIT  COURT  HELD  FOR  KANAWHA  COUNTY,  AT  THE 
COURT  HOUSE  THEREOF,  ON  THE  17TH  DAY  OF  AUGUST,  1897, 
THE  FOLLOWING  ORDER  WAS  MADE  AND  ENTERED 
OF  RECORD : 

WINIFREDE  COAL  COMPANY  ) 

VS.  > IN  CHANCERY. 

CHRIS.  EVANS,  FRANK  J.  WEBER,  ET  ALS.  ) 

This  day  the  Winifrede  Coal  Company,  by  counsel,  ten- 
dered its  Bill  of  Complaint  against  Chris.  Evans,  Frank  J. 
Weber,  S.  C.  Harless,  Pat  O’Connor,  Charles  Hannigan,  Coger 
Belcher,  Richard  Thomas  and  their  confederates  and  asso- 
ciates, which  is  ordered  to  be  filed,  and  thereupon  the  said 
plaintiff  moved  the  Court  for  an  injunction  as  prayed  for  in 
said  Bill.  Upon  consideration  of  which,  it  is,  until  the  further 
order  of  the  Court,  adjudged,  ordered  and  decreed  as  follows: 

That  said  defendants  and  each  of  them  and  their  associ- 
ates and  confederates  and  all  persons  acting  with  them  and 
their  respective  agents  and  servants  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
inhibited,  enjoined  and  restrained  from  threatening  or  coerc- 
ing in  any  manner  any  of  the  miners  and  employees  of  the 
plaintiff,  the  Winifrede  Coal  Company,  because  of  their  work- 
ing for  said  plaintiff ; and  from  attempting  in  any  manner 
to  induce  by  or  through  intimidation,  threats,  force,  coercion 
or  compulsion  of  any  kind,  any  of  said  miners  and  employees 
to  quit  the  service  of  said  company  or  to  quit  working  for 
said  company;  and  from  assembling  or  causing  to  assemble 
any  body  or  company  of  men  in  or  about  or  within  close  prox- 
imity to  said  company’s  mines,  property  or  works;  and  from 
being  a part  of  any  such  body  or  company  of  men ; and  froni 


468 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


going  upon  said  property,  mines  or  works;  and  from  annoy- 
ing or  harassing  or  attempting  to  annoy  and  harass  in  any 
manner  any  of  said  miners  and  employees  while  at  work  or 
while  going  to  or  returning  from  work  or  while  in,  at  or  about 
their  homes,  because  of  their  being  at  work  for  said  plaintiff, 
or  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  them  to  quit  work.  But  this 
injunction  shall  not  take  effect  until  the  plaintiff  or  some  one 
for  it  shall  execute  bond  before  the  clerk  of  this  Court  in  the 
penalty  of  $1,000.00,  conditioned  to  pay  all  costs  and  damages 
sustained  by  the  defendants  or  any  of  them,  if  it  shall  here- 
after be  determined  that  this  injunction  ought  not  to  have 
been  awarded.  And  upon  such  bond  being  given,  the  sheriff 
of  this  county  is  directed  in  addition  to  serving  copies  of  this 
order  upon  the  defendants  to  post  copies  thereof  in  and  about 
the  mines  and  works  of  said  plaintiff  and  at  such  public  places 
as  the  plaintiff  may  direct. 

Witness  : Grant  P.  Hall,  Clerk  of  our  said  Court  at  the 

Court  House  of  said  county,  the  17th  day  of  August,  1897, 
and  in  the  35th  year  of  the  State. 

(Signed)  Grant  P.  Hall,  Clerk. 

Bond  with  approved  security  has  been  executed  as  re- 
quired by  the  foregoing  order. 

Teste  (Signed)  Grant  P.  Hall,  Clerk. 

SUMMONS  IN  CHANCERY. 

THE  STATE  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA, 

To  the  Sheriff  of  Kanawha  County,  Greeting: 

We  command  you  that  you  summon  Chris  Evans,  Frank 
J.  Weber,  S.  C.  Harless,  Pat  O’Connor,  Charles  Hannigan, 
Coger  Belcher,  Richard  Thomas,  their  confederates,  asso- 
ciates and  co-conspirators  whose  names  are  to  the  plaintiff 
unknown — defendants — if  they  be  found  within  your  baili- 
wick, to  appear  before  the  Judge  of  our  Circuit  Court  for  the 
County  of  Kanawha,  at  rules  to  be  held  in  the  Clerk’s  office 
of  said  court  on  the  first  Monday  in  October  next,  to  answer 
a bill  in  Chancery,  exhibited  against  them  in  our  said  court, 
by  Winifrede  Coal  Company,  a corporation,  and  have  then 
and  there  this  writ. 

WITNESSETH : Grant,  P.  Hall,  Clerk  of  our  said  Court, 

at  the  Court  House  of  said  county,  the  18th  day  of  August, 
1897,  and  in  the  35th  year  of  the  State. 

(Signed)  Grant  P.  Hall,  Clerk. 


Special  National  Convention 


469 


FRANK  J.  WEBER,  AMERICAN  FEDERATION  OF  LA- 
BOR ORGANIZER,  RENDERING  AID  IN  WEST 
VIRGINIA,  1897. 

Montgomery,  W.  Va.,  August  25,  1897. 
Friend  Chris  Evans: 

R.  L.  Davis  is  here.  I had  him  speak  to  the  colored  men. 
I went  to  Powelton  without  the  Army.  As  no  one  appeared 
yesterday,  I will  visit  Powelton  again  in  the  morning.  We 
start  at  12 :30  a.  m.,  in  order  to  be  on  the  field  early.  A few 
men  went  in  at  Boomer’s  Branch,  and  another  army  will 
arrive  there  at  4 a.  m.  I have  not  heard  from  Mason  since 
Sunday.  I wish  you  would  notify  him  to  gather  all  men  west 
of  Handly  and  march  to  Acme.  I have  appointed  committee 
to  visit  the  St.  Clair  Coke  miners  and  ask  them  to  lay  down 
as  we  must  close  down.  I have  not  heard  from  New  River. 

I will  march  in  two  divisions  to  Powelton — one  up  the  rail- 
road, and  the  other  through  Morris  Creek  over  the  mountain. 
As  soon  as  I return  I will  report.  If  I am  successful  at  Pow- 
elton I will  try  Ansted  or  the  Gauly  Mountain  mine. 

With  best  wishes,  I remain. 

Yours  fraternally, 

F.  J.  Weber. 

SPECIAL  NATIONAL  CONVENTION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Sept.  8,  1897. 

Convention  assembled  at  Wirthwein  hall  at  10  o’clock 
a.  m.,  167  delegates  being  present  when  President  Ratchford 
and  Secretary  Pearce  took  their  respective  positions,  and  the 
former  rapped  for  order  and  announced  the  first  order  of 
business  as  the  appointing  of  committees  on  credentials  and 
order  of  business,  as  follows : 

Committee  orC  Credentials  — George  Schackert,  Ohio ; 
Daniel  Llewellyn,  Indiana;  W.  D.  Ryan,  Illinois;  Paul  Trim- 
mer, Pennsylvania;  C.  H.  Jones,  West  Virginia. 

Committee  on  Rules  and  Order  of  Business — S.  H.  Wilson, 
Ohio;  William  Dodds,  Pennsylvania;  Hugh  Archibald,  In- 
diana; James  Richards,  Illinois;  J.  W.  Satterfield,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

Motion,  Recess  until  1 o’clock,  to  give  committees  time  to 
report.  Carried. 


470 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Ratchford  in  the  chair. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  delegates  entitled 
to  seats  as  follows: 

Indiaim — W.  G.  Knight,  Dan  Llewellyn,  G.  C.  Wedding, 
Montgomery,  Linton  and  Washington;  W.  G.  Knight,  Cox- 
ville  and  Eagle ; Hugh  Archibald,  David  Pearce,  Lyford,  Clin- 
ton and  Geneva;  P.  D.  Roberts,  Brazil;  Ed  Mott,  L.  U.’s  525, 
780  and  433 ; George  Chesterfield,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Farnsworth 
and  Hymera. 

Ohio — John  Whelan,  P.  M.  North,  Grinton  Ballentine, 
Walter  Edwards,  David  Ayers,  James  Sargent,  Michael  Cur- 
ran, David  Barclay,  Charley  McGlinchio,  George  Gully,  Ed- 
ward Graham,  Jacob  Collins,  Isaac  Cole,  Morgan  Evans, 
George  Robinson  and  S.  H.  Wilson,  Wellston;  S.  W.  German, 
Joseph  Smart,  Jobs  mine;  Ed  Graham,  M.  K.  Learned,  F.  W. 
Quayle,  Samuel  Shuttleworth,  Thomas  Jenkins,  Wm.  E.  Apple- 
garth,  S.  R.  Helm,  G.  W.  Shackert,  John  Hannigan  and  John 
Marouny,  Murray  City  machine  mines;  Charley  Stiner,  James 
McKee,  Herman  Byrns,  Hemlock  and  Carrington,  H.  B.  Jones, 
John  Adley,  Jas.  Kerr,  Jas.  McKee,  Frank  Johnston,  Jacob 
Ashman,  J.  B.  Boyd,  B.  F.  Brown,  Jacob  Burr,  D.  H.  Sullivan, 
John  A.  Sigman,  George  A.  Wheeler,  Marion  F.  Gatten,  W.  H. 
Crawford,  John  Connors,  William  Row,  Joseph  Evans, 
William  Gander,  Frank  Johnson,  Thomas  Moriarity,  Jeff 
Thornton,  Owen  Murray,  Andrew  McKenna,  H.  S.  Rasser,’ 
Frederick  Powell,  D.  C.  Jones,  L.  D.  Gillian,  D.  S.  Richards, 
James  Parks,  John  J.  Mossop,  Edw.  Branfield,  Jos.  Davis, 
T.  L.  Lewis,  Edward  Thomas,,  Jacob  Pojuski,  Robert  War- 
dle,  James  0.  Rodgers,  W.  C.  Pearce,  John  Keller,  Briarly 
Bennett,  W.  E.  Farms. 

Pennsylvania — Patrick  Dolan  and  William  Warner,  Peter 
Sample,  John  Rae,  Charles  Laird,  Henry  Walter,  eight  mines 
on  Monongahela;  John  S.  Hamilton,  W.  S.  Miller,  Ed  S. 
Thomas  Wm.  George,  Thomas  Cataway,  Paul  Trimmer, 
Frank  McKenna,  Jacob  Affalter,  Thomas  Kinnej^  at  large; 
Jeremiah  Lavanche,  W.  H.  Hindsmarsh,  John  Driscol,  D.  C. 
Blose,  Sanday,  Turtle  and  Plum  Creek. 

Illinois — ^W.  Russell,  Felix  Radgewell,  William  Topham, 


Special  National  Convention 


471 


Joseph  Pope,  Thomas  Gallagher,  W.  D.  Ryan,  Thomas  Baker, 
Thomas  McBride,  James  S.  Richards,  George  D.  Miller,  Alex- 
ander Bradley,  Alfred  Klang,  W.  E.  Smith,  Martin  Bolt, 
James  M.  Page,  Matthew  Charlton,  John  Belger,  Robert 
Douglas,  James  M.  Cuson,  John  Pepinhouse,  Alexander  Brad- 
ley, P.  J.  Kosnan,  John  B.  Milburn. 

West  Virginia — William  Phelps,  I.  N.  Coffman,  C.  H. 
Jones,  S.  L.  B.  Clair,  Andrew  Watkins,  M.  Jennings,  John  S. 
Flynn,  J.  W.  Satterfield,  J,  W.  Rea,  William  Anderson,  John 
Muir,  John  W.  Hindmarsh,  Patrick  Comer,  H.  Stevenson, 
R.  Askew,  Alex.  Wayth,  J.  H.  Burris,  M.  V.  White,  F.  A. 
Banister,  Clarence  Bracken,  T.  H.  Carlin,  Frank  McDonald, 
Fred  Dilcher,  George  Robinson,  Chris.  Evans,  James  Whitney, 
Montgomery. 

Motion,  That  the  report  be  received  and  committee  re- 
tained. Carried. 

Your  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  to  govern 
this  special  national  convention  beg  leave  to  offer  the  follow- 
ing report: 

1.  Convention  shall  meet  at  8 a.  m.  and  adjourn  at  12 
noon;  convene  at  1 :30  p.  m.  and  adjourn  at  6 p.  m. 

2.  Roll  call  of  delegates. 

3.  Each  delegate  shall  have  one  vote  for  100  members  or 
less,  and  an  additional  vote  for  each  100  members  or  majority 
fraction  thereof. 

4.  Each  delegate  be  limited  to  10  minutes  on  any  one  sub- 
ject, and  no  delegate  be  allowed  to  speak  twice  until  all  have 
been  heard  who  wish  to  speak. 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 

1.  Report  of  officers. 

2.  Report  of  delegates. 

3.  Report  of  the  committee  on  resolutions. 

4.  Miscellaneous  business. 

5.  Cushing’s  Manual  shall  govern  the  rules  of  this  con- 
vention. 

Motion,  That  we  adopt  the  report  of  the  committee  as 
read.  After  discussion  as  regards  representation,  it  was 
adopted,  Dan  Llewellyn  voting  no. 

Motion,  That  we  go  into  executive  session  to  hear  reports 
of  officers.  Carried. 


472 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Ratchford,  Knight,  Carson,  Farms  and  Dolan  made  re- 
ports. 

The  hour  for  adjournment  having  arrived.  President 
Ratchford,  before  declaring  the  meeting  adjourned,  appointed 
the  following : 

Committee  on  Resolutions — William  Warner,  Pennsylva- 
nia; G.  C.  Wedding,  Indiana;  Martin  Bolt,  Illinois;  Andrew 
Watkins,  West  Virginia,  and  Dennis  Sullivan,  Ohio. 

Adjourned  until  8 a.  m.  Thursday. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

The  morning  session  opened  with  Ratchford  in  the  chair 
and  Pearce  at  his  desk.  Roll  called  and  absentees  noted.  The 
committee  on  credentials  went  in  session  and  further  cor- 
rected its  report.  Committee  made  its  report  in  full,  which 
was  adopted. 

The  report  of  officers  was  then  continued,  and  Dilcher, 
Davis,  Kennedy  and  Stephenson  addressed  the  convention. 
On  motion  that  organizers  J.  W.  Rea,  of  the  Painters  and 
Decorators;  Robert  Askew,  secretary  of  Northern  Mineral 
Mine  Workers’  Association,  and  Chris.  Evans,  of  the  Ameri- 
can Federation  of  Labor,  all  of  whom  have  been  in  the  West 
Virginia  fields  almost  from  the  inception  of  the  strike,  be 
requested  to  address  the  convention,  which  they  did  in  the 
order  named.  The  noon  hour  having  arrived,  the  convention 
recessed  until  1 :30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Ratchford  in  the  chair. 

The  first  business,  he  said,  was  an  expression  from  the 
delegates  on  the  situation  in  their  respective  localities,  to- 
gether with  the  views  of  the  constituents  they  represented. 

On  the  roll  being  called,  each  delegate  responded  with  a 
brief  statement  of  instructions  given,  the  result  of  which 
showed  that  the  greater  number  of  delegates  were  given  dis- 
cretionary power  in  order  that  they  may  act  in  accordance 
with  their  best  judgment  after  learning  the  situation  of 
affairs  throughout  the  various  coal  fields  involved. 

John  Driscoll  and  W.  D.  Ryan  were  added  to  the  commit- 
tee appointed  on  resolutions,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 


M.  D.  RATCHFORD,  FOURTH  PRESIDENT,  1897,  1898. 


474 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


FRIDAY  MORNING. 

Ratchford  in  the  chair  and  Pearce  at  the  desk.  Roll  called 
and  absentees  noted. 

Motion,  That  a press  committee  of  three  be  appointed  by 
the  chair  to  give  out  any  news  there  may  be  for  the  public. 
Carried. 

The  committee  appointed  consisted  of  Chris.  Evans,  J.  H. 
Kennedy  and  William  Warner. 

Continued  report  of  committee  on  resolutions  that  were 
adopted.  That  the  secretary  furnish  mopey  to  those  needing 
it  to  enable  them  to  remain  until  final  adjournment,  the  same 
to  be  considered  a loan  until  returned.  That  the  vote  be  taken 
at  8:30  tomorrow  morning. 

Moved,  To  adjourn  until  8 a.  m.  tomorrow.  Carried. 

SATURDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

President  Ratchford  in  the  chair.  First  order  of  busi- 
ness: Further  consideration  of  the  report  of  committee  on 

resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  miners  of  Pennsylvania,  West  Vir- 
ginia, Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  in  convention  assembled,  do 
hereby  agree  to  accept  the  proposition  recommended  by  our 
national  executive  committee,  viz. : 65  cents  in  Pittsburg  dis- 
trict, all  places  in  above  named  states  where  a relative  price 
can  be  obtained  to  resume  work  and  contribute  liberally  to 
the  miners  who  do  not  receive  the  advance,  where  the  fight 
must  be  continued  to  a finish. 

Resolved,  That  the  national  officers,  executive  board  and 
district  presidents  act  as  an  advisory  board  for  the  purpose 
of  providing  ways  and  means  for  the  carrying  on  of  the  strike 
where  necessary.  Provided,  however,  that  no  district  resume 
work  for  10  days,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  miners  in  other 
districts  time  to  confer  with  their  operators  and  get  the  price 
if  possible. 

At  this  juncture  a committee  of  three  was  appointed  to 
draw  up  resolutions  on  the  death  of  Brother  Kane. 

The  chair  appointed  T.  W.  Davis,  J.  H.  Kennedy  and 
H.  Stephenson. 

After  considerable  discussion,  a vote  by  roll  call  was 
taken,  which  resulted  as  follows : Total  number  of  votes,  824 ; 


Special  National  Convention 


475 


in  favor  of  resolution,  407 ; against  the  resolution,  415 ; not 
voting,  2;  majority  against,  8. 

A point  of  order  was  raised  as  to  the  right  of  a delegate 
to  change  his  vote  or  after  refusing  to  vote,  when  roll  call 
was  in  progress,  voting  after  the  call  was  completed. 

The  chair  ruled  that  a delegate  could  change  his  vote,  or, 
if  he  had  refused  to  vote  when  the  roll  call  was  in  progress, 
could  have  his  vote  changed  or  recorded  before  the  vote  was 
announced.  An  appeal  was  taken  from  the  decision  of  the 
chair  to  the  convention,  resulting  in  sustaining  the  ruling  of 
the  chair. 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

President  Ratchford  in  the  chair. 

Motion,  That  we  reconsider  the  resolution  passed  before 
the  noon  adjournment.  Carried. 

During  the  afternoon.  General  Master  Workman  Sover- 
eign, of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  who  had  come  into  the  conven- 
tion hall,  was  requested  to  address  the  delegates,  which  he  did 
in  brief  but  eloquent,  earnest  manner,  giving  good  advice  and 
urging  unity  of  action. 

After  further  discussion,  a vote  was  taken,  which  resulted 
as  follows : In  favor  of  the  resolution,  495 ; against  the  reso- 
lution, 317;  declined  to  vote,  11;  majority  in  favor,  178. 

Paul  Trimmer  and  Thomas  Kinney  explained  and  desired 
to  be  recorded  as  voting  for  the  resolution,  because  of  the 
statements  made  that  the  machine  question  would  be  arbi- 
trated in  the  near  future. 

Moved,  That  we  extend  the  session  until  6 :30  p.  m. 
Carried. 

Moved,  That  the  resolution  be  referred  to  the  executive 
board  for  completion. 

Whereas,  On  the  10th  day  of  September,  1897,  the  sheriff  of 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  his  deputies,  deliberately 
shot  down  a number  of  innocent  miners  who  were  peaceably 
marching  for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  induce  their  fellow 
workingmen  who  had  refused  to  lay  down  their  tools  and  de- 
mand a living  rate  of  wages ; and. 

Whereas,  Without  the  least  provocation,  said  sheriff  gave 
the  order  to  fire,  killing,  wounding  and  maiming  many ; and. 


476 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Whereas,  We  believe  the  same  to  have  been  a deliberate 
murder  on  the  part  of  the  said  sheriff ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  denounce  the  said  Sheriff  Martin  as  a 
deliberate  murderer  and  wholly  unfit  to  fill  the  position  to 
which  he  was  elected  by  the  votes  of  honest  workingmen;  be 
it  further 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
extend  to  the  bereaved  ones,  which  includes  mothers,  fathers, 
brothers,  sisters  and  other  kindred  relatives,  our  heartfelt 
sympathy  in  the  loss  of  their  loved  ones. 

Carried. 

Resolution  pertaining  to  machine  mining  in  the  Pittsburg 
district.  Moved,  that  the  resolution  be  referred  to  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Board.  Carried. 

We,  the  officers,  members  and  representatives  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  convention  assembled, 
recognize  the  fact  that  our  success  in  the  present  struggle  is 
due  largely  upon  the  moral  and  financial  help  tendered  us  by 
others ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  our  thanks  are  due  and  are  hereby  ex- 
tended to  the  various  trade  unions  and  their  representatives 
who  have  taken  the  field  in  our  behalf,  and  also  to  the  gener- 
ous public  who  so  nobly  responded  to  our  appeal  in  the  time 
of  need. 

Carried. 

Resolved,  That  an  assessment  of  10  per  cent  of  all  moneys 
earned  by  the  miners  at  work  be  collected  and  used  for  the 
purpose  of  maintaining  the  miners  idle  until  such  time  as 
scale  rate  can  be  obtained  for  them ; and  it  is  further 

Resolved,  That  a circular  appeal  be  issued  by  the  National 
Executive  Board  to  organized  labor  and  to  the  public  gen- 
erally, asking  them  to  assist  us  in  the  caring  and  keeping  of 
all  mine  workers  in  the  field  who  are  idle  for  the  enforcement 
of  scale  rates,  all  moneys  and  provisions  to  be  sent  to  Secre- 
tary Pearce  and  distributed  pro  rata  to  the  miners  on  strike 
from  the  national  office. 

Carried. 

Report  of  committee  on  condolence: 

We,  your  committee  to  prepare  appropriate  resolutions 
upon  the  death  of  Vice-President  John  Kane,  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers’  Association,  desire  to  say  that  we  recognize 
our  inability  to  properly  express  our  sentiments  of  sorrow  and 


Special  National  Convention,  1897 


477 


regret  at  the  death  of  one  whom  we  honored  and  respected 
for  his  sterling  honesty  as  a man,  for  his  irreproachable  con- 
duct as  a member  of  our  national  executive  board,  as  editor 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal,  and  lately  as  the  Vice- 
President  of  our  association,  and  we  desire  to  say  that  in  all 
these  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  he  was  always 
found  doing  his  duty  as  he  saw  it  and  with  the  single  object 
of  benefiting  and  advancing  the  cause  of  his  craftsmen  in  par- 
ticular, the  cause  of  labor  generally,  and  the  universal  eleva- 
tion of  humanity. 

While  the  late  lamented  Brother  John  Kane  devoted  much 
of- his  time  and  attention  to  the  advancement  of  his  crafts- 
men, he  was  fearless  in  his  advocacy  of  our  cause,  where  his 
reason  and  judgment  confirmed  his  idea  of  right  and  truth, 
the  cause  of  the  poor  and  oppressed  of  all  classes  found  in 
him  a sympathizer,  a friend  and  defender,  who  never  faltered 
nor  deviated  one  iota  from  the  plain  path  of  rectitude  and 
duty,  therefore  it  is  fitting  and  proper  that  we,  his  fellow 
craftsmen,  who  knew  his  life  and  services,  and  his  worth  as 
a man  and  official  and  appreciated  the  same,  do  take  this 
opportunity,  the  first  time  we  have  met  in  national  conven- 
tion since  his  demise,  to  give  our  collective  expression  to  our 
feelings ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  while  we  bow  in  humble  submission  to  the 
will  of  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  who  we  are 
taught  to  believe  does  all  things  well  and  for  the  best,  we 
acknowledge  our  loss  as  a craft,  our  heartfelt  regret  at  the 
sudden  demise  of  an  upright  man  and  a loved  official  of  our 
organization,  cut  off  in  the  bloom  of  his  life  and  before  the 
existence  which  gave  promise  of  so  much  good  to  humanity 
had  reached  full  maturity;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  to  the  invalid  wife,  who  was  de- 
prived of  a loving  husband  and  a kind  helpmate,  a friend, 
companion,  counselor,  nurse  and  guide  all  at  once,  at  a time 
when  she  was  unable  to  take  care  or  provide  for  herself,  our 
sympathy  in  these  days  of  sad  affliction.  And  we  also  extend 
the  same  sympathy  to  other  afflicted  members  of  our  de- 
ceased brother’s  family.  And  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  become  a part 
of  the  official  record  of  this  convention,  and  that  a copy  be 
sent  to  the  bereaved  wife  and  relatives,  and  be  published  in 
the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal. 

T.  W.  Davis, 

H.  Stephenson, 

J.  H.  Kennedy. 


478 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Moved,  That  the  report  be  accepted  and  an  engrossed  copy 
be  presented  to  the  family.  Carried  by  a rising  vote. 

Moved,  That  a vote  of  thanks  and  confidence  be  extended 
to  the  executive  board.  Carried. 

Moved,  That  a vote  of  thanks  be  extended  to  the  Sergeant 
at  Arms,  I.  N.  Coleman.  Carried. 

Resolved,  That  while  the  miners  are  not  parties  to  the 
uniformity  agreement  now  being  executed  in  the  Pittsburg 
district,  and  are  not  therefore  bound  by  any  provision  thereof, 
but  left  free  at  all  times  to  suggest  such  modifications  affect- 
ing their  interests  as  to  them  may  seem  proper;  never- 
theless, they  view  it  in  its  entirety  as  a most  important  and 
beneficent  measure,  sure  to  result,  if  adopted,  in  great  and 
lasting  benefit  to  them  as  well  as  to  their  employers. 

Resolved,  That  they  have  watched  with  deep  interest  the 
progress  of  its  development  and  execution,  and  hereby  tender 
their  thanks  to  those  operators  who  have  been  instrumental 
in  putting  it  forward  as  well  as  to  all  signers  thereof. 

Resolved,  That  the  miners  will  exert  individually  and  in 
their  organized  capacity  every  proper  influence  and  power 
they  possess  to  consummate  its  execution  and  to  extend  its 
principles  in  other  bituminous  fields. 

Resolved,  That,  As  this  measure  is  by  its  terms  to  be  oper- 
ative only  till  1899,  and  then  be  subject  to  renewal  with  such 
modifications  as  experience  may  dictate,  and  as  it  is  already 
well  under  way,  fault  finding  at  this  time  is  inopportune ; that 
there  must  be  individual  concession  to  reach  a general  agree- 
ment in  which  all  can  unite,  and  that  we  appeal  to  all  opera- 
tors who  have  not  yet  signed  the  agreement  to  waive  any 
objection  they  may  have  thereto  and  give  it  their  support. 

Resolved,  That  the  present  is  an  auspicious  time  for  miners 
and  operators  to  unite  throughout  the  bituminous  fields  in 
putting  the  coal  industry  upon  a more  stable,  secure  and  re- 
munerative footing  both  as  respects  operators  and  miners  and 
at  the  same  time  do  no  injustice  to  consumers,  and  we  declare 
ourselves  ready  to  unite  in  taking  any  reasonable  steps  to 
bring  about  that  condition  among  which  steps  we  rank  in  ‘uni- 
formity’ as  the  chief. 

Adopted. 

Convention  adjourned  sine  die. 


JOHN  KANE,  EDITOR  JOURNAL,  1891,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6. 
VICE-PRESIDENT  JANUARY  TO  JULY,  1897. 


NATIONAL  EXECUTIVE  BOARD,  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA,  1897. 

StnrullnK  i'm'iI  IHli^hor,  W.  C.  I’wirci*,  Soorotary:  K.  Ti.  Davln. 

HlttiiiK-  PntrlrU  !>o)aii.  Jo)m  Knm*,  V Ico- f*roHl<lon t ; M.  I).  Ka toliittiil.  l‘roHUii*nl:  ,T.  U.  K»*ninHly. 
'Pwr*  M<iiry  H I « •tiRon  niwl  .1.  M.  (TiirHon.  I'liiliMl  lo  nft«'u«l  fhiM  •‘XpoMijro. 


Special  Indiana  Convention,  1897 


481 


SPECIAL  CONVENTION  OF  INDIANA  MINERS,  TERRE 
HAUTE,  INDIANA. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  on  Thursday  afternoon, 
September  16,  1897,  at  1 o’clock  p.  m..  President  W.  G. 
Knight  in  the  chair.  J.  H.  Kennedy,  secretary. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed : 

Credentials — J.  E.  Pipes,  E.  G.  Lewis  and  Pat  Morgan. 

Order  of  Business — John  Henry,  John  Mooney  and  Dan 
Llewellyn. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  dele- 
gates entitled  to  seats : 

William  O’Connor,  G.  C.  Chesterfield,  William  Tipton,  W. 
A.  Stone,  H.  Hargraves,  P.  Morgan,  J.  Neusket,  Sr.,  William 
Blakely,  W.  M.  Nellings,  Ed.  G.  Lewis,  J.  G.  James,  Henry 
Mathias,  R.  S.  Mann,  J.  Cherry,  David  Pierce,  A.  Hasten,  W. 
D.  Van  Horn,  J.  E.  Pipes,  William  Thomas,  D.  G.  Sims,  T.  P. 
Lewis,  James  Harkins,  Sylvester  Johnson,  Dan  Llewellyn, 
John  Henly,  M.  Thralls,  James  Burt,  John  Mooney,  James 
Penman,  William  Lindsey,  William  Aiken,  J.  Nills. 

President  Knight  then  announced  that  some  delegates 
from  Grape  Creek,  Illinois,  would  be  with  us  and  that  he  had 
promised  them  a welcome. 

Moved,  To  adopt  the  report  of  the  committee  on  creden- 
tials. Carried. 

The  committee  on  order  of  business  reported  as  follows : 
Hours  of  meeting  shall  be  from  8:30  a.  m.  until  12  m.,  and 
from  1 :30  p.  m.  until  5 p.  m. 

First — Report  of  officers. 

Second — Report  of  delegates. 

Third — No  delegate  to  talk  longer  than  five  minutes  on  one 
subject  without  permission  from  the  convention. 

Committee’s  report  as  amended  adopted. 

President  Knight  explained  that  the  object  of  the  conven- 
tion was  to  try  to  bring  about  a settlement  of  the  price  ques- 
tion for  Indiana  on  the  lines  of  the  Columbus  convention. 

The  report  of  delegates  showed  they  were  not  instructed 
on  the  price  question.  A few  were  instructed  on  other  mat- 
ters. particularly  on  the  question  of  cards.  A motion  was 
made  that  no  man  be  allowed  to  work  unless  he  is  the  bearer 


482 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


of  a card,  or  can  show  good  and  reasonable  cause  why  he  is 
without  one.  President  Knight  then  introduced  Brothers 
Russell  and  Scratcher  of  Danville,  Illinois,  who  said  they 
came  to  learn  the  facts  as  they  exist,  so  that  they  will  no 
longer  work  at  prices  that  will  be  detrimental  to  the  Indiana 
miners. 

Moved,  To  extend  to  the  Danville  delegates  a hearty  wel- 
come. Carried. 

The  following  were  appointed  a committee  on  resolutions : 
William  Blakely,  James  Harkins  and  John  Mooney. 

As  there  were  no  operators  in  town  representing  the  block 
coal  industry,  quite  a discussion  arose  about  the  scale  com- 
mittee. 

President  Knight  appointed  the  following  committee  on 
scale:  Dan  Llewellyn,  Harry  Hargrove,  W.  D.  Van  Horn,  E. 
G.  Lewis  and  David  Pearce.  The  president  and  secretary 
were  added  to  the  committee. 

As  the  operators  had  signified  a willingness  to  meet  us, 
it  was  agreed  that  the  committee  meet  the  operators  at  7 :30 
p.  m.  at  the  Terre  Haute  House. 

The  hour  for  adjournment  having  arrived  the  convention 
adjourned. 

The  scale  committee  met  the  operators  at  7 :30  p.  m.  and 
discussed  the  price  question  until  10  o’clock  without  arriving 
at  anything  definite.  Our  operators  offered  to  make  an 
agreement  with  us  to  pay  the  56  cents  per  ton,  provided 
Grape  Creek  would  pay  37  cents  per  ton  gross  weight.  This 
would  subject  us  to  a change  in  price  any  and  every  time  a 
change  was  made  in  Grape  Creek.  Our  proposition  was  to 
mine  coal  until  January  1,  1898,  at  56  cents  per  ton,  regard- 
less of  any  other  field. 

FRIDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

Called  to  order  by  President  Knight  at  8:40  a.  m.,  Ken- 
nedy at  the  desk. 

Moved,  We  accept  no  settlement  that  does  not  apply 
equally  to  all  sections  of  the  state.  Carried. 

That  the  scale  committee  meet  our  operators  again  and 
offer  to  settle  at  56  cents  without  any  other  conditions.  Car-^ 
ried. 


Special  Indiana  Convention,  1897 


483 


The  committee  at  10  a.  m.  met  the  operators  again  at 
the  Terre  Haute  House,  but  failed  to  get  any  further  offers 
from  them.  The  question  was  discussed  for  two  hours  on  the 
same  lines  as  the  night  before. 

FRIDAY  AFTERNOON. 

President  Knight  called  the  convention  to  order  at  1 
o’clock,  and  reported  that  the  committee  had  been  unable  to 
change  the  operators’  position. 

At  2 :30  p.  m.  the  committee  again  met  the  operators  and 
informed  them  that  we  could  not  accept  their  proposition,  and 
asked  for  a postponement  of  a settlement  until  we  heard 
further  from  Illinois.  After  some  discussion  this  was  agreed 
to,  and  the  scale  committees  of  operators  and  miners  will  meet 
on  Wednesday,  September  22,  at  4:30  p.  m.,  and  those  at 
work  will  be  at  liberty  to  continue  until  ordered  otherwise 
by  the  scale  committee. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  submitted  the  following : 

Resolution  No.  1.  Adopted. 

Resolution  No.  2.  Not  concurred  in. 

Resolutions  Nos.  3,  5.  6.  Adopted.  (See  page  484.) 

Resolution  No.  7.  Referred  to  sub-district  3. 

Brother  Dan  O’Leary,  Andrew  Hasten,  William  Cherry, 
Alex.  Lawson,  Kenneth  Davis,  and  William  Aiken,  were  nom- 
inated for  members  of  the  board  on  affiliation  with  Illinois. 
After  several  ballots  Brother  William  Cherry  of  Fontanet 
was  elected. 

Moved  and  seconded.  We  stand  by  the  10-cent  levy  of  the 
Columbus  convention  and  that  it  be  sent  to  Grape  Creek  if 
necessary.  Carried. 

Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  resolution. 

Whereas,  We,  as  American  citizens,  are  by  the  constitu- 
tion guaranteed  the  right  to  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of 
happiness,  and  as  such  citizens  claim  the  right  of  free  speech 
and  peaceable  assemblage ; and 

Whereas,  The  courts  have  by  the  issuance  of  blanket  in- 
junctions ignored  our  right  to  such  free  speech  and  peaceable 
assemblage ; be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
of  District  11,  in  convention  assembled,  do  condemn  govern- 
ment by  injunction ; and  be  it  further 


484 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


Resolved,  That  we  condemn  and  brand  as  murder  the  un- 
warranted and  unjustifiable  shooting  of  the  miners  of  Hazle- 
ton, Pa.,  while  walking  the  public  highway  of  that  common- 
wealth ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  miners  of  Indiana,  make  a levy  of 
25  cents  per  man  to  aid  in  the  prosecution  of  Sheriff  Martin 
and  his  deputies,  said  money  to  be  forwarded  to  the  state 
secretary,  who  will  send  it  to  the  proper  parties. 

Committee’s  report  concurred  in. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  miners  of  District  11,  refuse  to 
work  with  any  man  who  cannot  bring  a clear  union  card,  or 
who  cannot  prove  beyond  a reasonable  doubt  that  he  has  been 
idle  and  fighting  for  a fair  wage  during  the  suspension  just 
ended ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  condemn  the  action  of  all  so-called 
union  men  who  have  been  working  during  the  suspension,  pro- 
ducing coal  to  supply  the  market,  thereby  showing  themselves 
to  be  foes  to  union  labor. 

Report  of  the  committee  concurred  in. 

Resolved,  That  we  indorse  the  action  taken  by  the  last 
annual  convention  looking  to  a closer  affiliation  between  Indi- 
ana and  Illinois,  and  recom.mend  that  this  convention  take 
such  steps  as  will  put  the  joint  board  elected  at  that  conven- 
tion to  work  with  the  purpose  of  perfecting  that  affiliation 
as  soon  as  possible. 

The  committee  favor  the  adoption  of  the  above  resolu- 
tion. Concurred  in. 

Whereas,  T.  G.  Morgan,  a member  of  the  joint  board  to 
perfect  a closer  affiliation  with  Indiana  and  Illinois,  is  an 
operator,  and 

Whereas,  We  believe  a coal  operator  should  have  no  place 
on  this  board,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  declare  a vacancy  on  said 
board  and  proceed  to  elect  a member  of  the  board  to  fill  the 
place  of  T.  G.  Morgan. 

The  committee  favor  the  adoption  of  this  resolution.  Con- 
curred in. 

Whereas,  Sub-district  No.  3 has  not  done  us  as  miners  any 
good,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  do  away  with  it,  and  the 
whole  organization  be  known  as  District  11. 


West  Virginia  Local  Joint  Agreement 


485 


Referred  to  Sub-district  3.  Committee : William  Blakely, 
John  Mooney,  James  Harkins. 

Moved  we  adjourn  sine  die.  Carried. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  H.  Kennedy. 

The  following  report  from  the  special  convention  of  Illi- 
nois miners,  which  was  called  to  meet  at  Springfield  on  Mon- 
day, September  20,  was  wired  to  National  Secretary  Pearce 
by  State  Secretary  Ryan  on  Tuesday  afternoon  and  is  self- 
explanatory  ; 

Springfield,  Illinois,  September  21,  1897. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Esq.,  Columbus,  Ohio ; 

Mine  run  scale  adopted.  Based  on  65  cents  without  con- 
tract. Miners  resume  work  where  operators  concede.  Will 
continue  to  fight  where  refused. 

W.  D.  Ryan. 

WEST  VIRGINIA  JOINT  AGREEMENT. 

At  a meeting  of  a committee  of  the  miners  composed  of 
Local  Union  No.  158  (and  George  Robinson,  district  presi- 
dent), of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  employes  of 
the  Riverside  Coal  Company,  and  J.  R.  Thomas,  president  of 
said  company,  held  October  21,  1897,  the  following  was  agreed 
to: 


First — That  2 14,  cents  per  bushel  for  coal  over  a 1 1/2-inch 
screen,  with  a corresponding  advance  for  yardage,  and  day 
labor  shall  be  paid  until  January  1,  1898. 

Second — Pay  day  shall  occur  the  first  Saturday  after  the 
10th  of  each  month. 

Third — No  one  shall  be  discharged  for  failure  to  buy 
goods  from  company  stores. 

Fourth — No  one  to  be  discharged  for  participating  in  the 
present  strike. 

Fifth — All  difficulties  are  to  be  adjusted  as  prescribed  in 
the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  United  Mine  Workers’ 
organization. 

Sixth — A checkweighman  is  to  be  allowed  and  paid  by  the 
miners.  Collections  to  be  made  m a manner  agreed  on  by  the 
company,  and  dues  to  the  organization  to  be  collected  through 
and  by  the  checkweighman  from  all  the  employes  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Seventh — While  the  company  agree  not  to  interfere  with 


486 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


any  miner  becoming  a member  of  the  organization,  they  re- 
sume the  right  to  employ  non-union  men,  who  shall  not  be 
discriminated  for  or  against  or  treated  discourteously  by  any 
employes  of  the  company,  nor  will  the  company  countenance 
discourteous  treatment  by  a non-union  miner  to  a union  miner. 

Eighth — All  miners  occupying  company’s  houses  are  to 
pay  75  cents  per  month  for  coal  at  the  tipple,  shanty  men  25 
cents  per  month. 

Ninth — Each  miner  is  to  pay  5 cents  per  hundred  bushels 
for  smithing. 

Signed  by  committee  of  miners. 

Henry  Stephenson,  Member  Executive  Board, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

William  Anderson,  E.  J.  Myers,  Z.  B.  Loudermilk,  Wesley, 
Wright,  John  Finigan. 

Signed  by  the  company: 

J.  R.  Thomas, 

President  Riverside  Coal  Company. 


WAGE  SCALE,  1892-1897. 


At  a meeting  of  a committee  of  miners  and  operators  held 
in  Pittsburg,  September  20th  and  21st,  1897,  it  was  agreed 
that  we  adopt  the  rates  of  day  and  dead  work  of  1892,  based 
upon  the  seventy-nine  cent  rate  of  mining,  and  to  rise  and 
fall  in  proportion  to  the  wages  paid  per  ton  for  mining ; and 
the  following  schedule  will  show  the  prices  of  day  and  dead 
work  to  be  paid  under  the  several  mining  prices : 


Mining 

When  price  of  1%  inch  coal  is $0.65 

Then  price  of  Run  of  Mine  coal  is -.39 

Clay  veins  6 indies  and  less  than  12  inches 1.65 

Anything  over  12  indies  at  the  rate  per  foot 1.65 

Where  clay  veins  run  at  an  angle  across  the  room  or  entry  there 

shall  he  paid  while  it  continues,  per  yard .41 

Anything  6 inches  or  less  shall  be  considered  a spar,  for  which 

shall  he  paid .S2 

And  when  the  sjiar  runs  at  an  angle  there  shall  be  paid  additional 

per  yard  .21 

Room  turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  7 yards 2.06 

Entry  work,  for  two  men,  per  yard .82 

Entry  work,  for  two  additional  men,  per  yard 1.03 

Entry  work,  for  three  shifts,  per  yard 1.24 

For  12  feet  places  former  price  to  be  jiaid. 

Break-throughs,  per  yard .41 

But  where  slate  is  taken  down  and  moved  entry  price  to  he  paid. 
Ripping  roof,  digging  drain,  thick  slate  and  all  other  dead  work 
not  mentioned  in  this  scale,  to  be  left  to  miners  and  mine 
boss. 


Prices. 

.$0.79 

2.00 

2.00 

.50 

1.00 

.25 

2.50 
1.00 
1.25 

1.50 

.50 


Pittsburg  Wage  Scale,  1892-1897  487 


Pick  sharpening  to  be  on  the  dollar .0103  114 

Drivers’  wages,  minimum  per  day 1.65  2.00 

Drivers’  wages,  maximum  per  day 1.85  2.25 


Exeepting  in  such  cases  where  owing  to  excejjtional  difficulties 

a higher  price  may  be  paid. 

The  prices  for  room  turning  and  narrow  work  to  be  as 
follows : 

For  Harrison  machines : 

The  price  for  undercutting  to  be  one-fifth  and  loading  one- 
half  the  price  of  pick  mining. 

Room  turning  shall  be  $2.39,  of  which  the  cutter  is  to  re- 
ceive $1.02,  and  the  loader  $1.37. 

Entry  work  shall  be  58  cents  per  yard  in  addition  to  the 
regular  price  for  cutting  and  loading  in  rooms,  of  which  the 
cutter  is  to  receive  17  cents  per  yard,  and  the  loader  41  cents 
per  yard. 

When  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work,  the  cutter  to  receive 
51/2  cents  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  cutting  in  rooms, 
making  18i/^  cents  per  ton;  the  loader  to  receive  I314  cents 
per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  loading  in  rooms, 
making  45%  cents  per  ton. 

Break-throughs  shall  be,  per  yard,  42  cents,  but  where 
they  are  driven  entry  width  and  slate  taken  down,  the  price 
for  driving  entry  shall  be  paid. 

Jeffrey  machine  or  Chain  machine : 

The  price  for  undercutting  to  be  one-eighth  and  loading 
one-half  the  price  of  pick  mining. 

Room  turning  shall  be  $2.03,  of  which  the  cutter  is  to  re- 
ceive 66  cents,  and  the  loader  $1.37. 

Entry  work  shall  be  52  cents  per  yard  in  addition  to  the 
regular  price  for  cutting  and  loading  in  rooms,  of  which  the 
cutter  is  to  receive  11%  cents,  and  the  loader  40%  cents  per 
yard. 

Where  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work,  the  cutter  to  receive 
3 cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  cutting  in 
rooms,  making  11%  cents  per  ton;  the  loader  to  receive  13% 
cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  loading  in 
rooms,  making  45%  cents  per  ton. 

Break-throughs  shall  be,  per  yard,  42  cents;  but  where 
they  are  driven  entry  width  and  slate  taken  down,  the  price 
for  driving  entry  shall  be  paid. 

For  cutting  clay  veins,  spars,  etc.,  by  Harrison  machine, 
the  price  to  be  30  per  cent  less  than  by  pick;  Jeffrey  machine, 
37  per  cent  less  than  by  pick,  to  be  divided  between  cutter 
and  loader  in  the  same  relative  proportion  as  is  paid  for  room 
work. 

Resolved,  That  the  65-cent  rate  per  ton  as  agreed  upon  at 
Columbus,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  confirmed  and  adopted  as 


488 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  price  to  be  paid  for  all  coal  screened  over  1%-inch  screen 
for  pick  mining  in  the  thin  vein  coal  mines  in  the  Pittsburg 
district. 

Resolved,  That  from  the  best  data  at  command,  60  per 
cent  of  run  of  mine  coal  has  been  1%-inch  coal;  and  taking 
that  as  a basis  of  ratio,  and  maintaining  the  same,  the  price 
of  run  of  mine  coal  so  based  shall  be  39  cents  per  ton,  which 
shall  continue  until  January  1,  1898,  or  until  changed  by  the 
joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators  in  December,  and 
it  is  recommended  that  each  pick  operator  of  the  thin  vein 
keep  a correct  account  of  all  coal  produced  between  this  time 
and  December  1st,  so  that  a ratio  can  be  more  intelligently 
arrived  at  for  future  determination. 

Based  upon  this  39  cents  per  ton  for  run  of  mine  coal 
mined  with  the  pick,  the  price  for  Harrison  machine  will  be 
for  the  cutter,  7 8-10  cents  per  ton,  and  for  the  loader  19^2 
cents  per  ton. 

Where  paid  by  the  ton  for  entry  work  on  run  of  mine 
basis,  the  cutter  to  receive  3 3-10  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to 
regular  price  for  cutting  in  rooms,  making  11  1-10  cents  per 
ton;  the  loader  to  receive  7 95-100  cents  per  ton  in  addition 
to  the  regular  price  for  loading  in  rooms,  making  27  45-100 
cents  per  ton. 

For  Jeffrey  machine: 

The  price  for  run  of  mine  coal  will  be,  for  the  cutter 
.0487,  and  for  the  loader  I91/2  cents  per  ton. 

Where  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work,  the  cutter  to  receive 
.018  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  cutting 
in  rooms,  making  .0667  cents  per  ton;  the  loader  to  receive 
.0795  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  loading 
in  rooms,  making  27  45-100  cents  per  ton. 

For  12  ft.  places,  the  price  to  be  arranged  between  the 
mine  boss  and  miners,  and  the  question  to  be  brought  before 
the  December  convention  of  miners  and  operators  for  final 
adjustment. 

The  manner  of  arranging  drivers’  wages  was  left  as  be- 
fore, for  the  reason  that  there  could  be  no  other  result  reached 
which  would  be  satisfactorj-  to  both  parties. 

Signed  for  Miners : Signed  for  Operators : 


Wm.  Warner, 


John  O’Neal, 

Peter  McLaughlin, 


Richard  Maize, 
James  Yeardley, 


J.  B.  Zerbe, 

Geo.  W.  Schluederberg, 
F.  M.  Osborne, 
Alexander  Dempster, 
Wm.  Be  adding. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


REPORT  OF  JOINT  COMMITTEE 

REPRESENTING  THE  MINERS  OF  THE  ROCHESTER  COAL  & IRON 
COMPANY,  AND  JEFFERSONVILLE  AND  CLEARFIELD  COAL 
AND  IRON  COMPANY. 

DuBois,  Pa.,  September  23,  1897. 
Your  joint  committee,  representing  each  mine  in  this 
region,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report : 

We  went  to  the  Pittsburg  region  and  made  a thorough  in- 
vestigation of  what  has  been  paid  for  months  past,  and,  more 
especially,  what  will  actually  be  paid  on  the  present  settle- 
ment in  that  region. 

We  found  that  the  prices  which  have  been  paid  in  the  Pitts- 
burg region,  so  far  as  the  past  is  concerned,  have  been  less 
than  we  have  been  receiving  in  this  region,  and  we  hereby 
frankly  admit  this  as  the  true  condition. 

We  find  that  the  price  which  will  now  be  paid  under  the 
settlement  of  65  cents  per  ton  for  pick  coal  over  a one  and 
one-half  inch  screen,  will  be  for  the  thin  vein  mines  in  the 
Pittsburg  region,  39  cents  per  net  ton  for  mine-run  coal.  We 
therefore  find  that  we  are  entitled  to  the  following  prices  in 
this  region: 

For  mine-run,  pick  coal,  40  cents  per  net  ton. 

For  loading  machine  cut  coal,  22  cents  per  ton. 

For  cutting  coal,  6 cents  per  ton. 

Headings,  machine  cut,  30  cents  per  ton. 

For  drivers,  highest  price,  $1.85  per  day. 

We  wish  to  further  advise  that  we  had  every  opportunity 
to  get  thorough  and  accurate  information,  and  the  above  is, 
as  stated,  the  maximum  or  highest  prices  we  can  claim. 

Signed, 

P.  McHale,  D.  Sharkey, 

D.  B.  Hinton,  J.  Narcoss, 

W.  K.  Snyder,  Thos.  Haggerty, 

M.  D.  Addaric,  Jno.  Sullivan, 

P.  Stapleton,  P.  Donohue, 

V.  Baker,  P.  McGowan, 

M.  Levelle,  Committee. 

The  above  report  is  correct,  and  in  accordance  with  actual 
facts,  and,  as  per  agreement  with  our  men,  we  hereby  agree 

(489) 


490 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


to  pay  the  above  rates,  dating  from  September  9,  1897,  and 
what  was  promised  our  men  pending  this  investigation  will 
also  be  paid  as  agreed. 

Lucius  W.  Robinson,  General  Manager. 

Fairmont,  West  Virginia, 

October  4,  1897. 

Editor  Free  Press. 

Dear  Sir:  As  per  your  request,  I beg  to  enclose  a copy 

of  the  scale  of  prices  and  terms  upon  which  the  miners  of  the 
Fairmont  District  are  willing  to  resume  work.  I also  desire 
to  state  that  a conference  with  any  of  the  operators  on  the 
questions  referred  to  will  be  acceptable  to  myself  at  any  time 
they  choose  to  confer. 

Respectfully  yours, 

(Signed)  Chris  Evans,  General  Organizer, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Fairmont,  West  Va.,  October  4,  1897. 


Scale  of  Prices  Proposed. 


For  Mining  Coal ^ 

Inside  Day  Labor — 

Tracklayers  

Drivers,  Single  !Mule 

Outside  labor  

Carpenters  

Tipple  men  

Hlacksniitb  

The  suspension  of  mining  continued. 


Fairmont 
__$1.40 
__  1.40 


1.40 

1.25 

1.80 


$.40  per  ton. 
West  Fairmont 
and  Wilsonburg 
$1.50 
1.25 


1.75 


On  October  14,  1897,  a joint  meeting  of  operators  and 
miners  was  held  in  the  office  of  George  S.  Couch,  to  cbnsider 
questions  of  price  for  mining  coal  in  the  Kanawha  district, 
together  with  other  grievances.  • 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  election  of  Morris 
0.  Brooks  chairman,  and  Chris  Evans  secretary.  The  mem- 
bers present  follow : 

Operators — Morris  0.  Brooks,  Enoch  Carver,  John  Car- 
ver, M.  T.  Davis,  Neil  Robinson,  T.  E.  Embleton,  J.  D.  Harris. 

Miners — M.  D.  Ratchford,  Henry  Stephenson,  J.  Geo.  Rob- 
inson, S.  C.  Harless,  John  Thompson,  Chris  Evans. 

Mr.  Ratchford  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  and  sug- 
gested the  appointment  of  a committee  of  four  members  to 
draft  resolutions,  a scale  of  prices  and  other  matters  worthy 
of  consideration. 


Charleston  Joint  Semi-Conference 


491 


A general  discussion  was  afterwards  engaged  in  by  all 
members  present. 

Moved,  That  we  appoint  a committee  of  two  operators  and 
two  miners,  to  meet  at  2 o’clock,  to  present  conditions  to  work 
upon  by  this  conference.  Agreed  to. 

Moved,  To  adjourn  until  2 o’clock.  Adopted. 

Chris  Evans,  Secretary. 

At  the  time  stated,  the  miners’  representatives  met  in  the 
afternoon,  but  the  operators  failed  to  appear. 

The  abrupt  manner  in  which  the  joint  conference  had  sep- 
arated caused  considerable  discussion  of  the  situation  through 
the  Charleston,  West  Virginia,  city  papers. 

Statements  given  out  by  the  operators  as  to  propositions 
made  by  them,  that  were  not  in  accordance  with  the  facts  of 
what  had  transpired  in  the  conference,  were  refuted  by  Presi- 
dent M.  D.  Ratchford  through  the  Charleston  city  papers,  and 
for  the  purpose  of  placing  the  matter  in  its  true  light  before 
the  public.  President  Ratchford,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America,  published  the  following  statement : 

The  great  interest  manifested  in  the  peaceful  outcome  of 
this  controversy  by  the  good  people  of  Charleston  and  vicinity 
demands  from  me,  in  behalf  of  the  miners,  not  only  a state- 
ment of  the  facts,  but  also  demands  from  me  a still  further 
effort  to  end  this  strife  by  all  fair  and  honorable  means  at  my 
command.  To  this  end  I will  cheerfully  consent  to  a joint  dis- 
cussion of  the  questions  involved  at  any  time  that  it  may  be 
desired.  Chris  Evans  and  myself  will  meet  any  two  operators 
in  the  Kanawha  Valley,  in  this  city,  and  there  discuss  the  mer- 
its of  the  case,  that  we  may  go  before  the  public  in  a proper 
light. 

The  principles  of  our  organization  have  been  grossly  mis- 
represented. Conciliation  and  arbitration  are  fundamental 
rules.  Since  the  former  has  failed,  we  propose  the  latter,  the 
details  of  the  same  to  be  arranged  between  Mr.  Evans  and 
myself  on  one  side,  and  an  equal  number  from  the  other  side, 
or  three  disinterested  parties  named  by  such  persons. 

From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  the  responsibility  of  the 
present  conflict  is  not  with  us,  but  with  the  operators,  and  if 
either  or  both  of  these  propositions  are  rejected,  the  public 
will  surely  rest  the  blame  where  it  properly  belongs. 

The  proposition  of  President  Ratchford  was  ignored  by 
the  West  Virginia  operators,  as  was  also  the  claims  of  the 


492 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


miners  for  a uniform  scale  of  prices  and  the  placing  of  check- 
weighmen  at  the  mines,  so  that  their  coal  could  be  properly 
weighed.  These,  together  with  other  grievances,  held  full 
sway  and  the  suspension  continued. 

AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  OPERATOR  JOHNSON,  OF 
THE  KANAWHA  VALLEY,  AND  THE  MINE 
WORKERS. 

November  3,  1897. 

I,  the  undersigned,  do  hereby  agree  to  pay  40  cents  per  ton, 
run  of  mine,  for  the  No.  5 coal,  and  will  give  all  gas  coal  men 
employment  in  the  No.  5 mine  as  will  be  possible,  and  everj' 
miner  shall  receive  the  same  turn,  and  will  concede  to  a check- 
weighman  on  the  tipple ; and,  further,  I will  not  run  the  soft 
coal  mine  until  the  first  of  1898,  and  if  I should  propose  to 
start  the  soft  coal  mine  I will  pay  85  cents  per  ton  until  the 
1st  of  1898.  W.  R.  Johnson,  (Seal) 

Thomas  Legg,  (Seal) 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  said  W.  R.  Johnson  wall  not  in 
any  way  discriminate  against  any  of  his  employes;  and,  fur- 
ther, that  day  labor  and  entry  yardage  shall  be  advanced  in 
proportion  to  above  scale. 

AID  RENDERED  BY  OTHER  TRADES. 

November,  1897. 

On  July  4,  1897,  a suspension  was  ordered  by  the  officials 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  believing  that  it  was 
the  only  way  to  prevent  a further  reduction  in  mining  rates, 
and  stop  the  downward  tendency  of  miners’  wages,  that  was 
fast  falling  below  anything  near  a living  rate  for  the  miners 
and  those  depending  upon  them  for  support. 

The  condition  of  the  miners  to  enter  into  a struggle  such 
as  was  necessary  to  succeed  is  too  well  known  by  the  miners 
themselves,  and  needs  no  comment  here  other  than  to  call 
their  attention  to  the  fact  of  how  helpless  they  are  w^hen  left 
alone  to  fight  the  battles  they  are  so  often  forced  to  engage 
in.  Like  soldiers  fighting  for  the  union  of  states,  the  trade 
unionists  of  America  no  less  active,  volunteered  their  services 
to  fight  for  the  miners’  cause,  for  the  preservation  of  their 
union  and  a reasonable  wage. 

The  desire  to  aid,  the  will  to  perform  and  the  actual  w'ork 
done  by  the  organizations  affiliated  wfith  the  American  Fed- 


Supported  by  Other  Trades 


493 


eration  of  Labor,  can  not,  with  any  degree  of  respect,  be 
overlooked,  when  we  glance  over  the  field  and  call  to  mind  the 
assistance  rendered  by  them  in  the  time  of  need.  The  good 
effect  of  the  trades  union  movement  was  never  better  illus- 
trated than  when  it  came  to  the  rescue  of  the  miners  in  their 
recent  struggle. 

How  many  can  remember  such  an  effective  volunteer 
movement  as  was  entered  into  by  the  national  trades  unions 
of  our  country,  when  they  called  to  arms  some  of  the  best  and 
most  talented  officials  in  the  labor  movement,  and  like  true 
trade  unionists,  as  they  are,  abandoned  their  own  union,  as 
it  were,  in  order  to  mingle  with  and  assist  the  union  of  their 
fellow  workers  connected  with  the  mining  craft. 

Such  genuine  friendship  has  seldom  come  to  the  surface 
and  displayed  such  vigorous  efforts  to  place  workingmen  on  a 
higher  plane.  We  cannot  find  words  to  express  our  high  ap- 
preciation of  the  noble  work  done,  the  valuable  service  ren- 
dered and  the  time  and  money  spent  in  the  interest  of  our 
cause. 

Let  us  hope  that  mine  workers  in  general  will  prove  by 
their  future  actions  that  the  labors  of  these  men  have  not  been 
spent  in  vain. 

When  the  work  of  organizing  the  miners  of  West  Virginia 
first  began,  there  was  very  little  encouragement  given  to 
organizers  that  were  sent  there  to  carry  on  the  work. 

To  convince  miners  that  it  was  to  their  interests  to  cease 
work,  that  were  receiving  10  cents  per  ton  advance  on  former 
prices,  was  no  easy  task,  more  especially  so  where  the  same 
miners  had  not  been  able  to  get  work  prior  to  the  suspension 
at  hardly  any  price.  This  fact,  coupled  with  an  alleged  change 
of  heart  on  the  part  of  operators  toward  all  miners  working 
under  their  employ,  pouring  blessings  upon  them  that  almost 
forced  miners  to  believe  that  they  were  living  in  the  realms 
above  rather  than  wasting  their  lives  under  the  earth  below, 
made  things  very  embarrassing,  to  say  the  least. 

To  overcome  this  delusion  in  the  Kanawha  and  New  River 
districts  required  all  the  forces  of  Vice-President  Haskins, 
Organizer  R.  J.  Weber  and  Fred  Dilcher,  member  of  the 
national  board.  Even  this  well-known  trio  had  to  be  rO' 


494 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


enforced  later  on.  Organizers  Wm.  H.  Turner  and  W.  C. 
Scott,  together  with  R.  M.  Mason,  Isaac  Jones  and  R.  L.  Da- 
vis, were  added  to  this  force,  and  great  credit  is  due  them  for 
efficient  services  rendered.  The  presence  of  Samuel  Gompers, 
president  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  in  the  Kana- 
wha and  New  River  districts,  as  well  as  in  other  parts  of  the 
West  Virginia  coal  field,  had  a very  favorable  and  impressive 
bearing  on  all  parties  interested.  Chris  Evans  accompanied 
President  Gompers,  and  both  were  served  with  two  injunc- 
tions in  two  counties  in  two  days.  Henry  Lloyd,  president  of 
the  United  Brotherhood  of  Carpenters  and  Joiners  of  America, 
gave  us  two  weeks  of  hard  and  effective  work,  divided  between 
the  tramping  of  railroad  ties,  climbing  hillsides  and  preaching 
the  gospel  of  labor  on  the  mountain  tops. 

With  the  aid  of  President  Mahon,  of  the  Street  Railway 
Employees,  Joseph  Vitchenstein,  of  the  Pittsburg  newspaper 
fraternity.  President  Robinson,  of  the  Kanawha  and  New 
River  districts,  and  the  continued  marches  of  Dilcher’s  and 
Weber’s  armies,  crossing  the  mountains  at  all  hours  when 
least  expected,  keeping  the  enemy  steadily  on  the  run,  and  the 
assistance  of  many  local  workers  that  are  seldom  found  during 
such  troublesome  times,  no  wonder  the  miners  of  the  Kana- 
wha Valley  have  made  the  gallant  fight  recorded  to  their 
credit. 

The  courageous  work  done  in  the  Fairmont  district 
through  the  services  of  President  Rae,  of  the  Painters’  Union, 
Jas.  O’Connell,  president  of  the  International  Machinists’ 
Union,  Wm.  A.  Carney,  vice-president  of  the  Amalgamated 
Association  of  Iron  and  Steel  Workers,  Patrick  Harvey,  of  the 
coal  miners,  James  Soverign,  Mother  Jones,  Eugene  Debs  and 
James  Wood,  vice-president  of  the  Cigar  Makers’  Interna- 
tional Union,  the  Fairmont  district  was  well  and  attentively 
cared  for. 

The  valuable  and  efficient  services  of  our  friends,  Carney 
and  Wood,  during  the  latter  part  of  the  contest,  are  worthy  of 
a place  in  the  hearts  of  coal  miners  everywhere,  long  to  be 
remembered. 

It  would  be  an  act  of  injustice  on  our  part  were  we  to 
refrain  from  acknowledging  the  noble  stand  taken  by  the 


Sub-District  Conventions  1 and  2,  District  6 495 

miners  of  the  Monongah  mine  and  others  at  Clarksville, 
Minersville,  Flemington  and  other  places  against  such  fearful 
odds  as  they  had  to  contend  with.  Let  it  suffice,  however,  to 
say  that  the  seed  of  unionism  is  sown  in  the  Mountain  state. 
United  Mine  Workers  can  be  found  now  where  they  were 
never  known  before,  and  we  express  our  sincere  thanks  to  all 
friends  that  assisted  us  in  accomplishing  the  good  work  done. 

SUB-DISTRICT  2,  of  DISTRICT  6. 

On  December  14,  1897,  there  was  a convention  held  at 
Wellston,  Ohio,  of  Sub-district  2,  of  District  6,  with  about  22 
delegates  present. 

President  William  Phelps  called  the  meeting  to  order.  Af- 
ter the  appointment  of  the  necessary  committees,  a number  of 
resolutions  were  considered,  among  which  were  the  employ- 
ment of  the  sub-district  president  on  salary  that  was  rejected ; 
another  condemning  a local  secretary  at  the  Hippie  mine.  Coal- 
ton,  for  squandering  funds ; and  the  selection  of  a committee 
to  draft  rules  for  the  government  of  the  sub-district. 

It  was  also  decided  to  have  the  proceedings  printed,  a copy 
of  which  was  to  be  sent  to  each  local,  and  the  meeting  ad- 
journed. Thomas  Robertson,  Secretary. 

CONVENTION  OF  SUB-DISTRICT  1,  of  DISTRICT  6. 

Shawnee,  Ohio,  December  21,  1897. 

Meeting  called  to  order  by  President  Joseph  Evans.  The 
call  of  the  convention  being  read,  the  chair  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing committee  on  credentials:  J.  D.  Gillilan,  Robert  Kil- 
patrick, G.  W.  Humphrey. 

The  following  delegates  were  present:  J.  D.  Gillilan,  W.  E. 
Arnold,  M.  K.  Learned,  Fred  Powell,  M.  Orndorf,  Mike  Galli- 
ger,  Henry  Cheeny,  Conrad  Wein,  G.  W.  Humphrey,  J.  W. 
McCullough,  W.  H.  Bartoe,  S.  R.  Helm,  John  Oakley,  R.  Kil- 
patrick, G.  W.  Shakert. 

Motion,  That  we  term  this  the  annual  convention  of  sub- 
district No.  1,  and  that  all  delegates  abide  by  the  same.  Car- 
ried. 

President  Evans  retired  from  the  chair  and  requested 
President  Farms,  of  District  6,  to  preside. 

Motion,  That  we  proceed  to  the  election  of  officers. 


496 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Candidates  balloted  for  and  elected  for  their  respective 
offices:  Richard  Neason,  of  Glouster,  for  president;  Janies 

Hardy,  for  vice-president ; W.  H.  Bartoe,  for  secretary- 
treasurer;  R.  J.  Jones,  member  of  board  for  District  6. 

On  motion,  The  election  of  all  officers  was  made  unani- 
mous. 

Convention  adjourned,  to  meet  at  7 :30,  Wednesday. 

MORNING  SESSION. 

Vice-President  James  Hardy  in  the  chair. 

Resolved,  That  we.  Sub-district  No.  1,  of  District  No.  6, 
carry  all  ordained  ministers  of  the  gospel  free  of  all  assess- 
ments and  dues. 

Presented  by  Rev.  J.  D.  Gillilan.  Concurred  in  by  the  com- 
mittee. 

The  committee  on  constitution  reported  the  following:  To 
amend  Article  8,  Section  2,  to  read  as  follows:  “At  the 

request  of  five  locals,  and  under  seal  of  same,  a special  sub- 
district convention  shall  be  called  by  the  sub-district  presi- 
dent at  any  time.”  Also  Article  3,  Section  3,  and  eighth  line, 
strike  out  the  adjective,  “the,”  and  insert  the  conjunction, 
“and.” 

The  report  of  the  committee  as  read,  carried. 

We,  your  committee  appointed  to  audit  the  books  of  the 
secretary-treasurer,  have  examined  the  same,  and  find  the  fol- 
lowing report: 

Balance  on  hand  last  audit,  $179.99 ; receipts  during  term, 
$232.21 ; total  receipts,  $412.20.  Mason  received,  $134.95 ; 
Jones  received,  $97.26.  Mason  expended,  $326.67 ; Jones  ex- 
pended, $171.07.  Total,  $497.74.  Leaving  a deficiency  of 
$85.44.  M.  K.  Learned, 

Conrad  Wein, 

Fred  Powell, 

Committee. 

Moved,  To  concur  in  and  adopt  the  report  of  the  auditing 
committee  in  full.  Carried. 

Moved,  That  all  rules  of  sub-district  be  enforced.  That 
Nelson ville  be  our  next  place  of  meeting  for  the  annual  con- 
vention. That  the  minutes  be  printed  and  a copy  sent  to  all 
delegates.  Carried. 


Joint  Conference  Stepping  Stone 


497 


Moved,  To  adjourn  to  meet  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  De- 
cember, 1898,  at  Nelsonville.  Carried. 

Richard  Neason,  President, 

James  Hardy,  Vice-President, 

W.  H.  Bartoe,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

N.  B. — All  secretaries  are  requested  to  send  their  post- 
office  money  orders  for  dues  to  Consol.  Send  all  communica- 
tions to  W.  H.  Bartoe. 

PRELIMINARY  CONFERENCE,  DECEMBER  27,  1897. 

In  response  to  the  published  request  of  Mr.  M.  D.  Ratch- 
ford.  National  President  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  representative  coal  operators  and  miners  of  the 
states  of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  met  at  the 
Chittenden  Hotel,  Columbus,  Ohio,  on  December  27,  1897,  for 
the  purpose  of  arranging  a conference  or  convention  for 
reviving  and  establishing  such  inter-state  agreements  on  rates 
and  prices  for  the  mining  of  coal,  as,  properly  and  faithfully 
observed  by  the  miners  and  the  operators  respectively,  might 
establish  market  conditions,  and  promote  such  amicable  rela- 
tions between  the  different  states  and  between  employers  and 
employes,  as  to  advance  the  mutual  interest  of  both. 

Operators  present — Pennsylvania,  Pittsburg  District:  F. 
L.  Robbins,  J.  C.  Dysart,  U.  A.  Andrews,  W.  R.  Wilson,  M.  H. 
Taylor,  F.  M.  Osborne;  Ohio:  J.  S.  Morton,  Thomas  Johnson, 
0.  F.  McKinney,  H.  L.  Chapman,  R.  H.  Johnson,  B.  F.  Berry, 
S.  J.  Patterson,  H.  D.  Turney,  C.  L.  Poston,  Joseph  Slater; 
Indiana : R.  S.  Tennant,  W.  S.  Bogle,  Wm.  Risher,  J.  K.  Sei- 
fert, J.  Smith  Talley;  Illinois:  J.  C.  Simpson,  A.  L.  Sweet, 
Jos.  Garaghty,  H.  N.  Taylor,  A.  J.  Morehead;  Indiana,  Block 
District:  Jas.  McClellan,  W.  W.  Risher,  C.  A.  Eastman. 

Miners  present — M.  D.  Ratchford,  National  President; 
W.  C.  Pearce,  National  Secretary-Treasurer;  W.  E.  Farms, 
President  District  No.  6 ; National  Executive  Board  members, 
Fred  Dilcher,  Patrick  Dolan,  Henry  Stevenson,  J.  H.  Ken- 
nedy; W.  G.  Knight,  president  District  No.  11;  J.  M.  Hunter, 
president  District  No.  12;  J.  G.  Robinson,  West  Virginia; 


498 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


T.  W.  Davis,  Editor  United  Mine  Workers  Journal;  Samuel 
Anderson,  president  District  No.  8. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  Chairman, 

F.  S.  Brooks,  Secretary. 


CALL  FOR  CHICAGO  JOINT  CONFERENCE,  JANU- 
ARY, 1898. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  December  28,  1897. 

To  the  Operators  and  Miners  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  West 

Virginia,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois. 

Gentlemen:  At  a meeting  of  operators’  and  miners’  rep- 

resentatives, held  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  on  this  27th  day  of  De- 
cember, 1897,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  a joint  meeting 
of  miners  and  operators  of  this  competitive  coal  field  be  held 
in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building,  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  at  10  o’clock 
a.  m.,  on  Monday,  January  17th,  for  the  purpose  of  estab- 
lishing mutual  relations  and  formulating  an  annual  scale  of 
prices  to  be  paid  for  mining  in  the  various  fields  in  the  states 
aforesaid  for  the  ensuing  year;  and  such  adjustment  of  dif- 
ferentials as  may  be  agreed  on,  and  if  possible,  the  permanent 
establishment  of  inter-state  agreement  on  the  mining  ques- 
tion; and  the  consideration  of  such  other  matters  as  may 
properly  come  before  such  meeting. 

On  behalf  of  miners — Committee:  W.  C.  Pearce,  Ohio; 
Patrick  Dolan,  Pennsylvania;  J.  M.  Hunter,  Illinois;  J.  H. 
Kennedy,  Indiana. 

On  behalf  of  operators — Committee : F.  L.  Robbins,  Penn- 
sylvania; H.  N.  Taylor,  Illinois;  R.  S.  Tennant,  Indiana;  J. 
S.  Morton,  Ohio. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  on  behalf  of  National  Executive  Board. 

OFFICIAL  MINING  SCALE, 

SUB-DISTRICT  5,  OF  DISTRICT  6,  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF 

AMERICA,  COMPOSED  OF  BELMONT,  HARRISON,  JEFFERSON 
AND  TUSCARAWAS  COUNTIES. 

Mining  screened  lump  coal,  per  ton SO. 56 

^Mining  run  of  mine  coal,  per  ton .40 

Mining  bank  measure,  per  ft.,  room  24  ft.  'wide,  coal  5 ft 1.79 

Mining  dry  entries,  j>er  yard  of  coal ! 1-15 

jMining  dry  entries,  per  yard,  not  to  exceed  6 ft.  in  width,  bank  measure  2.2S 

Mining  break-throughs  between  entries entry  price 

Chitting  througli  horsebacks  or  rolls,  18  in.  thick 2.00 

Re-setting  posts,  each  -10 

Cleaning  falls  in  rooms,  per  car -10 

Entries — Working  single,  must  be  6 ft.  nude;  double,  must  be  8 ft.  wide. 
Wet  entries,  25  cents  per  yard  extra.  Double  shifting  entries,  25  cents  per 
yard  extra. 


Scale  Prices  Sub-District  5,  District  6 


499 


Belmont,  Harrison  and  Jefferson  Counties. 


Mining  breat-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard $ .90 

Room  turning,  7 ft.  wide,  21  ft.  deep 6.00 

Room  turning,  for  each  yard  less  in  deptli,  deduct -92% 

Room  turning,  for  each  foot  more  in  width,  deduct .70 

Cleaning  slate,  extra  1.75 

Tuscarawas  County. 

Mining  break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard $ .70 

Room  turning,  7 ft.  wide,  21  ft.  deep 2.75 

Room  turning,  6 ft.  wide,  6 ft.  deep 2.00 

Day  Labor. 

Per  Day 

Track  laying  $1.90 

Drivers  1.65 

Inside  labor  1.65 

Water  haulers  1.65 

Gagers  1.65 

Firemen  1.65 

Trappers  .70 

Checkers  : ! 1.65 

Tri*mers  and  dumpers 1.50 

Outside  labor  1.40 

Expires  December  31,  1897. 


CONVENTION  DISTRICT  NO.  5,  DECEMBER,  1897. 

Pittsburg,  December  20,  1897. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  10:15  a.  m.,  with 
Vice-President  Edward  McKay  in  the  chair.  The  first  order 
of  business  was  the  appointment  of  the  following  committee 
on  credentials:  James  Watchorn,  Walter  Calverly,  W.  W. 
Plaster. 

After  a brief  recess,  the  committee  on  credentials  reported 
the  following  delegates  present:  Henry  Gillman,  Mathew 

Linn,  John  Havack,  Albert  Andrew,  Charles  Fickell,  John 
Sykes,  Hugh  Whetherspoon,  William  Woodhall,  J.  C.  Wilson, 
Hugh  McBryde,  Henry  Walker,  William  Duffer,  James  Mc- 
Gowan, John  Froelich,  James  B.  Riley,  Charles  E.  Wallace, 
Walter  Calverly,  Arthur  Goodwin,  Edwin  Short,  Thomas 
Wilds,  Archie  Robinson,  Phil.  Hanlon,  John  McGouldick, 
Henry  Ponder,  William  Taylor,  Edward  McCune,  John  Fitz- 
patrick, James  Maloy,  Mike  Rice,  Andy  Fish,  William  W. 
Plaster,  William  Darnley,  Reuben  Dempos,  Ed.  Thomas,  John 
P.  Ferry,  John  T.  Evans,  William  Frew,  John  Davis,  Sam. 
Edwards,  Sam.  Pardoe,  Mathew  Kerrigan,  James  McMannus, 
James  Murray,  Henry  Kouche,  P.  Rupert,  W.  H.  Thomas, 


500 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


James  Watchorn,  Nick  Ehl,  Banning,  Joseph  Hopson,  Bar- 
ney Dowds,  W.  J.  Best,  Sam.  Shultz,  John  Campbell,  Julius 
Dumont,  John  McCormick,  Nick.  Augustine,  George  Ashman, 
Mike  Somon,  Joseph  Craig,  R.  Williams,  William  Beveridge, 
James  Hoey,  John  McGuire,  Leonard  Gross,  Charles  Lance- 
burger,  Pat.  McFarland,  Andy  Barey,  William  Adams, 
Thomas  West,  Alex.  Cameron,  William  Smith,  James  Lennex, 
Albert  Evans,  Thomas  Brannon,  Alphus  Gottsetz,  John 
Breckenbaugh,  Griffer  Thomas,  Henry  H.  Cain,  H.  Savage, 
Richard  Mulvaney,  Henry  Delosh,  Hugh  Polin,  E.  J.  Burley. 

Eighty-four  delegates  present.  One  delegate  represented 
the  drivers. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  committee  on  resolu- 
tions: Walter  Calverly,  James  McMannus,  James  Hoey, 

Henry  Walker,  John  Froelich,  John  McGuire,  Hugh  Polin. 

Secretary  Warner  presented  his  report,  a part  of  which 
follows : 

Mr.  President  and  delegates  to  the  convention : 

I submit  to  you  for  your  earnest  consideration,  the  fol- 
lowing report,  which  is  as  complete  as  the  circumstances  up 
to  the  present  time  will  permit.  The  following  is  the  amount 
that  has  been  received  since  the  beginning  of  our  national 
strike  inaugurated  on  the  4th  of  July: 

The  total  amount  received  up  to  date,  $17,109.15.  We  have 
as  a result  of  our  failure  to  receive  sufficient  funds  to  meet  all 
the  demands  that  have  been  made  upon  us,  considerable  obli- 
gations. The  following  is  a statement  of  our  indebtedness: 
Our  indebtedness  to  campers  who  have  been  promised  pay 
by  the  executive  board  at  the  rate  of  $1.25  per  day  and  board, 
$1,000;  for  provisions  and  supplies,  $800;  for  loans,  $400; 
making  a total  of  $2,200.  This  does  not  include  anything  for 
strikers  who  are  yet  in  need  of  support  and  who  appeal  in 
large  numbers  daily  to  us  at  our  headquarters,  and  it  must  be 
remembered  that  according  to  expectations  we  owe  those 
strikers  benfits  due  them  since  the  25th  of  October,  nor  does 
it  include  anything  for  the  assistance  of  strikers  who  seek 
employment  elsewhere  and  to  move  their  families. 

I will  next  call  your  attention  to  the  immense  expense  that 
was  required  to  furnish  food  to  the  hundreds,  and  sometimes 
thousands  that  were  engaged  in  marching  miles  across  the 
country  to  our  camps  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  the  em- 
ployees of  the  New  York  & Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company  to 
join  our  strike. 


Pittsburg  Convention,  December,  1897 


501 


We  have  on  file  in  the  office,  bills  that  show  over  $2,000 
worth  of  provisions  and  supplies  have  been  furnished  for 
this  purpose. 

He  said  $15,000  had  been  expended : $10,000  for  campers 
and  strikers,  $3,000  to  relieve  the  needy  and  $2,000  to  supply 
other  campers  in  the  field. 

In  addition  to  the  three  items  above  mentioned,  he  said: 
There  was  all  expenses  to  be  added.  The  secretary’s  report 
was  voluminous,  treating  in  detail  the  conditions  of  the  dis- 
trict; his  inability  to  impress  upon  the  delegates  the  real  facts 
of  the  situation  that  confronted  the  district  officials  because 
of  the  heartrending  appeals  made  for  aid  by  miners  on  strike ; 
efforts  made  to  borrow  funds  in  order  to  meet  obligations 
entered  into  for  money  expended  to  buy  food  for  strikers, 
and  their  families  and  the  lack  of  finance  at  their  command, 
closing  his  report  as  follows : 

In  conclusion,  I wish  to  give  you  my  honest  opinion  and 
advice,  as  I believe  the  opinion  and  advice  of  your  officers  is 
yours  and  it  is  their  duty  to  express  their  opinion  to  you  and 
continue  to  give  their  advice  at  all  times,  fully  realizing,  as 
I have  already  stated,  that  it  is  an  utter  impossibility  to  re- 
port to  the  rank  and  file  in  detail  the  circumstances  during 
this  entire  time.  I emphatically  make  this  statement  to  you 
that  your  officers  have  been  thoroughly  honest  and  competent, 
that  they  have  given  every  moment  of  their  time  to  your  af- 
fairs, sacrificing  to  a great  extent  all  private  wants  of  their 
own  to  accomplish  that  which  was  desired  and  which  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  give  peace  to  the  coal  trade  and  living 
wages  to  the  miners.  Taking  in  view  the  great  benefits  that 
the  miners  have  derived  from  the  public  and  other  labor  or- 
ganizations, your  officers  should  at  the  least  calculation  have 
had  $10,000  per  week.  The  miners  of  this  district  could 
easily  have  afforded  to  have. made  this  amount,  as  only  about 
one-half  of  that  received  has  been  paid  by  the  miners  of  this 
district.  As  your  officers  who  have  had  daily  experience  and 
who  have  come  in  contact  with  all  the  circumstances  and  diffi- 
culties, we  earnestly  believe  and  so  submit  to  you  that  the 
accomplishment  and  the  management  of  affairs  with  $17,000 
of  funds  is  more  than  worthy  of  your  compliments  and  your 
approval,  and  if  you  are  true  to  your  officers,  as  I submit  to 
you  that  your  officers  have  been  true  to  you,  you  will  give 
them  your  approval  as  far  as  they  have  gone. 

Hoping  that  co-operation,  confidence  and  support  to  one 
another  will  replace  the  present  feeling  and  sentiment  that 


502 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


exists  among  some  as  it  has  been  exhibited  plainly  to  us,  I 
remain, 

Sincerely  yours, 

William  Warner. 

Convention  adjourned  to  give  committee  on  resolutions 
time  to  report. 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  at  2 :45  p.  m. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  the  reporters  be  admitted.  Car- 
ried. 

Reporters  were  instructed  by  the  chair  that  any  portion 
of  the  proceedings  requested  not  to  be  published  they  should 
not  publish. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  not  being  ready  to  report, 
Christopher  Evans  was  requested  to  address  the  convention. 
He  advised  that  the  delegates  confine  themselves  strictly  to 
the  questions  for  which  the  delegates  were  called  together  as 
time  is  precious. 

Joseph  Bishop,  J.  B.  Johnson,  secretary  of  the  Uniformity 
Committee  and  Wm.  Carney  of  the  Almalgamated  Associa- 
tion addressed  the  convention.  Committee  on  Resolutions  of- 
fered the  following : 

Whereas,  God  in  His  allwise  providence  has  thought  pro- 
per to  take  from  our  respected  brother,  Patrick  Dolan,  his  be- 
loved wife,  thus  depriving  him  of  a faithful  helpmate  and 
their  children  of  a good  and  loving  mother, 

Therefore  be  it  resolved.  That  we,  miners  assembled  in 
convention,  extend  to  the  bereaved  brother  our  heartfelt  sym- 
pathy and  sincerely  hope  that  these  of  our  craft  and  everj’ 
other  craft  will  stand  ready  at  any  and  all  times  to  serve  our 
brother,  if  the  same  be  required. 

Carried  unanimously. 

Resolutions  were  presented  as  follows : 

1st.  That  we  demand  a price  equivalent  to  75  cents  per 
ton  over  inch  and  one-half  screen  for  the  year  1898. 

2d.  That  we  demand  three-fifths  shall  be  the  price  for 
loading  after  the  machine  with  a differential  of  5 cents  per 
ton  between  the  chain  or  cutterbar  and  the  pick  machine,  this 
5 cents  per  ton  to  go  to  the  loader. 


Pittsburg  Convention,  December,  1897 


503 


3d.  That  we  are  positively  averse  to  two  prices  for  driv- 
ing, and  that  in  the  future  only  one  price  shall  prevail,  and 
that  shall  be  $2.00  per  day  on  a 65-cent  rate  referred. 

4th.  That  we  recommend  that  a committee  be  appointed 
to  reconsider  the  dead  work  scale  and  that  a specified  price 
be  named  for  thick  slate,  black-jack,  ripping-roof,  etc. 

5th.  Seeing  that  such  a diversity  of  opinion  exists  as  to 
the  differential  between  thick  and  thin  vein,  we  favor  submit- 
ting the  same  to  the  convention  for  their  adjustment. 

6th.  That  the  differential  between  the  Pittsburg  district 
and  the  State  of  Ohio  be  referred  to  the  convention. 

7th.  That  we  favor  establishing  the  run  of  mine  system 
in  accordance  with  the  recent  Act  of  Legislature  and  that 
we  carry  the  same  to  the  Supreme  Court.  Executive  board 
empowered  to  raise  funds. 

8th.  That  we  favor  a uniform  price,  and  that  those  oper- 
ators refusing  to  adopt  uniform  conditions  be  compelled  to 
pay  10  cents  per  ton  over  the  district  price. 

9th.  That  each  delegate  use  his  best  efforts  to  get  his 
employer  to  sign  the  uniformity  agreement. 

10th.  The  following  resolution  was  presented  to  the  com- 
mittee which  we  offer  without  recommendation. 

Resolved,  That  we  river  and  railroad  drivers  demand  $2.25 
per  day,  ten  (10)  hours’  work. 

Resolved,  That  we  leave  the  stable  at  6 o’clock,  take  one 
hour  for  dinner  and  be  at  the  stable  at  5 o’clock  p.  m. 

Resolved,  That  all  overtime  be  paid  for  according  to  day’s 
wages. 

Resolved,  That  you  sign  this  scale  and  put  into  effect  the 
same  as  miners’  scale. 

Moved  that  we  discuss  the  report  seriatim.  Carried. 

First  resolution  read  and  adopted. 

Moved  that  the  second  resolution  be  referred  to  a commit- 
tee of  experienced  machine  miners.  Carried. 

Moved  that  we  adjourn  until  7 o’clock,  p.  m.  Convention 
adjourned. 

EVENING  SESSION. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  7 o’clock,  p.  m.,  with  Uriah 
Bellingham,  member  of  the  board,  in  the  chair. 

Moved  that  we  proceed  with  business.  Carried. 

Third  resolution  read. 

Amended  that  it  be  referred  to  the  committee  that  meets 
the  operators.  Amendment  carried. 


504 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Fourth,  fifth  and  sixth  resolutions  were  read  and  adopted. 

Moved  that  two  sergeants-at-arms  be  appointed,  and  any 
delegate  disobeying  the  ruling  of  the  chair  shall  be  ejected 
from  the  convention.  Carried. 

George  Ashman  and  Henry  Walker  were  appointed  ser- 
geants-at-arms. 

Seventh  resolution  read. 

Amended  that  we  empower  the  executive  board  to  raise 
funds.  Motion  and  amendment  adopted. 

Eighth  resolution  read. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  we  adopt  it  as  read. 

Christopher  Evans  read  the  following  as  a substitute : 

Pittsburg,  December  20,  1897. 

Whereas,  It  has  long  been  recognized  and  is  known  that 
payments  in  merchandise,  store  orders,  scrip,  etc.,  and  un- 
certainty in  weights  upon  which  earnings  are  determined, 
constitute  evils  from  which  coal  diggers  have  and  do  now 
suffer  much  more  than  the  workmen  employed  in  any  other 
industry,  and 

Whereas,  A number  of  coal  producers  in  the  Pittsburg 
district  have  indicated  a willingness  to  endeavor  to  correct 
these  evils,  through  their  signatures  to  the  uniformity  agree- 
ment, and  have  asked  the  miners  to  assist  in  the  work  thus 
undertaken,  and  in  order  to  carry  out  the  conditions  named 
in  the  uniformity  agreement,  and  the  expressed  desire  of 
those  operators  that  have  signed  the  agreement,  that  miners 
shall  demand  a differential  of  ten  cents  per  ton  more  from 
operators  that  refuse  to  sign ; be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  officials  and  miners  in  convention 
assembled,  declare  our  willingness  to  use  all  efforts  possible 
to  carry  the  same  into  effect,  provided,  all  operators  that 
have,  or  may,  sign  the  agreement  will  give  us  their  moral  sup- 
port. 

Resolved,  further.  That  in  the  event  of  a failure  on  the  part 
of  operators  to  carry  out  the  above  provisions,  we  cannot  hold 
ourselves  responsible  for  any  change  in  our  position,  made 
necessary  for  reasons  above  stated. 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  this  convention  signify  our 
position,  purpose,  and  action  in  this  regard  to  J.  B.  Johnson, 
secretary  of  the  operators’  convention  held  in  Pittsburg,  De- 
cember 16th,  1897,  by  certifying  to  him  copies  of  these  resolu- 
tions this  day  adopted  by  said  delegate  convention  of  miners. 

Moved  that  the  substitute  be  adopted. 


Pittsburg  Convention,  December,  1897 


505 


Substitute  carried. 

Ninth  resolution  read. 

Moved  that  it  be  adopted  as  read.  Carried. 

Tenth  resolution  was  considered  disposed  of  by  a former 
resolution. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered : 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  the  calling  of  an  Inter-State  con- 
vention of  operators  and  miners  at  as  early  a date  as  possible, 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  prices  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Adopted. 

Moved  that  we  ask  for  49  cents  per  ton,  run  of  mine.  Car- 
ried. 

Moved  that  we  adjourn  to  meet  in  joint  convention. 

William  Warner,  Secretary. 

Pittsburg,  December  21,  1897. 

Joint  convention  of  operators  and  miners  was  called  to 
order  by  Vice-President  McKay  of  the  miners. 

President  Ratchford  placed  in  nomination  Dr.  Anderson, 
operator,  to  act  as  permanent  chairman. 

National  Secretary  Pearce,  of  the  miners,  placed  in  nom- 
ination Secretary  Warner,  of  the  miners,  as  secretary. 

G.  W.  Schluederberg  nominated  Mr.  R.  J.  Bailey  as  as- 
sistant secretary. 

The  officers  nominated  were  elected  by  acclamation. 

Operators  present  were:  T.  E.  Young,  Shepplar  Gas  Coal 
Co. ; Geo.  Schluederberg,  Oak  Ridge  Coal  Co. ; Henry  Floer- 
sheim ; Francis  L.  Robbins ; D.  M.  Hanna,  M.  A.  Hanna  Co. ; 
J.  C.  Dysart,  Chartiers  Block  Coal  Co. ; W.  P.  Rend,  Pittsburg 
& Western  Coal  and  Coke  Co.;  Joseph  Rend;  C.  W.  Somers, 
J.  H.  Somers  & Co. ; W.  A.  Andrews,  Imperial  Co. ; Geo.  Hoo- 
sack,  Bridgeville  Coal  Co. ; J.  E.  Boyle,  M.  McCue  & Co. ; W.  J. 
Steen,  0.  I.  C.  Co. ; D.  M.  Anderson ; John  O’Neil,  Ella  Coal 
Co. ; C.  Hitchcock,  Moon  Run  Coal  Co. ; Wm.  Wilson,  Ridge- 
way, Bishop  Coal  Co. ; F.  M.  Osborne,  Osborne-Saeger  Co. ; 
E.  Saeger,  Osborne-Saeger  Co. ; L.  Hornickle,  Panhandle  Coal 
Co. ; A.  J.  McCartney,  Youghiogheny  Gas  Coal  Co. ; Jno. 
Newell,  Jas.  W.  Ellsworth  & Co. ; Jesse  H.  Sanford,  Boyd  Coal 
Co. ; J.  J.  Steytler,  Blythe  Coal  Co.  and  Slope  Mine  Co. ; W.  P. 


506 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Shinn,  Mansfield  Coal  & Coke  Co.;  C.  W.  Baine,  Morgan, 
Moore  & Baine  Co.;  C.  Weisser,  Lake  Shore  Gas  Coal  Co.; 
John  Blythe,  John  Blythe  & Co. 

President  Ratchford,  (miner)  proceeded  to  address  the 
convention  upon  the  objects  of  the  gathering. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  the  chairman  appoint  two  door- 
keepers, one  operator  and  one  miner,  to  keep  out  any  persons 
that  may  be  undesirable  to  either  side.  Carried. 

Uriah  Bellingham,  miner,  and  Wm.  Steen,  operator,  were 
appointed  doorkeepers. 

The  following  were  added  to  the  list  of  members  of  the  con- 
vention: M.  D.  Ratchford,  W.  C.  Pearce,  Chris.  Evans. 

Moved  by  Dempster,  operator,  and  seconded  by  Rend, 
operator,  that  we  revive  the  former  interstate  arrangement. 

Operators,  Robbins,  Schluederberg ; and  miners,  Pearce 
and  Evans  made  short  addresses  approving  of  an  interstate 
convention. 

The  following  delegates  were  placed  upon  the  minutes: 
Jas.  Maloy,  L.  U.  480,  DuBois,  Pa.;  John  Friel,  Reynoldsville, 
Pa. ; P.  McGowan,  Lindsay,  Pa. ; John  Rae,  Lake  Shore, 
Dravo,  Pa. ; W.  E.  Pugh,  DuBois,  Pa. 

While  President  Ratchford  was  addressing  the  convention. 
Secretary  Warner  asked  the  attention  of  the  chair,  stating 
that  two  men  (J.  A.  Cairns  and  John  Flannery)  had  forced 
their  way  through  the  doorkeepers. 

Secretary  Warner  moved  that  they  be  ejected  from  the  hall 
at  once.  It  was  promptly  seconded  and  carried. 

Col.  W.  P.  Rend,  operator,  addressed  the  convention,  pay- 
ing a grand  tribute  to  the  purpose  of  inter-state  conventions. 

The  former  resolution  for  reviving  the  interstate  arrange- 
ment was  adopted  unanimously. 

Moved  by  Operator  Robbins  and  seconded,  that  a com- 
mittee be  appointed  of  three  from  each  side  to  arrange  the 
details  of  the  calling  of  such  an  interstate  convention.  Car- 
ried. 

Alexander  Dempster,  F.  L.  Robbins  and  F.  M.  Osborne, 
operators ; M.  D.  Ratchford,  W.  C.  Pearce  and  Ed.  McKay, 
miners,  were  appointed. 

Moved  that  we  adjourn.  Carried. 


Pittsburg  Convention,  December,  1897 


507 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

December  21,  1897. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  at  2 :10  o’clock  p.  m. 

The  committee  appointed  to  arrange  the  details  of  an  In- 
terstate convention  reported  the  following: 

Moved  by  Mr.  Dempster  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Ratchford, 
that  a committee  of  operators  be  appointed  from  this  state 
to  confer  with  like  committees  from  other  states  and  miners’ 
representatives  relative  to  the  date  and  program  for  the  Inter- 
state convention,  and  establish  a temporary  price  until  such 
convention  is  held,  and  said  committee  to  meet  in  Columbus, 
Ohio,  on  Monday,  27th  inst.,  at  3 p.  m.,  at  the  Chittenden 
Hotel. 

Mr.  F.  Robbins,  Chairman. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 

Operator  J.  B.  Zerbe  offered  an  amendment  to  strike  out 
the  words  “that  a committee  of  operators  should  meet  the 
National  Executive  Board  of  the  miners  to  establish  a tem- 
porary price  of  mining  from  January  1,  1898,  until  the  inter- 
state convention  takes  place,”  and  the  following  be  substi- 
tuted : “That  the  present  price  shall  continue.” 

J.  B.  Zerbe,  Ohio  & Pennsylvania  Coal  Company;  Chas. 
Hartley,  Hartley  & Marshall,  and  N.  F.  Sanford,  Moon  Run, 
were  added  to  the  members  of  the  convention  at  the  afternoon 
session. 

The  amendment  not  having  received  any  second,  the 
resolution  was  called  for  and  adopted. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed : 

Operators — F.  L.  Robbins,  J.  C.  Dysart,  F.  M.  Osborne, 
U.  A.  Andrews,  W.  R.  Wilson. 

President  Ratchford  for  the  miners  stated  that  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Board  and  district  presidents  would  act  for 
the  miners  on  this  committee. 

J.  W.  Shields,  Osceola  Coal  Company,  and  M.  H.  Taylor  of 
Erie,  were  admitted. 

No  business  seemingly  being  before  the  convention.  Presi- 
dent Ratchford  moved  to  adjourn.  Secretary  Warner  offered 
the  following : 

Moved  that  a joint  committee  of  operators  and  miners  be 


508  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 

appointed  to  take  up  any  other  questions  of  interest,  their 
agreement  to  be  binding  upon  all  parties. 

Amended  that  at  all  mines  where  the  dead  work  scale  is 
not  paid  that  they  enforce  it. 

The  original  resolution  as  amended  was  voted  upon  and 
carried. 

Moved  that  the  joint  convention  adjourn.  Carried. 

Wm.  Warner,  Secretary. 

Miners  remained  in  session  to  hear  an  address  from  Presi- 
dent Ratchford. 

Delegates  having  run  of  mine,  46. 

With  screen,  37. 

Who  have  gone  back  to  screen  since  the  court  decision,  14. 

Moved  that  we  adjourn.  Carried. 

The  miners’  convention  came  to  order  at  10:10  a.  m.,  De- 
cember 22,  with  Vice-President  Edward  McKay  in  the  chair. 

President  Dolan  addressed  the  convention  upon  the  ques- 
tion of  support  for  the  New  York  and  Cleveland  Gas  Coal 
Company’s  strikers. 

Moved,  That  a committee  be  appointed  to  draft  resolu- 
tions covering  the  question.  Carried. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following;  John  Rae,  Chas.  Wal- 
lace, John  Campbell,  Hugh  McBryde,  William  Frew,  Andrew 
Ferry,  Julius  Dumont,  James  Watchorn,  Sam  Edwards. 

Moved,  That  the  price  fixed  by  the  National  Executive 
Board  and  the  committee  of  operators,  from  January  1 until 
the  inter-state  convention,  be  the  price. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following: 

Seeing  that  there  have  not  been  sufficient  funds  coming 
into  the  district  office  to  cany  on  the  strike  at  the  New  York 
& Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company’s  mines  to  a success,  therefore, 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  continue  the  strike  at  the  New  York  & 
Cleveland  Gas  Coal  Company’s  mines  and  pledge  ourselves  to 
support  the  same  and  a committee  of  strikers  be  appointed  to 
receive  the  funds  and  collect  them. 


Adjourned  for  dinner. 


Ninth  Annual  Convention  District  6 


509 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  reconvened  at  1 :20  p.  m. 

The  following  was  offered  by  Walter  Calverly : 

Whereas,  We  have  found  ourselves  confronted  with  the 
question  of  differential  as  between  the  thick  and  thin  vein  in 
the  Pittsburg  district,  and  after  carefully  discussing  the  mat- 
ter from  every  standpoint  conceivable,  but  yet  are  unable  to 
solve  the  problem,  and  are  satisfied  that  the  proper  place  to 
handle  this  question  is  at  the  proposed  interstate  convention ; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  question  be  referred  to  the  proposed 
convention  for  adjustment. 

Carried. 

Moved,  That  this  convention  recognizes  no  other  system 
but  run  of  mine  until  the  law  is  decided  by  the  supreme  court. 
Carried. 

Moved,  That  we  adjourn  sine  die. 

William  Warner,  Secretary. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

PROCEEDINGS— NINTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF 
DISTRICT  NUMBER  6. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  January  6,  1898. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Farms  at  10 
o’clock  a.  m. 

Owing  to  a number  of  the  delegates  not  bringing  creden- 
tials the  committee  on  credentials  were  not  ready  to  report; 
a recess  was  taken  until  11  o’clock  a.  m.  to  give  the  committee 
time  to  report. 

Convention  reconvened  at  11  a.  m.  and  President  Farms 
extended  the  delegates  a hearty  welcome,  and  expressed  the 
hope  that  the  delegates  would  be  calm  and  considerate  in  their 
deliberations. 

The  committee  on  credentials  was  then  called  upon  and 
reported  the  following  delegates  entitled  to  seats  in  the  con- 
vention: John  Perkins,  T.  L.  Lewis,  Frank  Johnson,  Jacob 


510 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Ashman,  Samuel  Wilson,  Joseph  Staley,  John  Jenkins,  David 
Wilson,  W.  C.  Scott,  William  Simons,  M.  G.  Flinn,  William  H. 
Worker,  W.  C.  Pearce,  John  Archibald,  M.  D.  Ratchford,  Jubal 
Tetlow,  Charles  Winchell,  John  Maloy,  W.  P.  Long,  Harrj'^ 
Charles,  Marion  Hull,  C.  L.  Kimes,  I.  N.  Coleman,  Henry 
Holterman,  James  McKee,  Val.  Cox,  D.  W.  Wallace,  Charles 
Aulton,  Thomas  Cole,  Z.  Emery,  Thos.  Taylor,  Frank  Chris- 
tian, Gwilim  Savage,  John  Warded,  Morris  Henshaw,  Owen 
F.  Murray,  John  Oakley,  Stephen  Kennedy,  Frank  O’Donnell, 
T.  R.  Jones,  John  Whelan,  Francis  K.  Minck,  John  Taylor, 
William  Morgan,  P.  H.  Friday,  Ed.  Graham,  D.  R.  Lewis,  Fred 
Powell,  P.  J.  Gorman,  J.  J.  Mossop,  Allen  Treaharn,  Richard 
Neason,  Jacob  Collins,  Conrad  Wein,  Jos.  Smart,  Alex.  John- 
son, J.  J.  Donnahue,  W.  J.  Carpman,  John  Thomas,  C.  W. 
Fisher,  Jas.  M.  Stewart,  Wm.  P.  Mullen,  Richard  Fitzgerald, 
Guard  Cady,  H.  A.  Fanning,  Geo.  Hamilton,  J.  D.  Gillilan, 
Edward  Abram,  George  Schackert,  S.  R.  Helm. 

After  a few  minor  corrections,  the  report  was  accepted  and 
committee  continued. 

President  Farms  then  appointed  the  following  committees : 

Order  of  Business — Richard  Neason,  W.  Friday,  William 
H.  Meeker,  William  Simons,  Joseph  Smart. 

Officers’  Reports — Dan  W.  Wallace,  John  Oakley,  T.  R. 
Jones,  John  Thomas. 

Grievance — J.  J.  Mossop,  G.  Savage,  Ed.  Graham,  Jacob 
Collins,  Joseph  Staley. 

Resolutions— W.  C.  Scott,  Fred  Powell,  Thomas  Cole,  J.  J. 
Gillilan,  James  M.  Stewart. 

Constitution — J.  H.  Barnes,  Alex.  Johnson,  James  McKee, 
S.  H.  Wilson,  P.  J.  Gorman. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Farms. 

After  the  report  of  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  busi- 
ness had  been  given  and  accepted.  President  Farms  reviewed 
the  situation  of  the  district.  A part  of  his  report  follows : 

On  December  28  to  31,  1896,  when  we  held  our  last  district 
convention,  the  mining  rate  in  Ohio  was  only  45  cents  a ton 


Ninth  Annual  Convention  District  6 


511 


pick  and  22i^  cents  per  ton  machine  mining.  On  January  1, 
1897,  this  price  was  advanced  to  51  cents  per  ton  pick  and  251/2 
cents  for  machine  mining.  On  February  6,  the  representa- 
tives of  the  General  Hocking  Coal  company  wired  me  from 
Columbus,  requesting  a conference  as  soon  as  possible.  Upon 
meeting  with  these  people  the  following  day,  or  February  7, 
we  were  given  the  names  of  forty  mines  located  in  the  thin 
vein  district  at  Pittsburg,  which  were  then  only  paying  54 
cents  a ton  instead  of  60  cents,  which  was  then  the  recognized 
Pittsburg  thin  vein  scale  rate.  We  were  very  politely  but 
most  positively  informed  that  unless  the  60-cent  rate  was  re- 
stored at  the  Pittsburg  mines  a cut  to  45  cents  a ton  would 
be  made  in  the  Hocking  Valley  to  meet  the  competition,  and  all 
of  you  know  that  a cut  in  the  Hocking  valley  meant  a cut  all 
over  the  state.  We  promised  that  we  would  give  the  matter 
our  careful  consideration,  and  at  once  called  the  attention  of 
the  national  officials  to  the  situation,  who,  be  it  said  to  their 
credit,  at  once  gave  the  matter  their  attention,  and  by  reason 
of  their  exertions  in  the  Pittsburg  district  the  mining  rate  of 
51  cents  was  preserved  in  Ohio. 

This  rate  remained  undisturbed  until  May  26,  when  I re- 
ceived the  following  letter : 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  25,  1897. 

W.  E.  Farms,  State  President,  United  Mine  Workers  of 

America. 

Dear  Sir ; From  information  in  our  possession  it  appears 
that  the  general  price  paid  for  mining  in  the  Pittsburg  thin 
vein  district  is  now  54  cents  a ton,  and  as  our  efforts  to  sell 
coal  from  the  Ohio  fields  are  comparatively  fruitless  on  ac- 
count of  the  relative  inequality  in  the  mining  price  would 
suggest  that  a conference  take  place  in  the  near  future  be- 
tween the  undersigned  committee,  yourself  and  Mr.  Ratch- 
ford,  for  the  purpose  of  endeavoring  to  arrange  a mutually 
satisfactory  solution  of  the  perplexing  question. 

Respectfully  yours, 

J.  S.  Morton, 

W.  R.  Woodford, 

Committee. 

Immediately  upon  receipt  of  this  letter  I called  at  the  na- 
tional^ office  and  held  a consultation  with  the  national  officers. 
At  this  conference  it  was  decided  that  I should  send  to  Messrs. 
Morton  and  Woodford  the  following  reply : 


512 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Columbus,  Ohio,  May  28,  1897, 

Messrs.  J.  S.  Morton,  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  W.  R.  Woodford, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  25th  inst.  received.  Reply- 
ing would  say  that  Mr.  Ratchford,  and  probably  Mr.  Kane  and 
myself,  will  be  pleased  to  meet  you  in  Columbus  any  day  you 
may  name  on  or  after  June  10,  1897.  Mr.  Ratchford  is  now  in 
Pittsburg  and  can  not  conveniently  meet  with  us  before  that 
time.  Will  this  proposition  suit  you?  Please  reply.  Yours 
respectfully,  W.  E.  Farms. 

On  June  2,  while  doing  other  business  with  Mr.  Morton 
in  his  office,  relative  to  mine  21  in  the  Sunday  Creek  district, 
June  15  was  mutually  agreed  upon  as  the  day  we  should  meet 
in  Columbus  and  discuss  the  situation.  On  this  date  President 
Ratchford  and  myself  met  the  operators’  committee,  and  in  the 
discussion  which  followed  they  (the  operators’  committee) 
represented  that  80  per  cent  of  the  thin  vein  mines  at  Pitts- 
burg were  then  only  paying  54  cents  a ton  instead  of  60  cents, 
which  at  that  time  was  the  Pittsburg  thin  vein  scale  rate. 
Neither  President  Ratchford  nor  myself  could  refute  or  gain- 
say what  they  said.  We  knew  it  was  true  and  merely  heard 
their  statements  and  promised  them  that  we  would  do  our 
best  to  bring  those  mines  up  to  scale  rates.  In  order  to  do 
this  we  asked  for  an  adjournment  to  June  25,  and  this  was 
agreed  to  by  the  committee.  On  June  25  we  again  met,  re- 
ported progress  made  in  the  Pittsburg  district,  heard  the 
operators’  committee’s  decision  that  the  45-cent  rate  would 
be  forced  in  Ohio  regardless  of  consequences,  and  again  ad- 
journed, this  time  without  date. 

We  at  once  explained  the  true  situation  to  the  national 
board  and  district  presidents,  who,  by  the  way,  had  been  in 
session  since  June  24,  After  a lengthy  discussion  by  those 
officials  of  the  whole  situation,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  to 
order  a national  suspension,  to  take  effect  July  4th,  for  the 
enforcement  of  the  scale  adopted  at  the  national  convention 
held  January  12  to  16,  1897. 

At  the  commencement  of  this  suspension  it  might  be  well 
to  state  that  we  had,  roughly  estimated,  organized  and  un- 
organized 21,000  miners  and  mine  laborers  in  the  Pittsburg 
district,  8,000  in  Indiana,  35,000  in  Illinois,  22,000  in  West 
Virginia,  and  25,000  in  Ohio,  not  including  the  miners  of  the 
Pomeroy  Bend,  making  a grand  total  of  111,000  miners  and 
mine  laborers  in  what  is  known  as  the  competitive  field.  Out 
of  this  vast  number  we  had  only  at  that  time  10,678  members, 
all  told,  in  good  standing,  in  the  national  organization.  The 
Pittsburg  district  had  1,975  members,  Indiana  626.  Illinois 
226,  West  Virginia,  75,  Ohio  7,697,  and  Iowa,  which  is  not  in 


Ninth  Annual  Convention  District  6 


513 


the  competitive  field,  had  79  members.  We  are  proud  of  Ohio 
— well  may  we  be  proud  of  her.  You  will  notice  that  she  had 
at  the  inauguration  of  the  suspension  over  two  and  a half 
times  as  many  members  in  good  standing  as  all  the  other  states 
combined  in  the  national  organization.  I trust  that  our  sister 
states  will  profit  by  the  position  of  the  Ohio  miners.  This 
suspension  lasted  from  July  4 until  September  11,  when  it  was 
called  off  by  a national  convention,  composed  of  all  those 
who  had  taken  part  in  the  struggle  (organized  and  unorgan- 
ized) on  a compromise  proposition,  the  price  agreed  to  being 
56  cents  a ton,  pick  mining,  and  28  cents  a ton,  machine  min- 
ing, for  Ohio,  with  a verbal  understanding  that  these  prices 
should  stand  until  January  1,  1898. 

On  June  21  we  were  forced  to  send  to  each  of  the  auditors, 
whose  duty  it  is  to  audit  the  books  of  the  secretary-treasurer 
semi-annually,  the  following  letter : 

“Bridgeport,  Ohio,  June  21,  1897. 
“Mr.  I.  N.  Coleman,  Auditor,  District  6,  U.  M.  W.  of  A., 

Nelsonville,  Ohio. 

“Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  Owing  to  the  present  financial 

condition  of  the  organization,  a direct  result  of  but  little  work, 
and  as  the  organization  is  in  debt  to  a considerable  amount, 
we  think  it  best  to  postpone  the  auditing'  of  the  books  until 
the  regular  annual  audit,  when  you  will  be  notified  to  meet 
in  sufficient  time  before  the  annual  convention  to  audit  the 
books  and  examine  credentials  as  per  Article  VII,  sections  3 
and  5,  constitution  of  District  6,  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America. 

“We  arrived  at  this  conclusion  only  as  a matter  of  neces- 
sity, and  we  believe  it  to  be  the  best  interests  of  the  organiza- 
tion at  this  time  to  not  make  a public  statement  of  our  condi- 
tion. With  best  wishes  we  are  yours  fraternally, 

“W.  E.  Farms, 

“T.  L.  Lewis.” 

We  have  organized  many  new  locals  and  reinstated  many 
old  ones,  the  most  important  accession  made  to  our  organiza- 
tion during  the  year  being  the  2,100  miners  of  the  Massillon 
district,  who,  on  November  4th,  through  their  representatives 
assembled  at  Massillon,  decided  almost  unanimously  to  return 
to  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  in  a body.  They  had 
not  been  connected  with  the  organization  for  over  two  years. 

Strikes. 

We  have  only  had  a few  local  strikes  during  the  year.  A 
history  of  these,  we  believe,  could  not  be  of  interest  to  you 
at  this  time,  further  than  to  say  that  all,  or  nearly  all,  were 


514 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


settled  amicably  and  generally  to  the  satisfaction  of  our  peo- 
ple. Especially  is  this  true  of  the  one  at  Coshocton,  November 
18  to  22,  where  the  miners  received  a considerable  advance  by 
being  brought  up  to  scale  rates. 

Recommendations. 

I would  recommend  that  where  convenient  our  miners 
form  valley,  county,  or  competitive  delegations.  This,  I think, 
should  be  encouraged  by  both  miners  and  operators,  as  it 
would,  in  my  opinion,  tend  to  maintain  uniform  prices  and 
conditions  throughout  the  entire  competitive  districts  and  be 
the  means  of  preventing  local  strikes  by  giving  one  operator 
no  undue  advantage  over  another. 

I would  also  recommend  that  that  part  of  the  constitu- 
tion making  it  obligatory  for  relapsed  locals  to  pay  three 
months’  dues  for  reinstatement  be  changed.  I believe  it  would 
be  to  the  interest  of  the  organization  that  they  should  be  ad- 
mitted by  paying  dues  from  the  beginning  of  the  month  in 
which  they  are  reinstated. 

If  we  had,  what  we  have  not,  namely,  an  organization  with 
every  miner  and  mine  laborer  in  the  competitive  field  enrolled 
on  the  membership  sheet,  nothing  could,  in  my  opinion,  gain 
and  maintain  for  us  “a  fair  day’s  wage  for  a fair  day’s  labor” 
better  than  a well-regulated  restrictive  system  among  our 
miners,  but  in  the  present  state  of  our  organization  for  us  to 
adopt  a restrictive  measure,  allowing  all  the  organization 
miners  throughout  the  country  working  as  they  please,  I fear 
it  would  do  us  but  little  if  any  good.  Those  who  would  be 
most  benefited  by  us  taking  such  action  would  be  the  un- 
organized miners  from  the  increased  amount  of  work  they 
would  receive.  On  account  of  this  the  general  markets,  in  my 
opinion,  would  not  be  materially  affected.  What  we  want 
first  is  a complete  and  a well  disciplined  organization.  This 
once  secured  “restriction”  would  work  to  perfection.  Then  we 
could  recommend  many  things  which  would  accomplish  for 
our  miners  much  good. 

In  the  meantime  it  is  our  duty  to  make  our  organization 
perfect,  or  as  near  perfect  as  possible.  When  this  is  accomp- 
lished we  can  apply  “restriction”  in  the  true  and  fullest  sense 
of  the  word,  either  by  reducing  the  number  of  days  worked 
each  week,  or  the  number  of  hours  w^orked  each  day,  or  both, 
as  it  might  be  deemed  wise.  Restriction,  properly  applied, 
is  a sure  method  to  improve  our  condition  and  secure  for  us 
better  wages.  In  the  meantime  and  until  our  organization 
is  nearer  perfect  I think  every  miner  and  mine  laborer,  and 
working  men  everywhere,  should  make  every  effort  in  their 
power  to  reasonably  restrict  or  prohibit,  if  necessaiy,  immi- 


Ninth  Annual  Convention  District  6 


515 


gration  to  this  country  for  a long  number  of  years;  long 
enough,  at  least,  to  give  our  craft  and  the  crafts  of  working- 
men generally  throughout  the  country,  time  to  get  in  a more 
healthy  condition  than  they  have  been  for  years  past. 

President  Farms  closed  his  report  with  the  following 
statement : 

My  relations  with  all  officers  and  members  of  the  organ- 
ization have  been,  and  are  now,  the  most  friendly.  I have, 
upon  numerous  occasions,  received  very  valuable  aid  and  as- 
sistance from  them.  I take  this  opportunity  of  returning  my 
sincere  thanks  to  all.  Before  closing  I desire  to  say  that  I 
have  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances  aimed  to  do  my 
duty  as  best  I could,  and  as  I have  understood  it  in  the  interest 
of  our  miners,  and  now  at  the  end  of  my  term  of  office  I beg 
leave  to  return  to  you  with  thanks  the  trust  that  you  one  year 
ago  confided  to  my  keeping,  hoping  that  every  word  spoken 
and  every  action  taken  may  l3ear  the  seal  of  your  approval. 

Fraternally  yours, 

W.  E.  Farms. 

Vice-President  Haskins  made  a brief  verbal  report  in  which 
he  said  he  was  unable  to  perform  greater  work  as  vice-presi- 
dent. 

, secretary-treasurer’s  report. 

Fellow  Delegates — In  submitting  to  you,  and  through  you 
to  the  members  of  our  organization  a report  of  my  services 
for  the  past  year,  I do  so  with  a feeling  of  gratification  that 
District  6 is  able  to  meet  in  convention  with  such  a large 
representation. 

When  we  adjourned  at  the  last  annual  convention  it  was 
with  some  apprehension  as  to  what  the  future  had  in  store. 
We  had  at  that  time  a membership  of  6,900,  divided  among 
67  local  unions,  and  an  indebtedness  of  $436.24,  with  little 
prospect  of  being  able  to  increase  our  membership,  owing  to 
the  feeling  that  prevailed  among  our  craft  that  the  organiza- 
tion was  unable  to  do  anything  to  benefit  the  miners  of  Ohio. 
All  things  considered,  it  was  anything  but  a bright  future 
that  confronted  the  officials  of  the  organization  January  1, 
1897. 

We  are  proud  to  be  able  to  report  a decided  change  for  the 
better,  as  we  have  now  sufficient  funds  with  the  receipts  in 
hand  to  wipe  out  our  indebtedness,  and  have  a membership  in 
good  standing  of  14,000,  divided  among  154  local  unions  in 
this  state. 

I herewith  submit  a summary  of  the  financial  transactions 
of  the  organization  during  the  term  just  closed. 


516 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Receipts. 

Balance  cash  on  hand  December  25,  1896 $4.13 

Receipts,  term  ending  December  31,  1897 3,974.44 


Total  $3,978.57 

Expenditures. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  balance  due $144.69 

T.  W.  Davis,  balance  on  accoimt 71.66 

W.  E.  Farms,  salary 720.00 

W.  E.  Farms,  expenses,  91/2  months 558.70 

W.  H.  Haskins,  salary  600.00 

W.  H.  Haskins,  expenses  103.25 

T.  L.  Lewis,  balance  due 92.80 

T.  L.  Lewis,  salary  752.20 

T.  L.  Lewis,  expenses  154.70 

C.  H.  Smith,  expenses.  Board  Member 31.95 

James  McKee,  expenses.  Board  Member 29.15 

H.  A.  Banning,  expenses.  Board  Member 23.88 

J.  H.  Barnes,  expenses.  Board  Member 33.85 

S.  H.  Wilson,  expenses.  Board  Member 31.30 

R.  A.  Pollock,  expenses.  Board  Member  34.70 

Wm.  H.  Werker,  expenses,  Board  Member 8.20 

I.  N.  Coleman,  auditor  20.05 

L.  D.  Devore,  auditor 22.00 

N.  P.  Curran,  auditor 20.50 

Geo.  Schackert,  delegate-at-large 25.95 

J.  J.  Mossop,  service 7.50 

James  M.  Stewart,  service I 3.00 

Richard  Neason,  service 6.00 

Joseph  Sanderson 10.00 

W.  C.  Pearce,  dues  refimded 2.66 

Rent  for  halls,  offices  and  fuel 106.30 

Printing  55.35 

Supplies  9.95 

Postage,  telegrams,  etc. 135.23 


Total  $3,978.57 

Relief  Fund. 

Balance  on  hand  December  31,  1896 $267.27 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  379  24.00 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  7 20.43 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  857  10.00 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  377  30.00 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  379  22.00 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  203  10.00 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  359  53.00 

Received  of  Local  Union  No.  13  10.00 


Total  $446.70 

Paid  to  Wm.  Phelps  for  Wellston  miners $75.00 

Refunded  to  Local  Union  No.  385  by  order  convention 52.90 

Refunded  to  Local  Union  No.  377  by  order  convention 55.00 


Ninth  Annual  Convention  District  6 


517 


Refunded  to  Local  Union  No.  971  by  order  convention 108.40 

Balance  cash  on  hand  155.40 

Total  $446.70 


Trusting  and  believing  that  the  deliberations  of  this  con- 
vention will  be  productive  of  much  good  to  our  craft,  and 
thanking  my  official  associates  and  the  miners  generally  for 
their  uniform  kindness  toward  me,  I am,  fraternally  yours, 

T.  L.  Lewis. 

Secretary  Lewis  suggested  that  the  auditing  committee 
make  its  report  before  the  election  of  officers  takes  place. 

Motion,  That  the  order  of  business  be  suspended  and  the 
auditing  committee  make  its  report.  Carried. 

Report  of  auditing  committee: 

“We,  your  auditing  committee,  examined  the  books  and  all 
bills  and  found  them  properly  itemized  and  all  accounts  in 
good  shape.’^  Signed  by  committee. 

Motion,  That  report  of  auditing  committee  be  accepted. 
Carried. 

Election  of  officers : 

President  appointed  W.  H.  Werker  and  S.  R.  Helm  tellers. 

Committee  on  credentials  made  a further  report  which  was 
adopted. 

Officers  elected:  William  E.  Farms,  president;  vice-presi- 
dent, W.  H.  Haskins ; secretary-treasurer,  T.  L.  Lewis. 

Secretary  Lewis  being  called  upon  for  a few  remarks,  re- 
sponded briefly,  expressing  his  appreciation  of  the  honor  con- 
ferred and  said  that  he  would  in  the  future  as  in  the  past 
strive  to  do  his  duty. 

Convention  adjourned. 

FRIDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Farms  at  8:30 

a.  m. 

Auditors  elected : I.  N.  Coleman,  C.  L.  Kimes,  John  H. 

Barnes. 

Executive  board  members : Sub-district  No.  1,  R.  J.  Jones, 
Orbiston;  Sub-district  No.  2,  S.  H.  Wilson,  Jackson;  Sub-dis- 
trict No.  3,  P.  J.  Gorman,  North  Lawrence ; Sub-district  No.  4, 
Jacob  Ashman,  East  Palestine;  Sub-district  No.  5,  William  H. 


518 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Werker,  Mineral  Point;  Sub-district  No.  6,  John  Hood,  Byes- 
ville. 

Motion  that  the  convention  ratify  the  election  of  executive 
board  made  by  the  various  sub-districts.  Carried. 

On  roll  call  for  an  expression  of  vie'ws  as  to  the  feeling 
of  their  constituents  on  the  questions  of  machine  mining  rates, 
differentials  between  Ohio  and  the  Pittsburg  district  and  an 
advance  on  mining  rates,  the  majority  of  delegates  were  either 
instructed  to  ask  for  an  advance  or  given  discretionary  power 
to  act  as  their  best  judgment  dictated. 

Resolutions  were  introduced  and  acted  upon,  changing  the 
statute  law  in  Ohio  to  reduce  the  distance  between  break- 
throughs from  60  to  40  feet,  favoring  the  suspension  of  any 
mine  where  the  operator  has  broken  any  part  of  the  scale 
after  it  has  been  signed,  until  the  officers  have  had  time  to 
investigate.  That  no  outside  day  laborer  should  do  work 
detrimental  to  the  miners,  and  vice  versa,  and  that  all  or- 
dained ministers  of  the  gospel  be  carried  free  of  all  assess- 
ments and  dues. 

Meeting  adjourned. 

FRIDAY  AFTERNOON. 

At  the  afternoon  session  numerous  grievances  were  pre- 
sented by  the  grievance  committee  owing  to  the  violation  of 
agreements  entered  into  in  Sub-district  No.  1,  where  it  had 
been  jointly  agreed  that  two  machine  men  should  have  two 
rooms,  and  on  the  docking  system  as  practiced  in  the  Sunday 
Creek  valley. 

Motion,  The  regular  order  of  business  be  suspended  to 
hear  from  National  President  Ratchford.  Carried. 

President  Ratchford  began  his  address  by  complimenting 
the  Ohio  miners,  and  predicted  the  largest  assemblage  of 
miners  to  meet  next  week  that  have  yet  assembled  anywhere 
in  the  United  States.  He  then  briefly  reviewed  the  history  of 
the  organization  during  the  last  year,  hurriedly  sketching  the 
events  as  they  happened,  explaining  one  action  after  another, 
and  promising  a more  detailed  statement  to  the  national  con- 
vention next  week,  which,  of  course,  will  appear  in  the  Journal 
so  that  the  membership  will  have  an  opportunity  to  become 
familiar  with  all  phases  of  the  question. 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


519 


President  Ratchford  closed  with  advising  the  miners  to 
remain  firm  to  their  trade  organization,  and  predicted,  if  they 
did  so,  a more  prosperous  era  for  all  concerned. 

Secretary  Pearce  was  called  upon  and  spoke  briefly,  con- 
trasting the  conditions  of  some  years  ago  with  the  recent  past 
and  explained  what  in  his  judgment  should  be  the  policy  of 
the  membership  towards  the  organization  at  all  times,  saying 
that  it  was  a conceded  fact  that  nothing  had  been  obtained 
but  by  organization. 

Convention  adjourned. 

SATURDAY  MORNING. 

After  the  convention  had  been  called  to  order  by  Presi- 
dent Farms,  questions  were  discussed  and  resolutions  passed 
on  day  wages,  the  enactment  of  a law  providing  for  the  weigh- 
ing of  coal  before  being  screened ; an  advance  on  mining  rates, 
on  checking  off  dues  and  amending  the  constitution;  an  ex- 
pression of  thanks  to  all  that  had  contributed  to  the  support  of 
Ohio  miners;  and  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

W.  E.  Farms,  President. 

T.  L.  Lewis,  Secretary. 

NINTH  NATIONAL  ANNUAL  CONVENTION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  January  11,  1898. 

The  opening  session  of  the  ninth  annual  convention  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America  was  rapped  to  order 
promptly  at  10  o’clock  by  President  Ratchford,  while  Secre- 
tary Pearce  was  at  his  desk.  After  order  had  been  obtained 
and  a few  preliminary  remarks  were  made,  the  president  read 
the  call  for  the  convention. 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Ratchford  and  Pearce  in  their  respective  positions. 

The  report  of  the  credential  committee  being  called  for, 
it  was  read. 

Motion,  That  report  of  committee  be  adopted  so  far  as  read 
with  necessary  corrections.  Adopted. 

Delegates  requested  that,  inasmuch  as  we  were  still  wait- 
ing for  the  credentials  committee  report,  the  following 


520 


United  Mine  Workers  of  ‘America 


be  requested  to  address  the  convention : P.  McBryde, 

Cameron  Miller,  George  Harris,  Chris  Evans  and  John  Fahy. 
They  all  complied  and  made  remarks  complimenting  the  or- 
ganization both  local  and  national,  after  which  Mr.  Henry 
Fisher  of  the  National  Tobacco  Workers’  Union,  was  intro- 
duced and  spoke  briefly  of  their  struggle  with  the  tobacco 
trust,  who  are  trying  to  monopolize  the  tobacco  business  of 
the  country  to  the  detriment  of  organized  labor.  He  flnished 
by  requesting  the  mine  workers  to  patronize  tobaccos  bearing 
the  union  label. 

President  Ratchford  announced  the  following  committees : 

Credentials — Edward  McKay,  Pennsylvania;  W.  C.  Scott, 
Ohio ; P.  J.  Keenan,  Illinois. 

Order  of  Business — H.  Stephenson,  West  Virginia;  G.  Sav- 
age, Ohio ; Alex  Ferguson,  Indiana. 

Distribution — Thomas  Burke,  Illinois;  S.  C.  Harless,  West 
Virginia;  Daniel  Jones,  Pennsylvania. 

Officers’  Reports — David  Wilson,  Ohio;  Evan  Davis,  Indi- 
ana; P.  J.  Keenan,  Illinois;  Thomas  Cole,  Ohio;  John  Fahy, 
Pennsylvania. 

Resolutions — J.  H.  Kennedy,  Indiana;  John  Mitchell,  Illi- 
nois; William  H.  Haskins,  Ohio;  P.  McGowan,  Pennsylvania; 
M.  V.  White,  West  Virginia. 

Constitution — Chris  Evans,  Ohio;  Samuel  Anderson,  Indi- 
ana; W.  D.  Ryan,  Illinois;  William  Warner,  Pennsylvania; 
W.  Taylor,  West  Virginia. 

Scale — W.  G.  Knight,  Indiana ; J.  M.  Hunter,  Illinois ; T.  L. 
Lewis,  Ohio;  P.  Dolan,  Pennsylvania;  H.  Stephenson,  West 
Virginia;  Warren  Wilson,  Pennsylvania;  Geo.  Schackert, 
Ohio;  John  Morgan,  Indiana  (block  coal  district)  ; Eli  Mott, 
Indiana  (bituminous  district)  ; John  Green,  Illinois;  Frank 
McDonald,  West  Virginia. 

Grievances — George  Harris,  Pennsylvania;  John  H. 
Barnes,  Ohio;  Pat.  Maughan,  Indiana;  William  Scaife,  Illi- 
nois; R.  A.  Kramer,  West  Virginia. 

The  special  committee  who  w^ere  instructed  to  see  about 
another  hall,  reported  that  they  had  been  to  see  the  city 
authorities  and  had  secured  the  use  of  the  city  hall  for  the 
balance  of  the  week  without  cost.  The  credential  committee 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


521 


then  made  their  report,  after  which  the  convention  adjourned 
to  meet  in  the  city  hall  on  Wednesday  morning. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order. 

At  9 a.  m.,  city  hall.  President  Ratchford  in  the  chair. 
Secretary  Pearce  at  the  desk. 

Motion,  That  the  report  of  committee  on  credentials  be 
received  and  committee  continued.  Adopted. 

Secretary  Pearce,  at  this  point,  read  the  minutes  of  the 
previous  day’s  session,  and  the  necessary  corrections  being 
made,  they  were  adopted. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business 
was  as  follows : 

We,  your  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business,  re- 
spectfully submit  the  following  to  the  consideration  of  the 
convention : 

1.  The  convention  shall  be  called  to  order  at  9 a.  m.  and 
will  adjourn  at  12  m.,  reconvene  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  adjourn 
at  5 p.  m. 

2.  No  member  of  the  convention  shall  speak  more  than 
once  on  the  same  question  until  all  who  desire  to  speak  shall 
be  heard.  Speeches  shall  be  limited  to  five  minutes,  and  no 
one  shall  be  allowed  the  floor  more  than  twice,  except  by  con- 
sent of  the  majority. 

3.  The  roll  of  delegates  shall  not  be  called  on  any  question 
except  by  the  request  of  ten  or  more  delegates. 

4.  Report  of  committee  on  credentials. 

5.  Report  of  officers. 

6.  Election  of  officers. 

7.  Report  of  auditing  committee. 

8.  Report  of  committee  on  grievances. 

9.  Report  of  committee  on  officers’  reports. 

10.  Report  of  committee  on  constitution. 

11.  Report  of  committee  on  resolutions. 

12.  Miscellaneous  business. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

H.  Stephenson, 

G.  Savage, 

Alexander  Ferguson, 

Committee. 


522 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Motion,  That  the  rules  be  suspended  and  we  hear  the  re- 
port of  officers.  Adopted. 

President  Ratchford  then  called  W.  G.  Knight,  of  Indiana, 
to  the  chair  and  proceeded  to  read  his  address. 

PRESIDENT  RATCHFORD’S  ADDRESS  IN  PART. 

Columbus,  0.,  Jan.  11,  1898. 

To  the  Delegates  of  the  Ninth  Annual  Convention,  United 

Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Comrades  and  Fellow  Workers : 

As  executive  officer  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, I deem  it  both  a duty  and  pleasure  to  report  to  this  our 
ninth  annual  convention,  a resume  of  the  work  for  the  past 
year.  A duty  because  of  the  requirements  of  my  position  and 
of  the  custom  so  well  established ; a pleasure  because  our  trade 
history  shines  brilliantly  with  the  victories  and  achievements 
of  1897,  which,  I am  glad  to  say,  enables  me  to  report  the 
greatest  progress  ever  made  during  our  organized  existence. 
Before  doing  so,  however,  it  is  but  proper  that  your  earnest 
attention  should  be  called  to  the  very  great  importance  of  this 
convention. 

For  years  and  even  for  generations  past  the  Mine  Workers 
of  this  country  have  held  many  large  and  important  gather- 
ings. The  brain  and  brawn  of  our  fellow-workers  have  oft 
combined  to  wrestle  with  the  vexed  problems  of  a cruel  in- 
dustrial system,  but  never  in  the  history  of  our  trade  was 
there  a gathering  of  representative  men  equal  in  numbers 
and  intelligence,  or  with  a greater  constituency  behind  them. 
Never  before  were  the  questions  with  which  you  will  have 
to  deal  of  greater  moment,  greater  importance,  than  those 
of  today.  With  a full  realization  of  this  fact  indelibly  stamped 
upon  your  mind,  I feel  safe  in  resting  the  destinies  of  the 
Mine  Workers  in  your  hands,  feeling  assured  that  their  best 
interests  will  be  guarded  and  protected,  and  that  you  are 
still  mindful  of  the  achievements  of  the  past  year  notwith- 
standing that  the  wrongs  of  labor  yet  remain  to  be  righted; 
that  the  cruelties  and  fallacies  of  the  age,  to  which  the  con- 
dition of  the  workers  bear  testimony,  must  be  eradicated,  and 
that  labor  must  apply  the  remedy  or  suffer  the  cruelties  to 
exist.  In  this  I know  you  will  guard  against  two  dangerous 
extremes,  both  of  which  are  equally  inimical  to  your  best  in- 
terests. 

Recent  victories  should  not  inspire  false  hopes  which  may 
lead  to  the  making  of  extravagant  demands  that  cannot  be 
gained.  Nor  must  the  defeats  and  disasters  of  past  years 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


523 


check  or  deter  you  from  demanding  in  reason  that  which  you 
so  fully  and  justly  deserve. 

ORGANIZATION  ONE  YEAR  AGO. 

At  our  last  annual  convention,  when  myself  and  colleagues, 
whom  you  had  chosen,  were  charged  with  the  important  work 
devolving  upon  us,  we  found  an  organization  that  was  but  a 
mere  shadow;  its  membership  was  smaller,  perhaps,  than  at 
any  time  in  its  existence,  and  its  treasury  almost  hopelessly 
in  debt.  Wages  were  below  the  living  point,  and  the  condi- 
tions of  employment  were  practically  named  by  the  employ- 
ers. In  fact,  our  helplessness  seemed  so  apparent  that  the 
theorists  and  faddists  in  our  own  trade  exclaimed:  “I  told 

you  so,”  “Trades  unions  are  no  good,”  and  the  hostile  operator 
feeling  that  his  dreams  and  ambitions  were  more  than  real- 
ized, hailed  the  news  of  our  dissolution  with  pleasure,  silently 
exulting  in  the  hope  that  dissolution  meant  eternal  death,  and 
the  realization  of  his  dreams  and  ambitions,  the  oppression 
of  the  working  poor. 

Under  such  circumstances  you  can  appreciate  the  difficul- 
ties besetting  our  pathway.  The  ills  of  the  trade  could  not  be 
cured  by  argument  alone.  Facts,  without  force,  have  never 
righted  a single  wrong,  and  never  will  until  the  hearts  of  men 
are  open  to  conviction. 

Convention  Resolved  for  Advance. 

One  year  ago,  in  regular  annual  session,  you  resolved  for 
an  advance  in  wages  of  15  per  cent  for  pick  mining,  over  the 
prices  then  ruling  in  the  Pittsburg  district;  and  also  an  ad- 
vance for  machine  mining  largely  in  excess  of  this  amount, 
with  a proportionate  increase  for  pick  and  machine  in  all 
other  districts  of  the  central  competitive  coal  field. 

The  time  to  enforce  such  demands,  in  your  judgment,  was 
then  unseasonable,  trade  conditions  were  extremely  dull  and  a 
strike  would  prove  disastrous.  You,  therefore,  after  due  con- 
sideration, rested  your  claims  in  the  hands  of  your  executive 
board  and  district  presidents,  with  orders  that  were  clear  and 
distinct,  to  execute  and  enforce  the  same  when  the  opportune 
moment  arrived. 

Such  action  had  not  long  been  taken  when  prices  began  to 
fall,  the  employers  acting  upon  the  theory,  that  if  the  time 
was  unseasonable  for  the  miners  to  enforce  an  advance,  it  was 
also  unseasonable  to  resist  a reduction.  Prompted  by  the  in- 
human motive,  warfare,  local  in  its  character,  but  as  surely 
general  in  its  effects,  was  inaugrated  against  mining  prices,  t 
until  the  rate  in  the  Pittsburg  district,  which  district  has 
been,  and  is  yet,  the  base  of  our  trouble,  fell  from  60  to  47 


524 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


cents,  though  the  rate  generally  prevailing  was  54  cents  per 
ton.  Meanwhile  our  position  as  to  prices  remained  un- 
changed. Our  demand,  as  stated,  was  for  15  per  cent,  based 
on  Pittsburg  district,  or  9 cents  per  ton  over  January  prices. 
It  was  now,  by  reason  of  the  reduction,  for  27  7-9  per  cent,  or 
15  cents  per  ton  over  existing  prices,  while  the  advance  ulti- 
mately gained  was  a fraction  more  than  20  1-3  per  cent,  or 
nearly  51/2  per  cent  more  than  our  original  demand,  while  in 
other  districts  the  percentage  of  advance  was  much  larger 
owing  to  the  variation  in  prices. 

Conditions  in  the  various  districts  are  best  described  in 
the  following  circular  letter  to  the  members  of  the  national 
executive  board  and  district  presidents  under  date  of  June 
7 ; after  it  had  been  demonstrated  beyond  doubt  that  no  ad- 
vance could  be  gained  by  conciliation  or  other  conservative 
methods,  and  that  there  was  nothing  to  choose  from  but  star- 
vation and  degradation,  or  the  horrors  and  dangers  of  the 
strike. 

On  June  7,  1897,  President  Ratchford  issued  a circular  in 
which  he  explained,  in  full,  the  reasons  for  failure  to  secure 
increased  rates  for  mining,  quoting  the  resolutions  referred 
to  the  miners,  that  were  adopted  at  the  late  convention.  The 
prices  acted  upon  follow : 

The  price  per  ton  for  pick  mining  shall  be  69  cents  in 
Pennsylvania,  60  cents  in  Hocking  Valley,  60  cents  in  Indiana, 
55  cents  in  the  Grape  Creek  district,  and  the  mining  rate  of 
1894  for  the  balance  of  Illinois. 

Price  per  ton  for  loading,  drilling  and  shooting  after  ma- 
chines, in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  Illinois,  three-fifths  of  the 
pick  mining  rate;  and  for  Indiana,  four-fifths;  prices  for  all 
other  machine  work  shall  advance  in  proportion. 

The  time  when  the  scale  shall  go  into  effect  to  be  left  with 
the  national  executive  board  and  district  presidents. 

The  president’s  report  further  stated  that  at  a meeting 
held  at  national  headquarters,  June  26-27,  after  a full  and 
careful  consideration  of  all  questions  involved,  it  was  declared 
that  the  strike  should  take  effect  on  the  morning  of  July 
4,  1897. 

After  depicting  the  horrors  of  deprivation,  camping  by  the 
wayside  without  food  or  shelter,  under  the  surveillance  of 
armed  deputies,  and  innocent  children  asking  for  bread,  the 
president  commended  the  noble  work  of  the  women  to  whom 


President  Ratchford’s  Address 


525 


he  said  the  success  of  the  strike  was  due  in  no  small  measure. 
He  also  commended  the  miners  for  having  conducted  the 
strike  without  destroying  human  life  and  property ; for  twelve 
weeks  three-quarters  of  a million  souls  had  struck  and 
starved,  but  stood  for  law  and  order  to  the  end. 

President  Ratchford  called  special  attention  to  the  invalu- 
able assistance  given  by  organized  labor  and  its  friends  every- 
where, and  particularly  by  the  American  Federation  of  Labor 
and  affiliated  bodies,  stating  that  President  Gompers,  the  ex- 
ecutive council,  as  well  as  the  executives  of  the  various 
national  and  international  unions,  were  untiring  in  their 
efforts,  cheerfully  contributed  time  and  money,  without  which 
we  were  surely  doomed  to  degradation  and  defeat. 

On  the  settlement  of  the  strike,  he  said,  during  the  heat  of 
the  battle,  the  employers  had  made  statements  through  the 
public  press  that  he  had  declined  arbitration.  This  charge  he 
branded  as  false,  but  rejected  the  basis  and  principles  upon 
which  arbitration  was  offered. 

On  September  2,  there  was  a meeting  of  the  National  Ex- 
ecutive Board  and  district  presidents  with  the  Pittsburg  op- 
erators, when  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  recommend  the 
acceptance  of  the  highest  rate  obtainable,  which  was  65  cents 
per  ton  based  upon  thin  vein  of  the  Pittsburg  district. 

At  a convention  held  later,  of  organized  and  unorganized 
miners,  there  was  a difference  of  views  expressed  at  the  set- 
tlement made,  some  taking  the  position  that  better  conditions 
could  have  been  secured  by  an  extension  of  the  strike  a few 
days  longer,  while  others  characterized  the  settlement  as  a 
district  affair  and  said  that  it  would  leave  everybody  in  the 
cold  excepting  the  Pittsburg  miners.  Concluding  his  remarks 
on  the  strike  and  its  adjustment.  President  Ratchford  said: 
“Time  is  a good  vindicator  of  many  things,  but  there  is  noth- 
ing that  has  been  more  fully  and  fairly  proven  by  time  than 
the  wisdom  of  your  officers’  advice  on  September  last.  From 
east  to  west,  and  north  to  south,  the  miners  have  stamped  it 
with  the  seal  of  approval,  which  is  the  greatest  and  surest  in- 
dorsement that  our  actions  could  possibly  receive.” 

Speaking  of  the  joint  interstate  convention,  he  said : “One 
of  the  greatest  achievements  of  the  past  year  is  an  agreement 


526 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


recently  made  between  your  executive  board  and  district  pres- 
idents and  the  operators  of  the  competitive  coal  fields  provid- 
ing for  a joint  convention  in  the  city  of  Chicago  on  January 
17,  for  the  purpose  of  formulating  a wage  scale  and  the  mak- 
ing of  an  annual  contract  by  mutual  agreement.” 

On  advising  the  erection  of  a monument  to  John  Kane, 
late  vice  president,  after  eulogizing  in  most  endearing  terms 
the  lovable  character  he  possessed,  said  “I  would  therefore 
recommend  that  you  appropriate  sufficient  money  from  the 
treasury  of  our  organization  to  build  a monument  to  his  mem- 
ory, and  that  you  place  the  matter  in  charge  of  a special  com- 
mittee, who  will  have  it  properly  inscribed  and  erected  with- 
out delay.” 

On  an  advance  in  mining  rates  he  said  the  market  was  in 
a healthy  condition  and  a reasonable  advance  could  be  secured 
without  the  necessity  of  a strike  if  affairs  are  properly 
handled,  and  that  there  never  was  a time  when  crj^stalized 
public  opinion  so  fully  indorsed  the  justice  of  our  claims,  or 
when  employers  were  so  ready  to  concede  the  eight  hour 
workday. 

On  legislation,  he  said  more  mining  legislation  had  been 
secured  than  in  any  former  year.  This,  he  said,  was  especially 
true  of  Illinois  and  Pennsylvania.  He  advised  against  legisla- 
tion that  deprives  us  of  our  natural  rights  such  as  that  which 
sustains  the  infamous  un-American  injunction  which  forbids 
working  men  from  joining  in  peaceable  assemblage. 

The  change  of  headquarters,  he  thought,  all  things  consid- 
ered, was  justified.  He  favored  the  support  of  union  labor 
and  the  purchasing  of  all  goods  made  by  union  men  and 
women.  The  defense  fund,  he  said,  if  properly  cared  for  and 
handled,  will  be  the  greatest  safe-guard  against  strikes,  local 
and  general. 

He  said  the  Journal  is  now  an  inseparable  part  of  our  or- 
ganization and  its  influence  should  be  further  extended. 

On  the  dissolution  of  “Independent  Order  of  National 
Trades  Assembly  No.  135,  Knights  of  Labor,”  he  said  he  knew 
the  convention  would  exercise  the  greatest  caution  against  en- 
tangling alliances,  and  at  the  same  time  go  as  far  as  consist- 
ency and  trade  interests  will  allow. 


President  Ratchford’s  Address 


527 


On  Board  Meetings  and  Organizers,  he  said : 

During  the  year  four  meetings  of  the  executive  board  and 
district  presidents  were  held  in  addition  to  those  that  followed 
our  conventions  in  January  and  September.  All  members 
were  in  the  field  during  the  strike,  and  since  that  time  those  of 
them  who  were  free  to  give  the  national  organization  their 
services  were  retained  and  are  still  in  the  field.  Some  of  them, 
as  you  are  aware,  are  serving  in  a double  capacity  as  presi- 
dent or  secretary  of  their  respective  districts,  and  therefore 
cannot  do  field  work  excepting  in  an  emergency. 

At  the  close  of  the  general  strike  three  organizers,  Messrs. 
Hunter,  Keenan  and  Mitchell,  were  placed  in  the  Illinois  field 
by  the  executive  board  to  assist  the  officers  of  that  district  in 
their  home  fight.  Mr.  Hunter  soon  after  was  elected  to  the 
presidency  of  his  state.  Mr.  Keenan  retired  from  service  when 
the  home  strike  was  won,  and  Mr.  Mitchell  retained  in  the  | 
field,  where  he  is  still  serving. . Chris  Evans  and  W.  H.  Tur- 
ner, of  Ohio,  and  Geo.  Harris,  of  Pennsylvania,  were  in  the 
field  during  the  strike,  and,  like  the  others,  did  excellent  work. 
Mr.  Evans  and  Mr.  Harris  have  been  commissioned  as  organi- 
zers and  are  also  retained. 

In  concluding  my  report,  which  is  already  too  lengthy,  ow- 
ing to  the  many  different  subjects  touched  upon,  I desire  to 
briefly  express  my  most  sincere  thanks  to  you,  and  through 
you,  to  the  miners  everywhere  for  the  hearty  co-operation 
given,  and  for  the  courtesy  with  which  I have  been  received  at 
all  times,  and  in  all  places  which  I have  visited. 

For  my  colleagues  on  the  executive  board,  as  well  as  the 
district  presidents  and  others  whom  I have  met,  I have  but 
the  warmest  feeling  of  respect  and  admiration.  They  were 
ever  ready  to  respond  to  the  call  of  duty,  always  diligent  and 
faithful  in  their  work,  and  like  myself,  you  may  be  assured 
that  whatever  walk  of  life  they  may  hereafter  be  placed  in, 
they  will  always  remember  you  in  kindness,  and  carry  with 
them  to  the  end  of  life  memories  of  the  struggle  that  tried 
men’s  souls — the  miners’  strike  of  1897. 

To  my  associates  in  the  office,  and  especially  to  our  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer and  the  editor  of  our  Journal,  I am  greatly  in- 
debted for  their  valuable  advice  and  assistance,  from  the  be- 
ginning of  our  official  relations  to  the  present  day.  I have 
found  them  prompt  and  efficient  in  their  duty,  and  ever  ready 
in  season  and  out  of  season  to  promote  and  advance  the  best 
interests  of  the  mine  workers  of  the  country  in  any  position 
wherever  placed. 

Closing,  I respectfully  request  the  assistance  of  all  dele- 
gates present  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  this  great  conven- 
tion, assuring  you  that  I will  do  my  duty  with  fairness  and 


528 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


impartiality,  as  I see  and  understand  it.  Would  also  earnestly 
request  your  loyal  and  hearty  support  for  the  officers-elect, 
whosoever  they  may  be.  With  this  I bespeak  for  our  noble  or- 
ganization before  the  next  year  expires,  greater  strength, 
power  and  influence  than  any  other  trades  union  in  America. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

M.  D.  Ratchford, 

President,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

After  the  reading  was  finished  the  hour  of  adjournment 
having  arrived,  the  convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.  by  President 
Ratchford,  who  afterwards  requested  Mr.  W.  G.  Knight  to 
take  the  chair. 

Secretary  Pearce  then  read  his  annual  report. 

THE  SECRETARY’S  REPORT. 

The  report  of  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce  contained  a lengthy 
resume  of  the  work  done  and  stated  that  one  year  ago  our 
organization  numbered  less  than  11,000.  Today,  he  said,  it 
is  safe  to  say  we  have  increased  threefold,  and  commended 
highly  the  assistance  given  by  other  trades  during  the  year 
that  had  brought  about  such  beneficial  results.  His  financial 
statement  covered  every  detail  in  complete  form,  with  the 
following  recapitulation  of  receipts  and  expenses  for  the  year : 

RECAPITULATION. 


Income 

Cash  on  hand  January  1,  1897 $582.93 

Tax  i 11,653.30 

Supplies  1,985.27 

Journal  .- 1,238.27 

Aid  and  levy 23,015.18 

Miscellaneous 690.95 


Total  $39,165.90 

N 

Expenditures 

Salaries  and  expenses $16,473.42 

Supplies  3,845.12 

Office  expenses 742.63 

Postage,  mailing,  telegraph  and  expressage 1,268.13 

Miscellaneous  (field  work,  etc.,  time  of  strike) 6,124.45 


Total  $28,353.72 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


529 


Cash  on  hand  January  1,  1898 10,812.18 

Total  - 139,165.90 


Respectfully  submitted, 

W.  C.  Pearce, 

Secretary-Treasurer,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

The  minutes  of  the  morning  session  were  read  and  ap- 
proved. 

T.  L.  Lewis  made  a concise  report  of  the  American  Federa- 
tion of  Labor  convention,  held  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  Decem- 
ber 14,  1897,  reviewing  the  legislation  enacted  by  that  conven- 
tion, after  which  the  committee  on  distribution  distributed 
the  officers’  report. 

The  following  is  the  revised  and  corrected  report  of  the 
credentials  committee: 

Illinois — Thomas  Burke,  James  Beattie,  W.  D.  Ryan,  John 
Green,  Joseph  Manuel,  James  A.  Connery,  John  Mitchell, 
M.  B.  Hearth,  Henry  Cartright,  George  Struman,  Harry  Don- 
nelly, John  Felgenhamer,  W.  T.  Morris,  John  Belger,  Charles 
Bracewell,  James  S.  Richards,  James  Rourk,  John  M.  Hunter, 
Cameron  Miller,  William  Scaife,  J.  W.  Cooper,  James  Court- 
ney, William  Topham,  George  Cravens,  James  Hickey,  Patrick 
Higgins,  W.  R.  Russell,  Sam  Dugan,  John  Welsh,  George 
Scratch er,  P.  J.  Keenan,  James  Richards,  Thomas  Galaher, 
George  Horn,  Emil  Breckner,  John  Stanley,  A1  Boston,  W.  M. 
Jamison,  William  Gardner,  E.  Lafferty,  D.  Williams,  Alex. 
Suttey,  Jacob  Stanley,  D.  F.  Cameron,  0.  B.  Shelby,  James 
Cartright,  M.  B.  Hearth. 

Ohio — T.  L.  Lewis,  J.  J.  Mossop,  D.  R.  Lewis,  James  Mc- 
Kee, W.  C.  Scott,  Val  Cox,  W.  H.  Worker,  John  Werdle,  W.  E. 
Farms,  Thomas  Cole,  J.  H.  Barnes,  William  Morgan,  William 
Simons,  T.  R.  Jones,  J.  Tetlow,  P.  J.  Gorman,  Marian  Hull, 
David  Wilson,  Stephen  Kennedy,  Jacob  Collins,  C.  L.  Kimes, 
Z.  Emory,  W.  C.  Pearce,  Dan  Wallace,  Cameron  Miller,  Owen 
F.  Murray,  George  Hamilton,  W.  J.  Corpman,  W.  P.  H.  Friday, 
Conrad  Wein,  Joseph  Smart,  I.  N.  Coleman,  John  Wardle, 
George  Cecil,  Morris  Henshaw,  Frank  Christian,  J.  J.  Abies, 
Charles  Alton,  John  Whalen,  M.  G.  Flinn,  J.  W.  Humphrey, 
M.  D.  Ratchford,  T.  W.  Davis,  James  Donnahue,  R.  M.  Mason, 


530 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Guard  Cady,  Frank  Christian,  Ed  Graham,  John  Taylor, 
Frank  Johnson,  F.  J.  Minck,  John  Perkins,  C.  F.  Fisher,  Rich- 
ard Neason,  Henry  Charles,  Henry  Hutterman,  Frank  O’Don- 
nell, Fred  Powell,  G.  Savage,  John  Oakley,  Alex.  Johnson, 
J.  D.  Gillilan,  Ed  Abraham,  John  Archibald,  J.  M.  Stewart, 
Thomas  Taylor,  S.  H.  Wilson,  William  Haskins,  John  Rollins, 
John  Jinkins,  T.  R.  Jones,  Jacob  Ashman,  Richard  Fitzgerald, 
John  Lambert,  John  Thomas. 

West  Virginia — Henry  Stephenson,  S.  C.  Harless,  Chris 
Evans,  R.  A.  Kramer,  F.  T.  Donald,  William  Warner,  John  W. 
Branham,  J.  J.  Marona,  W.  Taylor,  M.  V.  White,  Fred  Dil- 
cher,  J.  J.  Abies,  William  Laftrich,  R.  B.  Cobb,  Thomas  Boyce, 
T.  J.  Godfrey. 

Pennsylvania — Patrick  McGowan,  Thomas  J.  Boyle,  Chris 
Evans,  George  Stanaway,  Samuel  Allen,  Daniel  Jones,  Thomas 
Duffy,  Patrick  Dolan,  William  Warner,  Martin  Greeley,  John 
Fahy,  Warren  Wilson,  James  Murray,  Andrew  Mattie,  Wm. 
Grant,  George  Harris,  T.  W.  Davis,  Jerry  Kerr,  Thomas  H. 
Kissop,  Jr.,  James  Best,  John  Dwire,  Hugh  Pollan,  Hugh 
Forsyth,  Pat  McGowan,  John  Oates,  Ed  McKay,  John  Dolan, 
Henry  Walker,  John  McGoldrick,  James  Buchan,  John  Kirk- 
patrick, Thomas  Haggerty,  Thomas  Beatty,  Robert  McKenna, 
J.  E.  Russell,  Andy  Savage,  Richard  Gibbs,  B.  A.  Graves. 

Indiana — G.  W.  Purcell,  A.  L.  Padget,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Evan 
Davis,  Eli  Mott,  Emanuel  Dixon,  Alex.  Ferguson,  A.  J.  Max- 
well, Mark  Roberts,  W.  H.  McGrew,  John  H.  Morgan,  Ed- 
ward McKay,  Fred  Ridenour,  Patrick  Maughan,  Sam  Wall, 
W.  G.  Knight,  George  Chesterfield,  Cameron  Miller,  David 
Harris,  John  Evans,  John  H.  Morgan,  Allan  Walker,  Barney 
Nevin,  Sam  Anderson,  James  Cantwell,  John  Muchet,  R.  L. 
Davis,  W.  C.  Pearce,  Henry  Bradley. 

The  next  order  of  business  being  the  election  of  officers, 
the  chair  appointed  J.  H.  Barnes,  of  Ohio,  and  P.  J.  Keenan, 
of  Illinois,  tellers.  E.  C.  Hill  and  P.  McBryde’s  names  were 
withdrawn.  The  ballot  being  taken,  resulted  as  follows: 
Ratchford,  413  votes;  Joseph  Evans,  16.  Three  votes  were 
absent  and  two  declined  to  vote. 

Motion,  That  the  election  of  president  be  made  unanimous. 
Adopted. 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


531 


Before  the  vote  for  president  was  taken  Delegate  Evans 
was  called  to  the  chair  and  announced,  after  the  vote  had  been 
counted,  that  Ratchford,  having  received  a majority  of  votes 
cast,  was  elected  president  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Ratchford  being  called  for  responded  briefly  as  follows : 

It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  express  my  appreciation  of 
your  action  in  giving  me  a unanimous  re-election  as  president 
of  your  organization.  It  means  far  more  than  re-election;  it 
means  a hearty  indorsement  of  our  policy  during  the  past 
term  and  a hearty  rebuke  to  the  men  who  endeavored  to  de- 
stroy your  confidence  in  your  officers  and  in  that  way  accom- 
plish their  ends. 

The  election  of  a United  States  Senator  even,  by  a close 
vote,  may  be  an  honor  after  a fight  that  lasted  for  months, 
but  to  me  it  is  a higher  honor  to  be  chosen  as  your  national 
president  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  mine  workers  of  the 
country  without  an  effort  or  a fight. 

When  you  first  elected  me  president,  over  a year  ago,  we 
had  a weak  organization  and  a small  group  of  delegates  from 
Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois.  Today  we  have 
organizations  from  the  anthracite  coal  regions  on  the  east  to 
the  State  of  Wyoming  on  the  west,  and  from  the  Klondike  to 
Alabama.  I promised  you  then  that  if  you  gave  me  support 
I would  give  you  as  aggressive  an  administration  as  you  de- 
sired. Have  I kept  my  promise  ? Your  action  of  today  is  em- 
phatic, and  has  but  one  meaning.  I again  repeat  that  promise, 
and  declare  here  and  now,  that  we  will  continue  that  aggres- 
sive policy  in  proportion  to  our  numbers,  our  strength  and 
ability  as  an  organization,  which  alone  makes  it  possible. 

I take  occasion  at  this  time  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
press  reports  of  the  past  week  regarding  my  appointment  to 
a federal  position.  Such  reports  are  wholly  unfounded.  I am 
not  now  and  never  have  been  a candidate  for  any  political 
office,  elective  or  appointive,  and  will  go  further  and  say  that 
I am  not  open  for  engagements ; that  my  services  are  not  for 
sale  while  serving  the  miners,  at  least  not  until  my  term  of 
office  expires.  I regard  it  as  a crime  for  any  delegate  to  come 
here  and  take  part  in  the  work  of  this  convention  and  after  its 
adjournment  desert  the  organization.  If  it  be  such,  is  it  not  a 
crime  for  your  officers  to  desert  you?  Yes,  and  you  need  not 
fear  it  so  far  as  I am  concerned. 

At  this  point,  the  following  telegram  was  read  by  the 
chair ; 


532 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


Chicago,  111.,  January  12,  1898. 
M.  Ratchford,  United  Mine  Workers’  Convention: 

Cigarmakers’  International  Union  sends  fraternal  greet- 
ing and  assurance  of  eternal  thankfulness  for  your  splendid 
action  in  defense  of  our  blue  label  and  rebuke  to  those  who 
ignore  this  emblem  of  unionism  and  fair  wages.  May  success 
and  eternal  prosperity  be  ever  with  the  miners’  organization. 

G.  W.  Perkins,  President. 

Motion,  That  the  telegram  be  accepted  and  the  secre- 
tary be  instructed  to  make  suitable  reply.  Adopted. 

Secretary  replied  as  follows : 

G.  W.  Perkins,  President  International  Cigarmakers’  Organi- 
zation, Chicago,  111. : 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America  return  thanks  for  kind 
remembrances  and  return  fraternal  greetings  to  you  and 
through  you  to  the  cigarmakers  everywhere. 

W.  C.  PEARCE. 

After  which  the  chair  declared  the  election  of  a vice-presi- 
dent in  order. 

' The  following  declined : Hunter,  Fahy,  Dilcher,  McKay, 
Ryan  and  McKee. 

The  secretary  announced,  by  request,  that  the  candidates 
for  vice-president  were  located  as  follows : P.  Dolan,  Pennsyl- 
vania; John  Mitchell,  Illinois;  J.  G.  Robinson,  West  Virginia; 
W.  H.  Crawford,  Ohio. 

Before  the  roll  was  called  a question  was  raised  that,  as 
the  time  for  adjournment  was  near,  the  election  be  deferred 
until  tomorrow  morning  and  the  time  be  spent  in  discussing 
the  advisability  of  purchasing  the  portrait  of  the  late  Vice- 
President  Kane,  to  be  kept  in  the  national  office  and  to  be  the 
property  of  the  national  organization. 

On  motion,  The  following  were  appointed  to  negotiate  for 
the  purchase  of  a picture  of  the  late  Brother  Kane:  Commit- 
tee— T.  L.  Lewis,  John  M.  Hunter,  Cameron  Miller. 

A representative  of  the  Baker  Art  Gallery  made  a state- 
ment pertaining  to  a group  picture  of  the  convention. 

Motion,  That  the  delegates  assemble  in  the  State  House 
yard  at  the  noon  hour  on  Thursday  for  that  purpose. 

On  motion,  adjourned. 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


533 


THURSDAY  MORNING. 

Meeting  called  to  order.  Ratchford  in  the  chair,  Pearce  at 
the  desk. 

President  Ratchford  then  announced  the  regular  order  of 
business  and  called  Delegate  Evans  to  the  chair,  who  an- 
nounced the  election  of  a vice  president.  The  chair  announced 
that  the  secretary  was  prepared  to  report  the  result  of  the 
ballot,  which  was  as  follows:  Total  votes,  431;  necessary  for 
choice,  216;  Mitchell  received  215,  Dolan  195,  Crawford  13, 
Robinson  8. 

The  chair  announced  that  no  candidate  had  received  a ma- 
jority vote  and  ordered  that  the  lowest  be  dropped  and  another 
ballot  taken. 

After  which  the  chair  called  upon  the  secretary  to  an- 
nounce the  result  of  the  vote,  which  was  as  follows,  out  of  a 
total  of  437  votes  cast:  Mitchell  received  228,  Dolan  196,  and 
Crawford  7. 

The  chair  then  declared  that  John  Mitchell,  having  re- 
ceived a majority  of  the  votes  cast,  was  elected  vice-president 
for  the  ensuing  term. 

Mitchell,  being  called  upon,  responded  briefly,  thanking 
the  delegates  for  the  honor  conferred  and  pledging  his  best 
efforts  for  the  organization,  and  trusted  that  when  we  meet 
next  year  no  one  will  have  cause  to  regret  his  election. 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Chris  Evans  in  the  chair. 

First  order  of  business  election  of  secretary  for  the  ensu- 
ing year.  W.  D.  Ryan,  of  Illinois,  withdrew  his  name  from, 
the  list  of  candidates.  To  facilitate  business,  it  was  moved 
that  the  rules  be  suspended  and  that  all  those  who  are  in- 
structed to  vote  for  Winning  or  Cornwell  be  recorded  and  the 
balance  of  votes  be  accredited  to  Secretary  Pearce.  Illinois, 
no  opposition  to  Pearce;  Indiana,  no  opposition;  Ohio,  H. 
Charles  and  J.  Taylor  for  Winning. 

Motion,  by  Henry  Charles,  seconded  by  J.  S.  Taylor,  Ohio, 
that  the  election  of  Secretary  Pearce  be  made  unanimous. 
Carried. 


534 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Secretary  Pearce,  being  called  for,  responded  briefly  as  fol- 
lows: 

I can  not  find  words  at  present  to  express  my  feelings  on 
this  occasion,  and  for  this  evidence  of  confidence  and  honor 
given  by  this  unanimous  vote  for  re-election  as  your  secre- 
tary-treasurer. I have  guarded  the  finances  of  our  organiza- 
tion with  as  much  care  and  caution  as  though  it  were  my  own. 
I expect  to  do  the  same  in  the  future,  as  I have  done  in  the 
past,  always  attending  promptly  to  the  duties  of  my  office, 
and  expect  to  leave  our  organization  in  better  condition  than 
I found  it.  Again  I thank  you,  and  through  you  the  members 
of  our  craft  everywhere  for  this  unanimous  indorsement. 

Ex-Secretary  Patrick  McBryde  requested  an  opportunity 
to  present  a matter  of  much  interest  to  the  delegates  assem- 
bled. He  said  that  arrangements  had  been  made  to  pay  the 
last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  brother 
and  vice-president,  John  Kane,  and  requested  that  the  dele- 
gates go  in  a body  to  attend  a high  mass  at  St.  Patrick’s 
Church  at  9 o’clock  on  Friday  morning. 

On  motion,  the  convention  unanimously  decided  to  comply 
with  the  request  and  go  in  a body  to  the  church.  Carried. 

The  following  additional  tellers  were  appointed : Pat 
Dolan,  Allan  Walker  and  R.  Taylor. 

Motion,  That  each  delegate  be  furnished  with  blank  paper 
and  hand  in  their  votes  to  be  recorded.  Carried. 

After  the  vote  had  been  taken  and  the  tellers  were  count- 
ing it.  President  Ratchford  announced  that  ex-president  John 
McBride  was  present  and  would  address  the  convention. 

Ex-President  McBride  was  received  with  a demonstration 
of  welcome.  He  began  his  address  by  expressing  his  apprecia- 
tion of  the  courtesy  extended  and  his  pleasure  thereat.  He 
further  expressed  his  pleasure  at  the  evidence  of  unionism 
and  unification  exhibited  by  the  craft  in  the  large  representa- 
tion present.  He  trusted  that  the  good  sense  of  the  craft 
would  be  exerted  to  prevent  any  discord  which  would  lead  to 
disunion  in  the  future,  from  being  considered  or  entertained 
as  the  best  results  can  be  obtained  from  a complete  organiza- 
tion and  that  divisions  in  our  ranks  were  weakness  and  non- 
efficiency  and  that  the  person  or  persons  who  sowed  the  seeds 
of  discord  in  our  ranks  should  be  regarded  as  an  enemy  to  our 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


535 


cause.  He  noted  the  changed  conditions  prevailing  at  the 
present  time  to  those  of  fifteen  and  twenty  years  ago,  and  said 
that  we  needed  men  of  progressive  minds  to  keep  pace  with 
the  times,  and  cited  that  the  Hocking  Valley  was  then  mining 
coal  by  hand  and  the  shipments  were  about  2,000,000  tons, 
while  at  present  the  mining  is  largely  done  by  the  machine 
and  the  shipment  is  more  than  doubled ; and  by  reason  of  this 
and  other  facts,  conditions  are  so  changed  that  what  was  prac- 
ticable years  ago  is  at  present  impracticable,  and  for  these 
reasons  he  said  that  changed  conditions  must  be  reckoned 
with,  and  that  our  ability  to  cope  with  these  conditions  was  a 
recognition  of  them  as  they  existed,  and  an  organization  suffi- 
ciently strong  to  cope  with  them;  an  organization  not  for  an 
hour  or  a day,  but  for  all  time;  and  our  best  policy  would  be 
to  keep  our  organization  sufficiently  strong  to  meet  questions 
confronting  us,  one  after  the  other,  and  overcome  them. 

“One  year  of  peace,”  he  said,  “will  enable  you  to  build  up 
your  organization  larger  than  it  is  at  present,  numerous  as  it 
is,  and  for  which  he  compliments  us.” 

After  McBride  had  finished,  the  Hon.  David  Ross,  of  Illi- 
nois, secretary  of  the  Bureau  of  Statistics,  who  was  present 
and  who  is  an  ex-miner  and  is  well  known  to  the  mining  craft, 
and  who  formerly  took  an  active  part  in  all  matters  pertain- 
ing to  mine  workers  and  their  organization,  was  called  for 
and  responded,  saying  that  he  was  pleased  to  be  present  at 
this  time  and  was  gratified  at  the  courtesy  extended  him,  as 
for  the  last  six  years  he  had  been  deprived  of  as  close  associa- 
tion with  his  fellow  craftsmen  as  he  formerly  enjoyed.  But 
he  was  pleased  at  seeing  such  a large  representation  of  intelli- 
gent men  present,  and  he  felt  that  the  interest  of  the  craft  was 
safe  in  their  keeping.  He  then  contrasted  the  past  with  the 
present  and,  like  the  former  speaker,  noted  the  changed  con- 
dition of  affairs  and  the  need  for  a good  organization  to  grap- 
ple with  them.  He  concluded  his  eloquent  and  forcible  re- 
marks by  advising  the  mine  workers  to  studiously  avoid  all 
questions  that  would  have  a tendency  to  create  discord  in 
their  ranks;  that  a failure  to  guard  against  such  had  in  the 
past  caused  some  organizations  to  go  to  wreck.  He  ad- 
vised that  politics  be  kept  out  of  the  association  and  advised 


536 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


that  measures  purely  political  be  let  alone;  though  advising 
that  our  craftsmen  study  all  political  questions  so  as  to  better 
understand  the  questions  of  the  day  and  the  best  way  to  solve 
them. 

The  Tellers  announced  that  Powell,  of  Ohio,  and  Dixon,  of 
Indiana,  had  received  the  highest  vote  and  the  chair  declared 
them  elected  national  auditors  for  the  next  year. 

Nominations  for  delegates  and  alternates  to  the  American 
Federation  of  Labor  were  then  called  for. 

Motion,  That  we  honor  President  Ratchford  with  unani- 
mous election  as  one  of  the  delegates.  Adopted  by  a rising 
vote.  Other  delegates  elected  follow:  T.  L.  Lewis,  John  Fahy, 
John  Mitchell.  Alternates:  Bartoe,  Farms,  Warner  and  Mc- 
Bride. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

FRIDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

Delegates  assembled  at  8 o’clock,  Friday,  January  14,  1898, 
and  attended  church  at  St.  Patrick’s  in  a body,  as  per  resolu- 
tion of  yesterday.  Returned  to  the  hall  and  at  10  o’clock  Vice- 
President  Mitchell  called  the  convention  to  order.  Result  of 
first  ballot  for  board  members  was  announced  as  follows: 
Dilcher,  Stephenson  and  Fahy  having  a majority  vote  were 
declared  elected. 

Roll  call  on  second  ballot  for  balance  of  board  members. 
The  following  were  the  candidates : 

Scott,  Kennedy,  McKay,  Stanley,  Helm,  Murray,  Davis, 
Knight,  Webb,  Scaife,  Ryan,  Sullivan  and  Llewellyn. 

Before  adjourning  announcements  were  made  regarding 
hotel  accommodations  at  Chicago.  Adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Ratchford  in  the  chair. 

Announcement  of  vote  for  balance  of  board  members. 
Kennedy,  McKay  and  Ryan  having  a majority  vote  were  de- 
clared elected. 

Report  of  auditing  committee : 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


537 


To  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  in  Convention  As- 
sembled : 

Gentlemen — We,  your  auditors,  • elected  by  you  to  examine 
the  books  of  Secretary-Treasurer  W.  C.  Pearce,  beg  leave  to 
say  that  we  have  attended  to  our  duty  and  find  them  correct, 
as  follows: 


Balance  January  1,  1898 $582.93 

Tax  receipts  during  1897  11,653.30 

Receipts  for  supplies 1,985.27 

Subscription  to  Journal 1,238.27 

Aid  and  assessment 23,015.18 

Miscellaneous  receipts 690.95 


Total  $39,165.90 

Salaries  and  expenses  $16,473.42 

Supplies 3,845.12 

Office  expenses 742.63 

Postage,  telegrams,  etc. , 1,168.10 

Miscellaneous : 6,124.45 


Total  $28,353.72 


Balance  on  hand $10,812.18 


We  desire  to  express  our  pleasure  and  compliment  Brother 
Pearce  upon  the  neat  and  systematic  manner  in  which  the 
accounts  have  been  kept,  and  may  say  that  it  has  been  of  ma- 
terial aid  to  your  committee  in  their  labors. 

Thomas  H.  Kirsop, 

WiLLIARD  BARTOE, 

Committee. 

Columbus,  0.,  January  10,  1898. 

To  Whom  It  May  Concern: 

At  the  request  of  Mr.  W.  C.  Pearce,  this  is  given  to  certify 
that  on  thfe  30th  day  of  December,  1897,  at  the  close  of  busi- 
ness, our  books  showed  that  he  had  on  deposit  in  this  bank, 
the  sum  of  ten  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twelve  dollars  and 
eighteen  cents.  Respectfully, 

F.  W.  Prentiss, 

($10,812.18.)  Vice-President. 

The  report  of  the  auditing  committee  was  accepted. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Resolutions — Motion  to  accept 
the  committee’s  report  and  act  upon  it  seriatim. 

1.  Resolved,  That  all  coal  cut  by  machines  be  cut  by  the 
ton  and  not  by  the  day,  unless  in  deficient  places,  and  in  no 
case  shall  such  deficient  places  be  cut  for  less  than  the  scale 


538 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


agreed  to  between  the  miners  and  operators,  and  in  no  case 
shall  pillars  be  termed  deficient. 

This  resolution  includes  all  states.  Adopted. 

Committee — S.  R.  Helm,  James  Park  and  Geo.  Shackert. 

Resolutions  were  introduced  and  acted  upon  condemning 
the  action  of  W.  H.  Toler  from  West  Virginia,  for  trying  to 
disrupt  the  organization  in  that  state,  that  organizers  be  sent 
into  Alabama  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  number  of 
members  and  giving  encouragement  to  the  organized  miners 
of  Pratt  City  and  Blocton ; that  the  convention  place  itself  on 
record  to  support  none  but  miners  or  sworn  friends  of  the 
miners  to  represent  them  in  the  halls  of  State  and  National 
legislatures ; that  the  tobacco  workers’  union  label  be  indorsed. 
After  which  the  convention  adjourned. 

SATURDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  Vice-President  Mitchell 
in  the  chair. 

A number  of  resolutions  introduced  were  again  taken  up, 
among  which  was  the  advisability  of  purchasing  union-made 
goods;  the  establishment  of  the  postal  savings  bank  system; 
having  the  constitution  printed  in  several  languages ; and  the 
adoption  of  a resolution,  That  the  national  officers  be  in- 
structed to  purchase  and  erect  a monument  to  the  memory  of 
Vice  President  John  Kane  at  a cost  not  to  exceed  $300.00. 

The  committee  on  constitution  in  making  their  report, 
recommended  that  the  constitution  be  changed  to  strike  out 
any  words  that  refer  to  anything  other  than  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  which  was  adopted,  and  the  constitution 
in  full  as  revised  by  the  committee  for  the  year  1898,  follows : 

NATIONAL  CONSTITUTION  1898. 

Article  I — Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  United 
Mine  workers  of  America. 

Sec.  2.  The  objects  of  this  Union  are  to  unite  mine  em- 
ployes and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  concilia- 
tion, arbitration  or  strikes. 

Sec.  3.  This  Union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its 
Local  Unions,  which  shall  be  governed  in  all  trade  matters  by 
this  constitution. 


National  Constitution  for  1898 


539 


Article  II — Officers  and  Their  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  Union  shall  be  one  Presi- 
dent, one  Vice-President,  one  Secretary-Treasurer  and  an  Ex- 
ecutive Board  of  nine  members,  three  of  whom  shall  be  the 
President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary-Treasurer  and  two 
Auditors,  who  shall  be  elected  at  each  annual  convention.  The 
President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary-Treasurer,  shall  re- 
ceive a majority  of  all  votes  cast  before  they  be  declared 
elected. 

Sec.  2.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  general  conven- 
tions of  the  Union;  he  shall  sign  all  official  documents,  when 
satisfied  of  their  correctness ; he  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the 
Executive  Board,  fill  by  appointment  all  vacancies  occurring 
in  the  National  offices,  and  in  a like  manner  he  is  empowered 
to  suspend  or  remove  any  National  officer  for  insubordination 
or  just  and  sufficient  cause;  he  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the 
Executive  Board,  appoint  from  time  to  time  such  organizers 
and  workers  as  may  be  required ; he  shall  devote  his  time  and 
attention  to  the  interests  of  the  Union,  and  exercise  general 
supervision  of  its  workings,  either  in  the  field  or  in  the  Na- 
tional office,  as  his  judgment  dictates  or  the  exigencies  of  the 
case  require.  He  shall  semi-annually  name  the  password  for 
the  use  of  Local  Unions. 

Sec.  3.  The  Vice-President  shall  act  as  general  organizer, 
and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  President,  and  shall 
succeed  that  officer  in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office. 

Sec.  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of  and 
preserve  all  books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  National  of- 
fice; shall  record  proceedings  of  all  conventions  and  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Executive  Board,  and  shall  keep  copies  of  im- 
portant letters  sent  out  by  him;  he  shall  receive  and  receipt 
for  all  moneys,  pay  all  current  expenses ; he  shall  prepare  and 
submit  to  the  locals  a quarterly  report  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  as- 
signed him;  he  shall  give  a bond  of  $5,000  for  the  safe  keep- 
ing of  all  moneys  entrusted  to  him,  but  he  shall  not  have  more 
than  $2,500  subject  to  his  order  at  any  one  time.  All  other 
funds  must  be  deposited  by  him,  subject  to  the  order  of  the 
Executive  Board. 

He  shall  semi-annually  send  to  all  State  and  District  Sec- 
retaries the  Pass-Word,  whose  duties  it  shall  be  to  transmit  it 
to  such  Locals  that  may  be  in  good  standing  in  his  state  or 
district ; it  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  parties  receiving  this  Pass- 
Word  in  writing  to  destroy  it  at  once  and  no  one  shall  trans- 
mit it  without  the  proper  authority. 

Sec.  5.  The  Executive  Board  shall  constitute  a National 
Board  of  Arbitration  and  Conciliation;  shall  execute  the  or- 


540 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ders  of  National  Conventions,  and  between  conventions  shall 
have  full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  Union.  The 
Board  shall  be  convened  by  the  President  or  by  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  at  the  request  of  three  members  of  said  Board. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  National  Union  shall  be  de- 
rived from  Local  Unions,  which  shall  pay  direct  to  the  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer ten  (10)  cents  per  month  per  member;  frac- 
tional members  shall  pay  in  proportion.  The  Local  Secretary 
shall  fill  out  and  forward  to  the  National  and  District  Secre- 
taries a monthly  report  of  the  members  in  good  standing  in 
the  Local  Union ; said  report  to  be  forwarded  to  the  National 
and  District  Secretaries  on  or  before  the  25th  of  each  month. 

Sec.  2.  In  filling  out  the  monthly  report,  the  Local  Secre- 
tary shall  report  to  the  National  office,  on  blanks  furnished 
for  that  purpose,  the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number 
of  members  reported  to  the  district,  and  to  the  district  office 
the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number  of  members  re- 
ported to  the  National  Secretary. 

Sec.  3.  The  National  Convention  shall  be  held  annually 
on  the  second  Monday  in  January,  at  such  place  as  may  be 
determined  upon  by  the  preceding  convention.  Special  con- 
ventions shall  be  called  by  the  President,  when  so  instructed 
by  the  Executive  Board  or  at  the  request  of  five  different 
unions  or  divisions. 

Sec.  4.  Representatives  to  the  National  Convention  from 
affiliated  districts,  divisions  or  locals  shall  have  one  vote  for 
100  members  or  less,  and  an  additional  vote  for  each  100  mem- 
bers or  majority  fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative  shall 
have  more  than  five  votes,  and  no  person  shall  be  eligible  as 
representative,  who  is  not,  or  has  not  been,  a practical  miner 
or  mine  laborer  who  has  not  been  elected  by  a Local  Union 
located  in  the  district  in  which  said  delegate  resides. 

Sec.  5.  No  Local  Union  shall  be  entitled  to  representation 
in  the  National  Convention  that  is  in  arrears  for  dues  or  as- 
sessments for  three  (3)  months  preceding  the  month  in  which 
the  National  Convention  is  held,  and  who  has  not  in  every 
particular  complied  with  the  constitution  of  the  district  in 
which  said  Local  Union  may  be  located  or  which  has  less  than 
10  members,  and  any  mine  within  the  territory  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  having  been  once 
organized  for  a period  of  three  months,  and  allowing  itself  to 
become  lapsed,  defunct,  or  refusing  to  pay  dues  to  the  organi- 
zation, shall  and  must  be  in  good  standing  for  a period  of  six 
months  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  Annual  Convention,  be- 
fore said  Local  Union  shall  be  entitled  to  representation  in 


National  Constitution  for  1898 


541 


the  annual  or  special  conventions  of  the  national  or  district 
organizations.  All  newly  organized  locals  must  be  organized 
at  least  one  month  prior  to  the  holding  of  the  National  Con- 
vention. 

Sec.  6.  No  locals  shall  be  exempt  from  paying  per  capita 
tax  unless  they  have  been  idle  one  month.  In  all  cases  where 
Local  Unions  desire  exoneration  from  dues,  same  request  shall 
be  signed  by  the  President,  Secretary  and  Mine  Committee. 

Article  IV — Strikes. 

Section  1.  When  trouble  of  a local  character  arises  be- 
tween members  of  any  Local  Union,  and  their  employers,  the 
officers  of  said  locals  shall  endeavor  to  effect  an  amicable  ad- 
justment, and  failing  in  this  they  shall  immediately  notify  the 
officers  of  the  district  to  which  the  affected  locals  are  attached, 
and  said  district  officers  shall  immediately  investigate  the 
cause  of  complaint,  and  failing^  to  effect  a peaceful  settlement 
upon  a basis  that  would  be  equitable  and  just  to  aggrieved 
members,  finding  that  a strike  would  best  subserve  the  inter- 
ests of  the  locality  affected,  they  may  order  the  inauguration 
of  a strike,  but  no  local  strike  shall  be  legalized  or  supported 
by  a district  unless  its  inauguration  was  approved  by  the  offi- 
cers of  the  district,  or  by  the  National  Executive  Board  upon 
an  appeal  taken  by  the  aggrieved  members  from  the  decision 
of  the  district  offices ; any  Local  Union  striking  in  violation  of 
the  above  provisions  shall  not  be  sustained  or  recognized  by 
national  office  or  officers. 

Sec.  2.  Before  final  action  is  taken  by  any  district  upon 
questions  that  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  interests  of  the 
mine  workers  of  another  district,  or  that  require  a strike  to 
determine,  the  President  and  the  Secretary  of  the  aggrieved 
district  shall  jointly  prepare,  sign  and  forward  to  the  Na- 
tional President  a written  statement  setting  forth  the  griev- 
ance complained  of,  the  action  contemplated  by  the  district, 
together  with  the  reasons  therefor,  and  the  National  Presi- 
dent shall,  within  five  days  after  the  receipt  of  such  statement, 
either  approve  or  disapprove  of  the  action  contemplated  by 
the  aggrieved  district,  and  such  approval  or  disapproval,  to- 
gether with  the  reasons  therefor,  shall  be  made  in  writing  and 
a copy  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  the  complaining  district. 
Should  the  action  contemplated  by  the  aggrieved  district  re- 
ceive the  approval  of  the  National  President,  the  district  shall 
be  free  to  act,  but  should  the  National  President  disapprove 
the  action  contemplated  the  district  may  appeal  to  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Board,  which  shall  be  convened  to  consider 
such  appeal  within  five  days  after  its  receipt  by  the  National 
Secretary;  until  the  National  President  has  approved,  or  the 


542 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


National  Executive  Board  has  sustained  the  appeal,  no  dis- 
trict shall  be  free  to  enter  upon  a strike  unless  it  shall  have 
been  ordered  by  a National  Convention. 

Article  V- — Qualifications  and  Salary  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  A member  in  good  standing  in  the  organiza- 
tion shall  be  eligible  to  hold  office  in  the  National  Union,  pro- 
vided he  is  not  a salaried  officer  of  a district  at  the  same  time, 
and  has  been  a member  of  a Local  Union  for  six  months  prior 
to  his  election. 

Sec.  2.  President,  $1,200;  Vice-President,  $900;  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer, $1,000;  salary  of  Executive  Board,  $2.50  per 
day  and  expenses,  when  employed  by  the  President  to  work  in 
the  interest  of  the  United  Mine  Workers. 

Article  VI. 

Section  1.  All  nominations  for  National  offices  and  dele- 
gates to  the  A.  F.  of  L.  shall  be  sent  to  the  National  Secretary 
not  later  than  two  months  before  the  annual  convention ; said 
nominations  shall  be  compiled  by  him  and  sent  out  not  later 
than  two  weeks  prior  to  the  convention,  and  no  person  shall 
be  elected  to  any  office  unless  his  name  has  been  sent  to  all 
locals  as  specified.  The  National  Secretary  shall  not  publish 
the  name  and  address  of  any  candidate  without  first  obtaining 
his  consent.  Delegates  shall  come  to  the  convention  instructed 
to  vote  for  candidates  for  the  respective  positions. 

Immediately  after  the  organization  of  the  convention  each 
delegate  shall  be  supplied  with  a ballot  to  vote  for  all  officers. 
Delegates  shall  prepare  said  ballot  by  inserting  the  name  of 
his  respective  candidates  under  the  respective  headings  with 
delegates’  name  and  number  of  local  that  he  represents,  with 
his  number  of  votes  written  on  the  back.  He  shall  deposit  said 
ballot  with  the  tellers  (who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  chair) 
within  three  hours  after  ballots  have  been  distributed.  The 
tellers  shall  deposit  said  ballot  within  a ballot  box  made  for 
the  purpose.  No  ballot  shall  be  received  after  the  polls  have 
been  declared  closed,  and  the  ballot  box  to  be  locked  and  sealed 
by  the  President  in  the  presence  of  the  delegates  of  the  conven- 
tion until  the  tellers  are  ready  to  count  said  ballots.  It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  tellers  to  count  the  ballots  by  reporting  upon 
a returning  sheet,  w^hich  the  secretary  shall  have  prepared. 
Said  report  shall  become  a part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  con- 
vention. 

Sec.  2.  No  person,  a member  of  the  organization,  who 
holds  a financial  or  clearance  card,  showing  him  to  be  a finan- 
cial member  (and  in  good  standing),  shall  be  debarred  or 
hindered  from  obtaining  work  on  account  of  race,  creed  or 


National  Constitution  for  1898 


543 


nationality ; and  a clearance  card  from  any  legalized  or  recog- 
nized labor  organization,  anywhere,  known  to  be  friendly  to 
the  U.  M.  W.’s  of  A.  shall  be  accepted ; and  any  member  leav- 
ing a Local  Union,  and  desirous  of  becoming  a member  in  any 
other  L.  U.,  must  deposit  a transfer  card  with  Recording  Sec- 
retary of  the  local  in  which  he  desires  to  be  a member.  Due 
cards  or  clearance  cards  shall  not  admit  any  person  to  mem- 
bership from  one  local  of  the  U.  M.  W.  of  A.  to  another.  And, 
to  protect  the  membership  of  individuals  who  are  unable  to 
pay  their  dues  because  of  no  local  existing  where  they  reside, 
the  National,  District  and  Subdistrict  Secretaries  shall  receive 
dues  from  them  and  issue  to  them  the  usual  cards  for  the 
same. 

Sec.  3.  Any  Local  Union,  who  shall  wilfully  violate  the 
above,  shall,  if  proven  guilty,  for  the  first  offense  be  suspended 
from  all  rights  and  privileges  for  three  months,  and  for  the 
second  offense,  suspended  for  six  months,  or  as  long  as  it  is 
deemed  necessary  by  the  National  Executive  Board. 

Sec.  4.  That  no  charges  shall  be  considered  by  any  con- 
vention of  the  United  Mine  Workers  unless  such  charges  be 
preferred  in  writing  to  the  Executive  Board,  who  shall  hear 
and  determine,  and  report  to  the  convention,  their  finding. 

Sec.  5.  Delegates  to  the  National  Convention  shall  be  paid 
railroad  fare  to  and  from  the  convention  on  the  following 
basis:  Delegates  shall  represent  five  locals,  if  said  locals  con- 
tain not  more  than  500  members.  When  there  are  500  mem- 
bers in  one  local,  or,  in  a less  number  than  five  locals  such  local 
shall  be  entitled  to  send  a delegate.  Locals  isolated  and  who 
can  not  meet  with  other  locals  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a 
delegate,  shall  be  entitled  to  send  a representative.  The  Ex- 
ecutive Board  shall  have  power  to  levy  the  members  to  carry 
out  the  above  provisions,  provided  said  levy  be  necessary. 

Sec.  6.  The  National  Officers  shall  have  power  to  change 
boundaries  and  jurisdiction  of  districts  as  the  conditions  may 
require  between  conventions:  provided,  however,  that  they 
consult  the  district  officers  of  the  districts  that  such  change  of 
boundaries  and  jurisdiction  may  affect;  and  in  no  case  shall 
any  such  change  be  made  until  affected  local  or  locals  shall 
have  paid  all  tax  and  assessments  due  to  the  district  to  which 
it  or  they  are  attached. 

Sec.  7.  Two  auditors  shall  be  elected  annually  to  examine 
the  books  of  the  National  Secretary  quarterly  and  cause  their 
report  to  be  published  in  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal, 
said  auditors  to  hold  no  National  or  District  offices. 

Sec.  8.  The  National  Executive  Board  shall  have  power 
to  order  a general  suspension  at  any  time  during  the  year  that 
they  deem  it  necessary. 


544 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sec.  9.  Any  member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  accept- 
ing a position  in  or  around  the  mines  other  than  that  of  a 
miner  or  mine  laborer,  shall  cease  to  be  a member  of  the  orga- 
nization while  holding  such  position,  this  not  to  apply  to  co- 
operative companies  receiving  the  indorsement  of  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Board. 

Chris  Evans, 

William  Warner, 

W.  I.  Taylor, 

W.  D.  Ryan, 

Constitution  Committee. 

A resolution  was  adopted  advising  the  national  officers 
that  the  Journal  be  published  in  such  languages  as  they  deem 
proper,  as  well  as  the  constitution  and  manuals. 

The  committee  on  officers’  reports  agreed  with  the  sugges- 
tion of  President  Ratchford  to  appropriate  money  from  the 
treasury  to  build  a monument  to  the  memory  of  Vice-Presi- 
dent John  Kane,  and  that  a committee  of  three  be  appointed, 
consisting  of  President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary,  to  take 
charge  of  and  see  that  the  monument  is  properly  erected  and 
inscribed,  and  highly  approved  of  his  recommendation  that 
the  reduction  of  hours  to  eight  per  day  be  made  the  leading 
question  after  the  scale  of  prices  had  been  jointly  agreed  upon, 
all  of  which  received  the  unanimous  support  of  the  delegates 
present. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order,  Vice-President  Mitchell  pre- 
siding. 

On  changing  headquarters,  nominations  were  made,  in- 
cluding Chicago,  Cleveland,  Columbus  and  Toledo,  Ohio;  Ev- 
ansville and  Indianapolis,  Indiana.  After  two  ballots  had 
been  taken  Indianapolis  received  a majority  of  the  votes  cast 
and  was  declared  the  future  headquarters  for  the  National 
organization. 

The  convention  was  almost  a unit  in  the  building  up  of  a 
defense  fund. 

The  report  of  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce  was  highly  com- 
mended and  ordered  to  be  made  a part  of  the  proceedings. 


Ninth  National  Annual  Convention 


545 


The  special  committee  appointed  reported  that  the  picture 
of  John  Kane  could  be  made  for  $15  and  the  convention  de- 
cided to  make  the  purchase. 

Sub-district  6 of  District  No.  1,  comprising  the  Hazleton 
and  Panther  Creek  Valley  territories  of  the  anthracite  region, 
was  empowered  to  form  a district,  and  the  National  Executive 
Board  ordered  to  grant  a seal  and  charter  for  the  district. 

An  appropriation  of  $200  was  made  to  the  stationary  engi- 
neers and  railroad  employees  of  Great  Britain,  that  were  on 
strike.  Resolutions  of  sympathy  follow: 

Whereas,  Mr.  Edward  Hartford,  late  delegate  from  the 
British  Trades  Council  to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor 
convention,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  has  been  called  away  by  an 
all-wise  Providence  from  his  family  on  his  return  to  his  native 
country,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  representatives  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  extend  our  heartfelt  sympathy  to  his 
sorrowing  family  and  relatives,  and  that  we  in  common  with 
his  many  friends  sincerely  deplore  his  loss. 

Resolved,  That  a copy  of  the  above  resolutions  be  sent  to 
his  family,  and  also  to  the  British  Labor  Congress,  signed  by 
our  President  and  Secretary.  Adopted. 

The  resolution  committee  begs  leave  to  submit  the  follow- 
ing report: 

The  resolution  committee  has  failed  to  agree  on  any  form 
of  a defense  fund,  and  recommends  the  appointment  of  a 
special  committee. 

Motion,  That  the  recommendations  of  the  committee  be 
concurred  in.  Adopted. 

Motion,  That  the  committee  on  resolutions  draft  rules  and 
regulations  pertaining  to  the  defense  fund,  and  the  same  to  be 
presented  to  the  delegates  to  the  Chicago  convention.  Adopted. 

Nominations  for  the  place  of  holding  the  next  annual  con- 
vention were  called  for,  and  Cleveland,  Zanesville,  Chicago, 
Pittsburg  and  Indianapolis  were  named,  and  on  motion  Pitts- 
burg was  selected  by  a rising  vote  without  a dissenting  voice. 

President  Dolan  thanked  the  delegates  on  behalf  of  the 
Pittsburg  miners  for  their  action  in  honoring  Pennsylvania. 

President  Ratchford,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  the  Vice- 
President,  before  adjourning,  thanked  the  delegates  for  the 


546 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


assistance  given  them  in  conducting  the  largest  and  most  har- 
monious convention  ever  held  by  our  craft. 

A vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  the  press  for  the  fidelity 
with  which  they  had  reported  convention  proceedings. 

Mr.  Hunter,  of  Illinois,  on  behalf  of  the  miners,  thanked 
the  delegates  for  the  courtesies  extended  to  the  same. 

On  motion.  The  convention  adjourned  to  meet  in  joint  con- 
vention at  Chicago  on  Monday. 

Adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


JOINT  PROCEEDINGS,  1898. 

W.  H.  Holcomb,  of  Illinois,  was  appointed  chairman  of  the 
interstate  convention.  W.  C.  Pearce  and  F.  S.  Brooks  were 
appointed  secretaries. 

A committee  on  credentials  consisting  of  the  respective 
secretaries  for  each  state  was  appointed  as  follows : 


For  miners — 

William  Warner,  Pennsylvania, 


T.  L.  Lewis, 

J.  H.  Kennedy, 
B.  Navin, 

W.  D.  Ryan, 

S.  C.  Harless, 


Ohio, 

Indiana, 

Illinois, 

West  Virginia, 


For  operators — 

J.  C.  Dysart, 

Chairman 

F.  S.  Brooks, 

J.  W.  Landrum, 

G.  W.  Traer, 

Not  represented. 


Committee  on  Rules  and  Regulations. 


Miners — 

Patrick  Dolan, 

W.  E.  Farms, 

W.  G.  Knight, 
John  M.  Hunter, 
H.  Stephenson, 
The  committees 


Pennsylvania, 

Ohio, 

Indiana, 

Illinois, 

West  Virginia, 
having  retired  the 


Operators, 

J.  B.  Zerbe, 

Chairman 
J.  S.  Morton, 

J.  Smith  Talley, 
S.  M.  Dalzell, 

Not  represented, 
nvention  adjourned. 


Chicago  Joint  Proceedings,  1898 


547 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  with  Mr.  Holcomb  in 
the  chair. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  eligi- 
ble to  seats  in  the  convention : 


Miners 

Operators 

40 

Pennsylvania, 

45 

83 

Ohio, 

67 

27 

Indiana, 

43 

111 

Illinois, 

95 

17 

West  Virginia, 

Not  represented. 

278 

250 

The  report  was  accepted. 

The  committee  on  rules  and  regulations  reported : 

That  the  convention  meet  daily  at  9 a.  m.  and  12  p.  m.  and 
adjourn  at  12  m.  and  5 p.  m. 

That  special  meetings  may  be  held,  or  evening  session  if 
so  ordered. 

That  miners’  representatives  occupy  the  left  side  of  the 
hall,  and  operators  the  right,  facing  the  stage. 

That  each  state  be  allowed  the  same  number  of  votes  on 
the  floor  of  the  House,  four  (4)  votes  in  behalf  of  the  opera- 
tors, and  four  (4)  votes  in  behalf  of  the  miners  of  each  state. 

That  no  vote  be  declared  carried  unless  upon  the  affirma- 
tive vote  of  the  miners  and  operators  of  each  state. 

That  each  state  have  four  operators  and  four  miners  on  the 
scale  committee  to  be  appointed,  with  the  understanding  that 
Illinois  may  have  five  (5)  miners  and  five  (5)  operators  with 
four  votes,  respectively. 

That  the  sessions  of  the  general  convention  be  open  to  the 
public  except  when  otherwise  ordered. 

The  report  was  approved. 

J.  B.  Zerbe,  Chairman, 

W.  G.  Knight,  Secretary. 

The  convention  then  took  a recess  until  morning  to  enable 
the  miners  and  operators  of  each  state  to  select  their  repre- 
sentatives on  the  scale  committee. 


548 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


TUESDAY  MORNING,  JANUARY  18,  1898. 

The  convention  was  again  called  to  order  with  Mr.  Hol- 
comb in  the  chair. 

A scale  committee  was  appointed  from  the  different  states 
as  follows : 

Indiana  Miners — W.  G.  Knight,  Samuel  Wales,  J.  H.  Mor- 
gan, B.  A.  Navin. 

Indiana  Operators — W.  S.  Bogle,  J.  Smith  Talley,  W.  W. 
Risher,  W.  A.  Zimmerman. 

Ohio  Miners — T.  L.  Lewis,  W.  E.  Farms,  J.  J.  Mossop, 
George  Shackert. 

Ohio  Operators — J.  S.  Morton,  W.  R.  Woodford,  H.  L. 
Chapman,  H.  D.  Turney;  alternate,  Thomas  Johnson. 

Pennsylvania  Miners — Patrick  Dolan,  George  Harris. 
Samuel  Allen,  William  Warner. 

Pennsylvania  Operators — F.  L.  Robbins,  F,  M.  Osborne, 
M.  H.  Taylor,  A.  Dempster. 

Illinois  Miners — J.  J.  Stanley,  Jas.  Connery,  John  Green, 
Jas.  Boston,  Jos.  Manuel. 

Illinois  Operators — A.  L.  Sweet,  J.  A.  Agee,  J.  C.  Simpson, 
G.  W.  Traer,  J.  M.  Browning. 

West  Virginia  Miners — H.  Stephenson,  M.  V.  White,  W. 
Taylor,  John  W.  Branham. 

West  Virginia  Operators — Not  represented. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  president  ex-officio,  member  of  scale 
committee. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

During  several  days’  waiting  for  the  scale  committee  to 
report,  the  mine  run  system  was  discussed ; the  size  of  screens ; 
the  wiping  out  of  the  9 cents  differential  between  Ohio  and  the 
Pittsburg  district,  together  with  resolutions,  amendments  and 
substitutes  bearing  upon  the  questions  under  consideration, 
after  which  Frank  Robbins  of  Pennsylvania  made  the  follow- 
ing statement: 

In  behalf  of  the  Pittsburg  district,  we  came  here  under  call 
to  readjust  differentials  and  adjust  any  other  differences  re- 
gardless of  past  conditions;  to  leave  all  propositions  to  the 
decision  of  the  convention  or  to  officers  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America  and  the  scale  committee.  We  are  will- 
ing to  accept  a uniform  scale  for  day  labor,  and  the  gross 


Chicago  Joint  Proceedings,  1898 


549 


weight  (mine  run)  system  based  on  a proper  proportion  of 
fine  coal.  I offer  the  following  on  the  eight-hour  day : 

Resolved,  That  the  acknowledged  day’s  work  throughout 
the  five  states  represented  in  this  convention  shall  be  eight 
(8)  hours  on  and  after  June  1,  1898,  provided  the  same  shall 
have  been  established  and  in  operation  in  all  the  competitive 
states  on  and  after  May  1,  1898,  to  the  satisfaction  of  miners 
and  operators. 

This  resolution  was  adopted  by  a unanimous  vote  of  miners 
and  operators. 

After  the  passage  of  this  resolution  H.  L.  Chapman,  opera- 
tor of  Ohio,  offered  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  an  advance  of  ten  cents  per  ton  be  given 
to  the  miners  of  the  competitive  districts  from  and  after 
January  16,  1898,  and  that  the  same  relative  conditions  that 
now  exist  be  continued  in  all  the  competitive  fields. 

The  discussion  on  this  resolution  brought  out  amendments 
and  substitutes  sufficient  to  cover  all  phases  of  the  situation. 

The  9 cents  differential  between  Ohio  and  the  Pittsburg 
district  developed  strong  arguments  between  the  operators  of 
the  two  latter  named  districts.  Arbitration;  the  day  wage 
scale;  uniform  screens  and  other  suggestions  were  introduced 
that  made  things  interesting  for  several  days.  Mr.  Ratchford 
offered  the  following  resolution : 

Moved  that  an  advance  of  ten  cents  per  ton  for  mining 
screened  coal  take  effect  in  western  Pennsylvania  district. 
Hocking  Valley  district  and  Indiana  bituminous  district  on 
April  1,  1898,  and  that  a relative  run  of  mine  price  be  de- 
termined in  the  districts  named  by  a uniform  flat  (or  Akron 
shaped  bar)  screen  of  72  superficial  feet,  IV4.  inches  space 
between  bars" 

That  the  price  of  run  of  mine  coal  in  the  Illinois  Grape 
Creek  district  and  Indiana  bituminous  be  40  cents  per  ton 
from  same  date,  based  upon  66  cents  in  Pittsburg  thin  vein 
district  and  Hocking  Valley  and  Indiana ; 

That  on  and  after  April  1,  1898,  the  eight-hour  day  shall 
be  in  effect  in  all  of  the. districts  represented. 

That  uniform  wages  for  day  labor  shall  be  paid  the  differ- 
ent classes  of  labor  in  the  fields  named ; 

And  that  internal  differences  in  any  of  the  states,  both  as 
to  prices  and  conditions,  shall  be  referred  to  the  states  af- 
fected ; 


550 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


And  that  we  further  agree  to  the  use  of  the  diamond  bar 
screen,  present  pattern,  in  the  Block  district  if  Indiana,  with 
privilege  of  run  of  mine  as  may  be  desired  by  market  condi- 
tions. 

After  an  amendment  made  by  Thomas  Johnson,  an  Ohio 
operator  to  change  the  Hocking  Valley  price  from  66  to  61 
cents  per  ton,  was  voted  on  and  lost,  on  a final  vote  being 
taken  the  Ratchford  resolution  was  adopted,  with  only  two  out 
of  the  four  votes  cast  by  Ohio  operators  voting  against  it. 

The  passage  of  these  provisions  did  not  close  the  debate  on 
the  differential  question  between  Ohio  and  Pittsburg  opera- 
tors until  the  following  resolutions  were  presented,  acted  upon 
and  agreed  to : 

Moved  that  the  scale  adopted  be  in  effect  April  1,  1898, 
and  continue  in  effect  to  April  1,  1899,  and  that  in  the  month 
of  January  a joint  convention  be  held  to  fix  the  rate  for  the 
ensuing  year  at  a time  and  place  to  be  fixed  at  this  convention. 

That  present  rates  of  mining,  and  present  conditions,  con- 
tinue to  April  1,  1898. 

It  was  then  ordered  that  a committee  on  scale  be  appointed 
to  meet  at  the  Great  Northern  Hotel  the  following  day 
(Thursday,  27th)  at  10  a.  m.,  consisting  of  the  National 
Board  of  the  Miners’  organization  and  two  operators  from 
each  state,  the  Miners’  state  secretaries  being  added  to  the 
committee. 

Resolutions  of  thanks  were  tendered  to  the  Chairman,  l\Ir. 
W.  H.  Holcomb,  and  Miss  Anna  Treadwell,  stenographer  for 
the  Miners,  after  which  the  convention  adjourned. 

F.  S.  Brooks, 

W.  C.  Pearce, 

Secretaries. 

The  following  is  the  joint  agreement  entered  into: 

CHICAGO  JOINT  AGREEMENT  1898. 

Chicago,  Illinois,  January  28,  1898. 
Contract  by  and  between  the  operators  of  the  competitive 

coal  fields  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

The  following  agreement  made  and  entered  into  in  joint 
Interstate  convention  in  this  city,  January  26,  1898,  by  and 
between  the  operators  and  miners  of  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio 


Chicago  Joint  Proceedings,  1898 


551 


and  Western  Pennsylvania,  known  as  the  Pittsburg  thin  vein 
district,  witnesseth: 

First — That  an  equal  price  for  mining  screened  lump  coal 
shall  hereafter  form  a base  scale  in  all  of  the  districts  above 
named,  excepting  the  State  of  Illinois,  the  block  coal  district 
of  Indiana  to  pay  10  cents  per  ton  over  that  of  Hocking  Val- 
ley, Western  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana  bituminous  district, 
and  that  the  price  of  pick  run  of  mine  coal  in  the  Hocking 
Valley  and  Western  Pennsylvania  shall  be  determined  by  the 
actual  per  centage  of  screening  passing  through  such  screen  as 
is  hereinafter  provided,  it  being  understood  and  agreed  that 
screened  or  run  of  mine  coal  may  be  mined  and  paid  for  on 
the  above  basis  at  the  option  of  the  operators,  according  to 
market  requirements,  and  the  operators  of  Indiana  bituminous 
shall  also  have  like  option  of  mining  and  paying  for  run  of 
mine  or  screen  coal. 

Second — That  the  screen  horeby  adopted  for  the  State  of 
Ohio,  Western  Pennsylvania  and  the  bituminous  district  of 
Indiana  shall  be  uniform  in  size,  six  feet  wide  by  12  feet  long, 
built  of  flat  or  Akron  shaped  bar  of  not  less  than  5-8ths  of  one 
inch  surface  with  1 1-4  inches  between  bars,  free  from  ob- 
structions, and  that  such  screens  shall  rest  upon  a sufficient 
number  of  bearings  to  hold  the  bars  in  proper  position. 

Third — That  the  block  coal  district  of  Indiana  may  con- 
tinue the  use  of  the  diamond  screen  at  present  size  and  pattern 
with  the  privilege  of  run  of  mine  coal,  the  mining  price  of 
which  shall  be  determined  by  the  actual  screenings  and  that 
the  State  of  Illinois  shall  be  absolutely  upon  a run  of  mine 
system  and  shall  be  paid  for  on  that  basis. 

Fourth — That  an  advance  of  10  cents  per  ton  of  2,000 
pounds  for  pick  mined  screened  coal  shall  take  effect  in  West- 
ern Pennsylvania,  Hocking  Valley  and  Indiana  bituminous 
districts  on  April  1,  1898,  and  that  Grape  Creek,  Illinois,  and 
the  bituminous  district  of  Indiana  shall  pay  40  cents  per  ton 
run  of  mine  .coal  from  and  after  same  date,  based  upon  66 
cents  per  ton  screened  coal  in  Ohio,  Western  Pennsylvania  and 
the  Indiana  bituminous  district,  same  to  continue  in  force  un- 
til the  expiration  of  this  contract. 

Fifth — That  on  and  after  April  1,  1898,  the  eight-hour 
workday  with  eight  hours’  pay,  consisting  of  six  days  per 
week,  shall  be  in  effect  in  all  of  the  districts  represented  and 
that  uniform  wages  for  day  labor  shall  be  paid  the  different 
classes  of  labor  in  the  fields  named,  and  that  internal  differ- 
ences in  any  of  the  states  or  districts,  both  as  to  prices  or  con- 
ditions shall  be  referred  to  the  states  or  districts  affected  for 
adj  ustment. 


552 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sixth — That  the  same  relative  prices  and  conditions  be- 
tween machine  and  pick  mining  that  have  existed  in  the  dif- 
ferent states  shall  be  continued  during  the  life  of  this  contract. 

Seventh — That  present  prices  for  pick  and  machine  min- 
ing, and  all  classes  of  day  labor,  shall  be  maintained  in  the 
competitive  states  and  districts  until  April  1,  1898. 

Eighth — That  the  United  Mine  Workers’  organization,  a 
party  to  this  contract,  do  hereby  further  agree  to  afford  all 
possible  protection  to  the  trade  and  to  the  other  parties  here- 
to, against  any  unfair  competition  resulting  from  a failure  to 
maintain  scale  rates. 

Ninth — That  this  contract  shall  remain  in  full  force  and 
effect  from  April  1,  1898,  to  April  1,  1899,  and  that  our  next 
annual  Interstate  convention  shall  convene  in  the  city  of  Pitts- 
burg on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January,  1899.  Adopted. 

Signed  for  Illinois  operators,  J.  H.  Garaghty,  E.  T.  Bent. 

Indiana  bituminous  operators,  Walter  L.  Bogle. 

Indiana  block  operators,  C.  B.  Niblock. 

Pittsburg  thin  vein  district  operators,  J.  C.  Dysart,  F.  M. 
Osborne. 

For  Illinois  miners,  J.  M.  Hunter,  W.  D.  Ryan. 

Indiana  bituminous  miners,  W.  G.  Knight,  J.  H.  Kennedy. 

Indiana  block  coal  miners,  J.  E.  Evans. 

For  Ohio  miners,  W.  E.  Farms,  T.  L.  Lewis. 

For  Pittsburg  thin  vein  miners,  Patrick  Dolan,  Edward 
McKay. 

For  West  Virginia  miners,  Henry  Stephenson. 

Members  National  Executive  Board,  United  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America,  Fred  Dilcher,  John  Fahy,  Henry  Stephenson, 
Edward  McKay,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  W.  D.  Ryan. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  President,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

John  Mitchell,  Vice-President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer. 


CONSTITUTION  DISTRICT  No.  5. 

Agreed  to  and  adopted  at  the  annual  convention  held  at 
Pittsburg,  February  28,  March  1,  2,  3,  1898. 

Article  I. — Name  and  Jurisdiction. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  District  5,  LTnited 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  shall  be  composed  of  miners 
and  mine  laborers  working  in  and  about  that  portion  of  Penn- 
sylvania known  as  the  Pittsburg  district. 


Constitution  District  5,  1898 


553 


Article  II. — Officers  and  Their  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  district  shall  be  one  presi- 
dent, one  vice-president,  one  secretary-treasurer,  and  an  Ex- 
ecutive Board  of  nine  members,  three  of  whom  shall  be  the 
President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  shall 
be  elected  at  each  annual  convention;  also  two  auditors  to 
audit  the  books  for  the  ensuing  year;  books  to  be  audited 
semi-annually. 

Sec.  2.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  conventions  of 
the  district ; he  shall,  with  the  consent  of  the  Executive  Board, 
fill  by  appointment  all  vacancies  occurring  in  the  district  offi- 
ces, and  in  like  manner  he  is  authorized  to  suspend  or  remove 
any  district  officer  for  just  or  sufficient  cause;  he  shall  devote 
his  time  and  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  district. 

Sec.  3.  The  Vice-President  shall  perform  the  duties  of 
the  President  in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office  of  that 
official. 

Sec.  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of 
all  books  of  the  district  office;  he  shall  record  proceedings  of 
all  district  conventions,  and  meetings  of  the  Executive  Board ; 
he  shall  receive  and  receipt  for  all  moneys;  pay  all  current 
expenses;  he  shall  prepare  and  submit  to  the  local  unions  a 
semi-annual  report  of  all  moneys  received  and  disbursed,  and 
perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  assigned  him;  he  shall 
give  a bond  of  $1,000  to  be  approved  by  the  Executive  Board 
for  the  safe  keeping  of  all  moneys  entrusted  to  him ; he  shall 
not  have  more  than  $500  subject  to  his  order  at  any  time.  All 
other  funds  must  be  deposited  by  him,  subject  to  the  order  of 
the  Executive  Board. 

Sec.  5.  The  Executive  Board  shall  execute  the  orders  of 
the  district  conventions,  and  between  conventions  shall  have 
full  power  to  direct  the  working  of  the  district.  The  Board 
shall  be  convened  by  the  President,  or  by  the  Secretary-Treas- 
urer at  the  request  of  five  members  of  the  Board. 

Article  III. 

Section-  1.  The  revenue  of  this  district  shall  be  derived 
from  local  unions,  which  shall  pay  direct  to  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer  8 cents  per  month  per  member,  to  be  paid  on  or  be- 
fore the  10th  of  the  following  month. 

Sec.  2.  That  any  and  all  locals  that  are  three  months  in 
arrears  shall  be  considered  in  bad  standing,  and  the  Secretary 
at  the  end  of  two  months  shall  notify  said  local,  and  said  local 
not  complying  with  the  above  shall  be  suspended. 

Sec.  3.  The  President  or  Secretary  of  each  local  union 
shall  send  to  the  District  Secretary  the  number  of  miners  at 
work  at  their  respective  mines  at  least  once  per  month. 


554 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sec.  4.  The  Executive  Board  shall  have  the  power  to  re- 
duce the  per  capita  tax  when  they  deem  it  advisable  to  do  so. 

Sec.  5.  All  newly  organized  locals  shall  have  been  orga- 
nized at  least  two  months  prior  to  the  annual  convention,  and 
shall  have  paid  at  least  one  month’s  tax  not  less  than  one 
month  before  the  date  of  the  annual  convention,  before  being 
entitled  to  representation. 


Article  lY. 

Section  1.  A member  who  has  not  served  as  a local  presi- 
dent or  local  secretary  for  a period  of  six  months  and  who  has 
not  been  in  good  standing  and  member  of  a local  for  six 
months  prior  to  his  election,  shall  not  be  eligible  to  serve  as  a 
District  President,  Vice-President  or  Secretary-Treasurer. 
Any  member  must  be  in  good  standing  for  a period  of  six 
months  prior  to  the  annual  convention  before  being  eligible 
to  serve  any  district  office. 

Sec.  2.  The  salary  of  the  President  and  Secretary-Treas- 
urer shall  be  $65  per  month  and  necessary  expenses ; salarj^  of 
the  Executive  Board  shall  be  $2.50  per  day,  and  necessary  ex- 
penses when  employed  in  the  interests  of  the  district. 

Article  F. 

Section  1.  The  nomination  for  district  officers  shall  be 
forwarded  to  the  District  Secretary-Treasurer  at  least  one 
month  before  the  district  annual  convention,  with  the  neces- 
sary qualifications  of  the  nominees  according  to  Section  I of 
Article  IV.,  and  the  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  send  a list  of 
said  nominations  to  each  local  union  at  least  two  weeks  before 
said  convention,  and  delegates  shall  come  to  the  convention 
instructed  to  vote  for  candidates  for  the  respective  positions. 

Sec.  2.  The  election  of  district  officers  shall  be  by  roll  call 
and  it  shall  require  a majority  of  all  votes  cast  to  elect  any 
district  official. 

Article  VI. 

Section  1.  Whenever  any  trouble  arises  in  any  localitj’ 
the  local  President  shall  notify  the  District  President,  who 
shall  either  personally  attend  to  it  or  detail  a member  of  the 
Executive  Board. 

Sec.  2.  No  member  shall  incur  expenses  in  the  district 
without  first  receiving  orders  from  the  President. 

Article  VII. 

Section  1.  The  annual  convention  of  this  district  shall  be 
held  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  February  of  each  year  in  the 
city  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  Special  conventions  shall  be  called  by 
the  President  when  he  thinks  it  necessary,  or  when  so  in- 


Convention  District  2,  1898 


555 


structed  by  the  Executive  Board,  or  at  the  request  of  five  local 
unions. 

Sec.  2.  Representatives  to  the  district  conventions 
from  affiliated  locals  shall  have  one  vote  for  50  members  or 
less,  and  one  vote  for  each  additional  50  members  or  a ma- 
jority fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative  shall  have  more 
than  three  votes. 

Sec.  3.  No  local  union  shall  be  allowed  representation  in 
district  conventions  who  have  not  complied  with  the  district 
and  national  constitutions. 

Sec.  4.  Representation  to  the  district  convention  shall 
be  based  on  the  average  paid  up  membership  in  the  district 
and  national  organization  for  the  last  three  months  preced- 
ing the  annual  convention. 

Article  Till. 

Section  1.  Alterations  or  amendments  to  this  constitution 
shall  be  sent  in  to  the  District  Secretary  at  least  three  months 
previous  to  the  annual  convention.  The  Executive  Board  shall 
approve  or  disapprove  of  the  same,  giving  their  reasons  there- 
for. The  District  Secretary  shall  have  the  same  printed  and 
sent  to  each  local  at  least  one  month  previous  to  the  district 
convention.  Delegates  shall  come  prepared  to  take  action  on 
amendments  that  are  offered  in  this  manner,  and  no  amend- 
ment shall  be  considered  unless  it  has  gone  through  this 
course. 

Sec.  2.  No  alterations  or  amendments  shall  be  made  to 
this  constitution  except  by  a two-thirds  vote  of  all  members 
present  at  a regular  annual  convention  of  the  district. 


ALTOONA  CONVENTION,  DISTRICT  No.  2. 

Altoona,  Pa.,  April  5,  1898. 

In  the  absence  of  President  George  Harris,  who  was  de- 
tained at  a meeting,  the  convention  was  called  to  order  by  the 
secretary-treasurer,  James  W.  Killduff,  who  requested  the  con- 
vention to  select  a chairman  to  act  until  President  Harris 
arrived.  Chris  Evans,  national  organizer,  was  elected  chair- 
man. Mr.  Evans  in  a neat  speech  explained  the  object  of  the 
convention  and  appointed  the  following  committee  on  creden- 
tials: James  Flynn,  William  Caulfield  and  Richard  Crago. 
The  convention  then  adjourned  to  give  the  committee  time 
to  report. 


556 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


AFTERNOON  SESSION.  :■ 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.  by  Presi- 
dent George  Harris.  The  committee  on  credentials  reported 
the  following  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  convention: 
Edwin  Greenough,  Thomas  Gulliford,  William  Caulfield, 
Thomas  Winters,  Fred  Pepper,  Patrick  Toohey,  T.  A.  Bradley, 
Dan  Lennon,  Michael  Rafferty,  John  Pomroy,  William  Wood, 
G.  W.  Westhoven,  Joseph  Richey,  William  McDermott,  Wm. 
E.  Pugh,  Daniel  Powers,  A.  R.  Fryckland,  John  T.  Cline,  Mor- 
gan Watkins,  Samuel  Morrison,  Edward  Fisher,  John  Lynch, 
Thomas  J.  McGuire,  James  W.  Kilduff,  William  Penhall,  S.  W. 
Long,  William  Garland,  W.  B.  Wilson,  Charles  Marsden,  John 
Fuge,  William  H.  Toule,  James  Flynn,  M.  D.  Morgan,  John  R. 
Paisley,  Albert  Wilkinson,  Hugh  Cairns,  Richard  Gray,  James 
Bateman,  David  M.  Climent,  Richard  Crago,  George  Wilson, 
William  Stewart,  Fred  Wentz,  John  Sullivan. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials  was  received, 
and  the  committee  continued.  The  following  committee  was 
then  appointed  to  see  how  many,  if  any,  operators  were  will- 
ing to  take  part  in  a joint  conference:  W.  B.  Wilson,  P.  Mc- 
Gowan and  William  McDermott.  The  convention  took  a recess 
of  thirty  minutes  to  allow  the  committee  time  to  work.  The 
convention  was  called  to  order  promptly  at  the  end  of  30 
minutes.  The  announcement  was  made  that  the  vice-presi- 
dent, Francis  Richardson,  had  gone  to  Vancouver  Island, 
and  the  office  of  vice-president  was  declared  vacant.  John  T. 
Cline  was  declared  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  The  question  of 
adding  a member  to  the  executive  board,  who  can  speak  the 
foreign  languages,  was  then  discussed  and  John  Wingen  was 
elected  a member  of  the  board.  The  Executive  Board  was 
then  empowered  to  recommend  for  an  organizer’s  commission 
any  reliable  and  competent  member  who  may  be  recommended 
by  his  local  union. 

The  committee  appointed  to  meet  the  operators  reported 
that  they  found  but  two  operators  in  the  city,  L.  W.  Robinson, 
of  Punxsutawney,  and  John  Leahy,  of  Lily,  but  they  were  un- 
willing to  enter  the  conference  without  the  other  operators. 
A motion  that  the  report  be  received  and  the  committee  be 
discharged,  carried.  Member  of  the  National  Executive 


Convention  District  2,  1898 


557 


Board  Edward  McKay,  of  Pittsburg,  being  present,  delivered 
a stirring  address  on  the  mining  situation  throughout  the 
country  and  the  work  the  miners  can  do,  if  they  will.  He 
yielded  the  floor  to  hear  the  reports  of  the  delegates  from  the 
various  parts  of  the  District.  The  delegates  had  not  finished 
their  reports  when  the  hour  for  adjournment  arrived,  and  it 
was  decided  by  motion  to  appoint  a committee  on  resolutions. 
The  following  were  appointed  on  the  committee : James  Flynn, 
W.  B.  Wilson,  Thomas  J.  McGuire,  William  Wood,  William 
Garland,  Daniel  Lennon,  A.  R.  Fryckland,  John  Sullivan, 
Richard  Crago.  The  convention  then  adjourned. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  9 :30  Wednesday 
morning.  President  Harris  in  the  chair.  The  delegates  who 
were  not  heard  the  previous  evening  reported  the  conditions 
of  their  various  localities,  after  which  the  committee  on  reso- 
lutions made  the  following  report,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

Whereas,  The  operators  have  for  the  second  time  refused 
to  meet  us  in  joint  session ; and 

Whereas,  We  have  no  desire  to  act  rashly  upon  a question 
involving  interests  of  such  magnitude  as  the  coal  trade  of  the 
eastern  competitive  field ; now  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  our  district  officers  and  executive  board 
be  instructed  to  push  vigorously  the  work  of  organizing  the 
miners  throughout  the  entire  district;  that  they  continue  ne- 
gotiations with  the  operators  looking  to  a joint  conference; 
that  if  at  any  time  operators  representing  a majority  of  the 
output  in  the  eastern  field  signify  their  willingness  to  go  into 
a joint  conference  with  us  the  executive  board  shall  call  a 
convention  for  that  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  if  the  operators  representing  a majority 
of  the  output  in  said  eastern  field  do  not  at  any  time  signify 
their  willingness  to  meet  us  in  joint  conference  the  executive 
board  shall,  when  in  its  judgment  the  work  of  organizing  has 
progressed  sufficiently  and  the  condition  of  the  trade  war- 
rants it,  notify  all  the  miners  in  the  eastern  field  from  Tioga 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  north  to  Tazewell  county,  Vir- 
ginia, in  the  south,  to  suspend  work  until  the  operators  agree 
to  meet  us  in  joint  session,  or  until  the  conditions  of  the  Chi- 
cago agreement  have  been  complied  with. 

Resolved,  That  from  the  time  when  the  executive  board 
issues  a notice  of  suspension  until  such  suspension  shall  take 
place  shall  not  be  more  than  five  days. 


558 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  the  miners  of  District  No.  2 continue 
work  for  the  present  in  accordance  with  the  previous  resolu- 
tions; provided  that  this  resolution  shall  not  be  so  construed 
as  to  prevent  any  locality  from  stopping  work  to  remedy  local 
grievances. 

It  was  moved  and  adopted  that  this  convention  is  in  favor 
of  the  anti-screen  law  and  its  enforcement  in  all  parts  of  the 
state. 

On  motion,  it  was  decided  to  render  all  possible  assistance 
to  the  men  at  Patton,  who  are  now  on  strike  against  the 
change  from  loading  by  the  ton  to  loading  by  the  car,  which 
means  a reduction  in  price.  The  matter  has  been  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  district  officers  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  Patton 
men  will  receive  the  support  they  deserve  and  are  in  need  of, 
some  of  them  being  idle  about  six  weeks. 

A motion  was  adopted  that  the  convention  favor  the  candi- 
dacy for  assembly  of  William  Wood,  David  Bailey  and  John 
R.  Hill,  of  Clearfield  county. 

A resolution  was  adopted  that,  when  the  delegates  return 
home,  each  use  his  influence  to  have  committees  appointed  to 
solicit  donations  at  the  mines,  to  be  sent  to  the  secretary- 
treasurer  to  push  the  work  of  organization.  Member  of  the 
National  Executive  Board  Edward  McKay,  National  Organi- 
zer Chris  Evans,  Factory  Inspector  T.  A.  Bradley,  President 
Harris  and  others  made  stirring  speeches,  after  which  the 
convention  adjourned. 

James  W.  Killduff,  Secretary-Treasurer. 


DISTRICT  No.  5,  PITTSBURG,  PA. 

Day  wages,  yardage,  mining  prices  for  pick  and  machine, 
screened  and  mine  run  coal,  2,000  pounds  per  ton.  Size  of 
screen,  lf4  inches  between  bars. 

April  1,  1S98,  to 

1897  (lOhrs.)  April  1.  1900  (8  lirs.) 

_$1.68-$2.25 
_ 1.30-  1.60 
_ 1.30-  1.50 
_ .75-  1.25 
_ 1.90-  2.00 
_ 1.20-  1.50 
_ 1.30-  1.50 


Day  Wages,  Outside — 

First  blacksmith 

Dumpers  

Trimmers  

Greasers  

Engineers  

Firemen  

Other  outside  labor  — 


District  5 Comparative  Wage  Scale 


559 


Day  Wages,  Inside — 

Tracklayers  

$1.45-11.85 

$1.90 

Tracklayers’  helpers 

1.75 

Drivers 

_ 1.65- 

1.85 

1.75 

Trappers  __  

- .55- 

.70 

.75 

Gagers  _ _ - 

__  1.35- 

1.60 

1.75 

Trip  rope  riders  __  _ 

1.75 

Water  haulers 

1.50- 

1.65 

1.75 

Timbermen  — — - 

1.90 

Pipemen  — — - _ 

1.85 

Other  inside  labor  — _ — — _ 

1.75 

Pick  Mining,  Per  Ton — 

Thin  vein,  screened  coal  — 

$0.65 

$0.66 

Thick  vein,  screened  coal 

.48-! 

50.52 

.5208 

Thin  vein,  mine  run  coal 

.39 

.4266 

Thick  vein,  mine  run  coal 

.3413 

Room  turning,  neck  not  over  7 yards 

. 2.06 

2.50 

Single  shift  entry,  per  yard 

.82 

1.35 

Double  shift  entry,  per  yard 

1.03 

1.60 

Treble  shift  entry,  per  yard  _ 

1.24 

1.85 

Room  break-throughs,  per  yard  _ 

___  .41 

.95 

Entry  break-throughs,  per 'yard — — 

.95 

Machine  Mining,  Per  ton 


OS  t- 

00  5? 

^ >-rt  C 
t-H 


3 S 

03  g 


Cutting  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  screened  coal $0,121^  $0.08 

Cutting  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0807  0.0517 

Cutting  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 0.10  0.064 

Cutting  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0645  0.0413 

Cutting  in  entries,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 0.13%  0.11 

Cutting  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0870  0.0711 

Cutting  in  entries,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 0.108  

Cutting  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0697  

Loading  in  rooms,  tliin  vein,  screened  coal 0.33  0.33 

Loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.2133  0.2133 

Loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 0.264  0.264 

Loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.1706  0.1706 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal 0.36  0.36 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  mine- 

run  coal  * 0.2327  0.2327 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  screened 

coal  0.288  0.288 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  mine-run 

coal  0.1860  0.1860 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  screen- 
ed coal  0.35  0.35 

Power  Drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  mine- 

run  coal 0.2262  0.2262 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal  , 0.28  0.28 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  mine- 

run  coal  0.1809  0.1809 


560 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  screened 

coal  0.441^ 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine- 

run  coal  0.2S76 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal  0.356 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine- 

run  coal ^ 0.2300 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal 0.43% 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine- 

run  coal  0.2812 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal 0.348 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine- 

run  coal  0.2250 

Loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 0.41% 

Loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.2682 

Loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 0.332 

Loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.2145 

Loading  in  break  througlis,  between  rooms,  thin  vein 

screened  coal 0.39 

Loading  in  break  througlis,  between  rooms,  thin  vein, 

mine-run  coal  , 0.2520 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  rooms,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal  0.312 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  rooms,  thick  vein, 

mine-run  coal  0.2016 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 0.44% 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.2876 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thick  vein,  screened  coal  0.356 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-thorughs,  between 

rooms,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.2300 

Power  drilling,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 0.0200 

Power  drilling,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0130 

Power  drilling,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 0.0160 

Power  drilling,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0100 

Hand  drilling,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 0.0300 

Hand  drilling,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0200 

Hand  drilling,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 0.0240 

Hand  drilling,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 0.0160 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal 0.41% 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thin  vein, 

mine-run  coal 0.2682 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal 0.332 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thick  vein, 

mine-run  coal 0.2145 


JOINT  AGREEMENT. 

A joint  committee,  composed  of  operators  and 
the  Massillon  district,  met  at  Massillon,  April  6, 


0.44% 

0.2876 

0.356 

0.2300 

0.43% 

0.2812 

0.348 

0.2250 

0.41% 

0.2682 

0.332 

0.2145 

0.39 

0.2520 

0.312 

0.2016 

0.44% 

0.2876 

0.356 

0.2300 

0.0200 

0.0130 

0.0160 

0.0100 

0.0300 

0.0200 

0.0240 

0.0160 


miners  of 
1898,  and 


Massillon,  Ohio,  Joint  Wage  Scale 


561 


agreed  upon  the  following  scale  of  prices  for  inside  deadwork 
and  supplies : 


Mining,  per  ton $0.66 

Entry,  single  shift 1.75 

Entry,  double  shift 2.00 

Break-throughs  between  entries,  per  yard 1.50 

Break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard 1.12 

Turning  rooms  1.65 

All  inside  day  labor,  by  miners 1.75 


Dirt  coming  down  unadvoidably,  5 cents  for  every  six  inches. 

Ripping  top  and  bottom,  5 cents  per  inch  per  yard. 

Horsebacks  to  be  agreed  upon  by  miners  and  mine  boss. 

Operators  to  take  water  out  or  to  agree  with  miners  as  to  price. 

Entry  four  yards  wide  to  be  35  cents  per  yard  less  than  narrrow  entry. 
Wet  entry,  price  to  be  agreed  upon  by  miner  and  mine  boss. 


Car  limit,  2,500  pounds. 

Powder,  per  keg $1.60 

Oil,  per  gallon .50 

House  coal,  per  ton 1.40 

Smithing,  entries  : .01% 

Smithing,  rooms .01 


At  the  above  rates  all  persons  are  to  furnish  their  own  oil. 

It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Howells  that  Saturday  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  any  other  day  of  the  week;  that  is  to  say,  that  it 
shall  consist  of  eight  hours’  work.  If,  however,  at  any  time  in 
the  future,  it  shall  be  known  that  any  district  in  the  state 
shall  agree  to  work  only  one-half  day  on  Saturdays,  we,  the 
operators  in  the  Massillon  district,  agree  to  take  the  matter  up 
with  a committee  of  miners  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

Moved,  by  Mr.  Howells,  that  one  hour  for  dinner  shall  be 
the  rule  in  the  Massillon  coal  district.  However,  if  less  time 
shall  be  generally  adopted  throughout  the  state  of  Ohio,  we, 
the  operators  of  the  Massillon  district,  are  willing  to  take  the 
matter  up  with  a committee  of  miners  appointed  for  the 
purpose. 

Moved,  by  Mr.  Howells,  that  sun  time  shall  be  used  in  the 
Massillon  coal  district,  work  to  commence  at  7 o’clock  a.  m., 
taking  one  hour  for  dinner  from  11  to  12 ; quitting  time  at  4 
o’clock  p.  m.,  sun  time.  If,  however,  standard  time  shall  be 
generally  adopted  in  the  Ohio  coal  districts,  the  Massillon  op- 
erators expect  and  shall  use  standard  time  also. 

All  inside  labor  to  be  same  as  adopted  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
as  follows: 


Track  layers  $1.90 

Track  layers’  helpers 1.75 


562 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Trappers  .75 

Bottom  cagers  1.75 

Drivers  1.75 

Trip  drivers  1.75 

Water  haulers  1.75 

Timber  men  1.90 

Pipe  men  for  compressed  air  plants 1.85 

All  other  inside  day  labor 1.75 


Signed  on  behalf  of  miners  by: 

Wm.  Morgan,  District  President. 

M.  B.  Evans,  District  Vice-President. 
John  Williams,  Secretary-Treasurer. 
Frank  Welch. 

Stephen  J.  Evans. 

James  Crichton. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  operators  by: 

J.  P.  Burton,  Chairman. 

E.  E.  Fox,  Secretary. 

A.  Howell. 

J.  F.  POCOCK. 

R.  H.  Wainwright. 

James  Wilson. 

W.  J.  Mullins. 

THE  PITTSBURG  SCALE, 

AS  AGREED  UPON  BETWEEN  MINERS  AND  OPER- 
ATORS AT  A CONFERENCE  HELD  AT  PITTS- 
BURG ON  APRIL  8 TO  11,  1898. 


When  the  price  of  fi^-inch  screen  coal  is  per  ton $0.66 

Room  turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  7 yards 2.50 

Entry  work,  for  1 yard  of  entry  completed 1.35 

Entry  work,  for  1 yard  of  entry  complete,  double  shift,  per  yard 1.60 

Entry  work,  for  1 yard  of  entry,  treble  shift,  per  yard 1.85 

For  12-foot  places — 

Break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard .95 

Break-throughs  between  entries,  where  slate  is  taken  do\vn  or  comes 

down  and  has  to  be  removed,  per  yard : 1.35 

Break-throughs  between  entries,  where  slate  is  not  taken  do\ra .95 

Pick  sharpening,  on  the  dollar .01  Vi 


Machine  Mining 

Harrison,  Ingersoll  or  Sullivan  Machines — 

The  undercutting  in  rooms,  per  ton -12^ 

For  loading  in  rooms,  per  ton -33 

For  drilling  by  hand  and  loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .36 

For  drilling  by  power  and  loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .35 

For  cutting  in  entries,  per  ton -13V^ 


Joint  Agreement  District  23  563 

For  loading  in  entries,  per  t(ni : -41% 

For  driiiing  by  hand  and  ioading  in  entries,  per  ton -44% 

For  driiiing  by  power  and  ioading  in  entries,  per  ton -43% 

Loading  in  break-tliroiiglis,  between  entries,  per  ton -41% 

Loading  and  hand  driiiing  in  break-tlironghs  in  entries,  per  ton -44% 

Loading  in  break-thronghs  between  rooms,  per  ton .39 

Loading  and  hand  driiiing  in  break-throughs  in  rooms,  per  ton .42 

Driiiing  by  power  driii,  per  ton .02 

Driiiing  by  iiand  driii,  per  ton .13% 

For  ioading  and  cutting  in  room  turning  entry  price  siiaii  be  paid. 

Jeffrey,  Link-Beit,  Morgan-Gardner,  Cliain  !Macliines — 

For  undercutting  in  rooms,  per  ton .08 

For  undercutting  in  entries,  per  ton .11 


All  loading  and  drilling  after  this  machine  to  be  the  same 
as  that  paid  for  Harrison,  Ingersoll  or  Sullivan  machines. 
For  cutting  clay  veins,  spar,  etc.,  the  price  to  be  30  per  cent, 
less  than  by  pick  for  Harrison  machine  and  37  per  cent,  less 
than  by  pick  for  Jeffrey  machine,  to  be  divided  between  cutter 
and  loader  in  same  relative  proportion  as  paid  for  room  work, 
(this  to  be  figured  out  when  the  scale  is  complete). 

The  hours  of  day  labor  at  all  mines  to  be  from  7 o’clock 
a.  m.  until  12  noon,  with  one  full  hour  for  dinner,  and  then 
from  1 o’clock  p.  m.  until  4 o’clock  p.  m. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT,  DISTRICT  23,  1898. 

The  following  agreement,  entered  into  in  the  joint  conven- 
tion at  Central  City,  Kentucky,  April  14,  1898,  by  and  between 
the  mine  operators  (of  the  Louisville  Division  of  the  J.  C.  and 
the  0.  and  N.  roads)  and  their  employes,  witnesseth: 

PICK  MINING. 

Resolution  No.  1. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  pick  mining,  for  the  year  end- 
ing March  31,  1899,  shall  be  66  cents  per  ton,  over  the  district 
standard  screen:  It  is  distinctly  understood  that  when  any 

company  uses  a shaker  screen  that  screens  more  than  the 
standard  screen  they  shall  weigh  coal  in  the  cars  on  a run  of 
mine  basis.  It  is  agreed  that  the  ratio  of  lump  coal  to  mine 
run  over  li/^-inch  district  standard  screen  shall  be  based  on 
62  per  cent  going  into  the  weigh  box,  and  this  per  cent  shall 
regulate  the  ratio  of  lump  and  run  of  mine  coal  whenever  any 
change  is  made  in  the  price  of  mining. 

That  the  mine  run  price  shall  be  41  cents  per  ton,  an 
equivalent  of  62  per  cent  of  66  cents,  the  price  of  lump  coal. 


564 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


It  is  understood  that  coal  shall  be  mined  2^  feet,  and  the 
solid  may  be  shot  not  more  than  an  equal  amount. 


Resolution  No.  2. 


Resolved,  That  the  price  of  yardage  in  entries  shall  be  $1 
per  yard,  but  when  the  entry  exceeds  10  feet  and  not  more 
than  12  feet  the  price  shall  be  75  cents  per  yard,  and  no  yard- 
age shall  be  paid  in  excess  of  12  feet. 

Should  the  bank  boss  and  miner  driving  an  entry  agree 
that  it  is  wet,  then  the  miner  shall  receive  25  cents  per  yard 
extra. 

Resolution  No.  S. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  turning  rooms  shall  be  $3  per 
room. 


MACHINE  MINING. 


Resolution  No.  Jf. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  drilling,  shooting,  loading 
and  timbering,  after  the  chain  and  punch  machines,  shall  be 
one-half  of  the  price  of  pick  mining. 

There  shall  be  no  differential  in  loading  between  the 
punch  and  chain  machines,  on  condition  that  the  companies 
using  chain  machines  brad  the  coal,  handle  the  slack  and  take 
up  the  bottom. 

Resolution  No.  5. 

Resolved,  That  chain  machine  runners  and  helpers  shall 
be  paid  at  the  rate  of  $3.75  per  27  cuts,  under  ordinary  condi- 
tions, divided:  $2  to  the  runner  and  $1.75  to  the  helper;  and 
when  they  work  by  the  day  the  runner  shall  receive  25  cents 
an  hour  and  the  helper  21%  cents  per  hour. 

The  punch  machine  runners  shall  receive  6 cents  per  ton 
and  the  helpers  4 cents  per  ton  for  mine  run  coal ; and  when 
they  work  by  the  day  the  runner  shall  receive  25  cents  per 
hour  and  the  helper  cents  per  hour. 

Resolution  No.  6. 

Resolved,  That  the  yardage  for  chain  machines  and  punch 
machines  shall  be  50  cents  per  yard,  to  be  divided  as  follows : 
35  cents  to  the  loader,  8 cents  to  the  cutter  and  7 cents  to  the 
helper  in  chain  machine  mines,  and  261/2  cents  to  the  loader, 
14  cents  to  the  cutter  and  9%  cents  to  the  helper  in  punch 
machine  mines. 

Resolution  No.  7. 

Resolved,  That  turning  rooms  in  machine  mines  shall  be 
paid  for  by  the  yard  at  50  cents  per  yard,  divided  between 
loaders  and  cutters  and  their  helpers. 


Joint  Agreement  District  23,  1898 


565 


Resolution  No.  8. 

Resolved,  That  the  company  shall  lay  all  roads  and  timber 
all  bad  places  not  caused  by  the  miner’s  own  negligence. 

Resolution  No.  9. 

Resolved,  That  a square  turn  shall  be  kept  over  the  mines 
in  rooms  and  narrow  work,  under  ordinary  conditions.  Half 
turn  to  boys  between  12  and  16  years. 


Resolution  No.  10. 

Resolved,  That  miners  absent  without  notice  to  their  bank 
boss  for  three  consecutive  days  shall  forfeit  their  working 
place. 

Resolution  No.  11. 

Resolved,  That  any.  miner  loading  an  unusual  amount  of 
slate,  sulphur  or  other  impurities  shall  be  laid  off  one  day  for 
each  offense.  The  weighmaster  and  the  checkweighman  to  be 
the  judges  of  such  unusual  amount,  and  any  miner  laid  off 
three  times  during  any  one  month  shall  then  be  subject  to 
discharge. 

Resolution  No.  12. 

Resolved,  That  the  checkweighman  shall  have  a number  to 
run  his  account,  and  shall  be  allowed  to  cut  each  miner  to  an 
amount  not  exceeding  $1  per  month. 

It  is  distinctly  understood  that  such  cuts  must  be  with 
the  approval  of  each  miner. 

Any  additional  cuts  can  only  be  made  on  the  written  order 
of  each  employe,  and  such  orders  shall  be  payable  out  of  the 
cash  balance  due  to  said  employe  on  pay  day. 

That  no  miner  shall  be  blacklisted  who  does  not  agree  to 
have  checkweighman  or  other  cuts  collected. 

Union  and  non-union  men  shall  be  employed  without  prej- 
udice. 

Resolution  No.  13. 

Resolved,  That  no  mass  meeting  shall  be  held  during  work- 
ing hours,  on  or  off  the  companies’  premises,  when  the  mine  is 
running,  and  anyone  calling  a meeting  shall  be  subject  to 
discharge. 

No  committee  shall  visit  any  employe  at  his  working  place 
except  in  company  with  the  bank  boss,  to  settle  a grievance 
and  any  employe  caught  out  of  his  working  place  during  work- 
ing hours,  except  for  satisfactory  reasons,  is  liable  to  have 
his  turn  stopped  at  the  option  of  the  bank  boss. 


566 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolution  No.  IJf. 

Resolved,  That  all  labor  shall  be  paid  for  by  the  hour  or 
quarters  of  hours  and  that  eight  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s 
labor,  so  far  as  mine  laborers  and  miners  are  concerned,  but 
the  eight  hours  shall  not  affect  the  engineers,  firemen,  pump- 
ers, outside  teamsters,  night  watchmen  or  special  repair 
work,  nor  such  men  as  are  now  paid  by  the  month. 

That  an  eight-hour  day  means  eight  hours’  work  in  the 
mine  at  usual  working  places  for  all  classes  of  day  labor  and 
miners,  and  any  miner  late  without  reasonable  excuse  shall 
forfeit  his  turn  for  the  day.  This  shall  be  exclusive  of  the 
time  required  in  reaching  working  places  and  departing  from 
same  at  night. 

Regarding  drivers,  they  shall  take  their  mules  to  and  from 
the  stable,  and  the  time  in  so  doing  shall  not  include  any  part 
of  the  day’s  work,  their  work  beginning  when  they  reach  the 
change  at  which  they  receive  empty  cars,  but  in  no  case  shall 
a driver’s  time  be  docked  while  he  is  waiting  for  such  cars  at 
point  named. 

That  the  following  scale  of  wages  shall  be  paid  for  inside 
work: 


Per  Day 


Tracklayers $1.75 

Tracklayers’  helpers 1.60 

Trappers  .50 

Bottom  cagers  1.60 

Drivers  1.60 

Riders  ^ 1.60 

Water  haulers  1.60 

Timbermen  1.75 

Pipemen  1.70 

All  other  inside  day  labor 1.60 


The  present  outside  scale  of  wages  per  hour  in  force  at 
each  mine  shall  remain  unchanged,  except  that  we  agree  that 
eight  hours’  work  shall  receive  nine  hours’  pay. 


Resolutimi  No.  15. 

That  there  shall  be  no  boys  employed  as  drivers,  except  on 
straight  track,  and  said  drivers  shall  receive  25  cents  per  day 
less  than  the  district  scale. 


Resolution  No.  16. 

Resolved,  That  employes  are  liable  to  be  discharged  for : 

(a)  Disorderly  conduct. 

(b)  Gambling  and  shooting  on  the  company’s  premises. 

(c)  Taking  coal,  tools,  timber,  etc.,  without  permission. 


Joint  Agreement  District  23,  1898 


567 


(d)  Firing  before  the  run  stops  without  permission  of 
the  bank  boss. 

(e)  Committing  a nuisance  in  entries,  airways  or  the 
necks  of  rooms. 

Resolution  No.  17. 

Resolved,  That  in  case  of  a death  in  the  family  of  an  em- 
ploye the  following  rules  shall  prevail : 

(a)  Death  by  accident  in  or  around  the  mine  shall  lay 
the  mine  idle  until  after  the  funeral. 

(b)  Death  of  a grown  person  or  employe  from  natural 
causes,  the  mine  will  lie  idle  on  the  afternoon  of  the  funeral. 

(c)  On  the  death  of  a child  or  minor,  the  work  will  not 
lie  idle,  but  those  wishing  to  attend  the  funeral  may  do  so. 

The  turn  lost  by  the  grave  diggers  in  the  last  two  rules 
shall  be  made  up  to  them  during  the  month. 

Resolution  No.  18. 

Resolved,  That  we  require  that  married  men  shall  at  all 
times  form  the  majority  of  all  grievance  committees. 

Resolution  No.  19. 

Resolved,  That  in  all  conferences  the  employes  of  each 
mine,  or  especially  the  mine  affected,  shall  be  represented  by 
not  less  than  three  of  the  employes  of  such  mine,  and  that  the 
voting  power  shall  always  be  vested  in  such  employes,  but  this 
does  not  preclude  the  presence  of  any  officials  of  the  labor 
organization. 

Resolution  No.  20. 

Resolved,  That  there  shall  be  a board  of  arbitration  and 
conciliation  to  adjust  all  disputes  arising  under  this  agree- 
ment, composed  of  three  on  each  side,  with  power  to  select  an 
umpire,  and  their  decision  shall  be  final  and  binding  on  all 
parties  to  this  agreement  and  those  they  represent,  but  under 
no  circumstances  shall  work  stop,  and  any  suspension  of  work 
before  the  decision  of  the  arbitrator  is  received,  such  sus- 
pension will  be  sufficient  cause  to  discharge  all  parties  caus- 
ing the  dispute. 

« Resolution  No.  21. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  spirit  of  this  agreement  that,  in 
consideration  of  the  co-operation  of  the  mining  companies 
with  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  said  organization 
• must  at  all  times  show,  when  required,  that  they  control  two- 
thirds  of  the  mine  employes  of  the  district  making  this  agree- 
ment, and  in  consideration  of  such  co-operation  the  said  orga- 
nization guarantees  uniformity  and  equality  of  mining  and 


568 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


day  scale  wages  with  other  competitive  mines,  especially  those 
of  western  Kentucky. 

This  has  special  reference  to  the  I.  C.  and  0.  and  N.  mines 
for  immediate  uniformity,  but  this  equality  is  guaranteed 
with  the  Henderson  division  mines  by  September  1,  1898. 

Resoluiion  No.  22. 

Resolved,  That  this  contract  goes  into  effect  May  1,  1898, 
and  continues  in  force  until  March  31,  1899. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  suscribed  our  names, 
this  14th  day  of  April,  1898. 

C.  L.  Field, 

Simon  Jones, 

J.  S.  Williams, 

C.  W.  Taylor, 

Guy  M.  Deane, 

Operator’s  Scale  Committee. 

J.  F.  Smith, 

Joe  B.  Reed, 

James  A.  Walker, 

Thomas  R.  Jeffreys, 

J.  H.  Williams, 

Miners’  Scale  Committee. 

W.  G.  Duncan, 

Hywell  Davies, 

Advisory  for  Operators 
W.  G.  Knight, 

Joseph  Smith, 

Advisory  for  Miners. 
Guy  M.  Deane, 

Secretary  for  Operators. 
James  Wood, 

Secretary  for  Miners. 

SPECIAL  CONVENTION,  DISTRICT  No.  5. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  May  5,  1898. 

At  a special  convention  of  District  No.  5,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  held  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  May  5,  1898,  with 
106  delegates  present,  Patrick  Dolan,  president,  and  William 
Warner,  secretary,  made  reports,  the  principal  objects  of 
which  were  to  familiarize  the  delegates  with  the  true  situa- 
tion in  the  Pittsburg  district.  After  various  committees  had 


Special  Convention  District  5,  1898 


569 


been  appointed  and  reports  of  officers  accepted,  it  was  moved 
that  the  report  of  a joint  committee,  that  had  been  appointed 
to  make  a test  on  run  of  mine  coal,  be  made  to  the  convention. 
Their  joint  report  follows: 

Committee  of  operators  and  miners,  appointed  to  make  the 
test  on  percentage  of  coal  going  through  and  over  the  screen, 
came  to  order  with  W.  F.  Sanford,  operator,  in  the  chair. 

W.  J.  Steen  mine,  pick  mine,  60.29  per  cent. 

Montour  mine,  Imperial,  pick  mine,  63  per  cent. 

Snowden  mine,  pick  mine,  70.30  per  cent. 

Margerum  mine,  pick  mine,  70.10  per  cent. 

Keiling  mine,  pick  mine,  61.90  per  cent. 

Moon  Run  mine,  pick  and  machine,  63.70  per  cent. 

Willock  mine,  machine,  62.65  per  cent. 

Willock  mine,  pick  and  machine,  65.79  per  cent. 

West  Newton,  pick  and  machine,  60  per  cent. 

Manown  mine,  machine  mine,  62.60  per  cent. 

Tremont  mine,  machine  mine,  71.28  per  cent. 

Redbird  mine,  pick  mine,  60  per  cent. 

Apollo  mine,  pick  mine,  58.20  per  cent. 

Little  Red  Stone,  machine  mine,  71.10  per  cent. 

Johnson  mine,  machine  mine,  63.9  per  cent. 

Catsburg,  machine  mine,  64.40  per  cent. 

Camden  mine,  pick  mine,  68.80  per  cent. 

White  Lily  mine,  machine  mine,  58.20  per  cent. 

Port  Royal,  machine  mine,  69.80  per  cent. 

Gallatin  mine,  pick  and  machine  mine,  71.80  per  cent. 
Creedmore,  machine  mine,  66.50  per  cent. 

Mansfield  No.  2,  pick  mine,  61.20  per  cent. 

National,  pick  mine,  65.15  per  cent. 

Nickel  Plate,  machine  mine,  61.35  per  cent. 

No.  2 Rend,  machine  mine,  66.50  per  cent. 

Jumbo,  machine  mine,  63.5  per  cent. 

Champion,  machine  mine,  64.84  per  cent. 

Total,  1,745.27  per  cent. 

Twenty-seven  mines  averaging  64.64  per  cent. 

This  report  is  to  be  sent  to  committee  on  dead  work  and 
run-of-mine  price. 


570 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  above  report  is  a correct  copy  of  findings  of  com- 
mittee. 

N.  F.  Sanford,  Chairman, 
George  Hozack, 

J.  W.  Blower, 

Uriah  Bellingham, 

Robert  Johnston,  Committee. 
William  Dodds,  Secretary. 

Later,  the  committee  returned,  that  had  met  the  operators, 
and  reported  that  they  had  agreed  upon  42.66  per  cent,  per 
ton  for  run-of-mine,  based  on  66  cents  over  li/4-inch  screen. 

Run-of-mine  in  the  thick  vein,  34.13  cents  per  ton. 

Screen  coal  in  the  thick  vein,  52.8  cents. 

They  further  reported  regarding  the  question  of  machine 
rates  in  narrow  work,  that  the  operators  employing  Harrison 
machine  cutters  were  willing  to  advance  all  narrow  work  2 
cents  per  ton,  provided  the  Jeffrey  machine  scale  was  advanced 
proportionately. 

The  Jeffrey  machine  operators’  representatives  not  being 
prepared  to  consider  such  a question,  we  were  forced  to 
adjourn. 

At  the  second  day’s  session,  President  Dolan  was  given  un- 
limited time  to  address  the  convention,  during  which  time  he 
reported  the  following  detective  incident : 

President  Dolan  proceeded  to  identify  J.  D.  Gray,  delegate 
from  Smithton  Local  Union,  who  was  also  recording  secretarjq 
as  a paid  detective  in  the  employ  of  a detective  agency,  which 
employs  men  to  spy  on  the  miners  and  their  officials  and  re- 
port all  actions  of  miners  and  conventions. 

At  the  conclusion  of  President  Dolan’s  remarks,  Delegate 
J.  D.  Gray  surrendered  the  notes  he  had  taken  and  withdrew 
from  the  convention. 

After  three  days’  deliberation  of  grievances,  which  were 
many,  on  scale  prices  and  other  matters,  it  was  moved  that 
the  adjustment  of  the  scale  be  left  in  the  hands  of  the  officials, 
and  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

Patrick  Dolan,  President. 

William  Warner,  Secretary. 


ScAiFE  ON  Gov.  Tanner  of  Illinois 


571 


MAY  19,  1898. 

The  latest  southern  news  is  to  the  effect  that  a district  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  was  organized  at  Pratt 
City,  Alabama,  on  Monday,  May  23,  1898.  W.  R.  Fairley,  of 
Pratt  City,  was  elected  President.  S.  P.  Cheatham  and  John 
Kelly,  of  Blocton,  were  elected  Vice-President  and  Secretary- 
Treasurer  respectively.  There  were  delegates  in  attendance 
from  ten  mining  camps,  representing  nearly  eleven  hundred 
miners. 

Bill  Scaife  of  Illinois,  on  Governor  Tanner,  in  Journal  of 
May,  1898: 

The  most  pleasing  incident  of  the  week,  to  my  way  of 
thinking,  was  the  way  the  Governor  turned  down  the  Miss 
Nancy  aristocracy  of  Illinois  and  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  inci- 
dentally that  “dude”  ■ who  banks  on  the  great  name  of  his 
father,  John  A.  Logan.  Illinois,  in  its  national  guard,  has  a 
command  of  cavalary.  Logan  and  his  blue  blooded  friends 
conceived  the  idea  of  turning  down  the  colonel  who  has  been 
commanding  it  and  usurping  his  place,  and  brought  pressure 
on  the  Governor  to  induce  him  to  countenance  their  high 
handed  policy.  But  for  once  they  were  mistaken  in  their  man 
and  got  some  hot  shot  poured  broadside  into  their  flanks  that 
must  have  made  them  wince.  The  pungent  remarks  the  Gov- 
ernor made  is  what  tickled  me.  Here  is  the  Tanner  language : 
“I  have  no  patience  with  this  Miss  Nancy  aristocracy  which 
seeks  these  preferments.  It  is  against  my  judgment  and  my 
policy  to  grant  appointments  of  honor,  of  responsibility  and 
renown  to  the  sons  of  great  men  simply  because  of  their 
parentage.  Whenever  we  begin  that  the  decay  of  the  republic 
will  have  begun.  It  is  seldom  that  the  names  of  great  men 
are  perpetuated  by  their  sons.  The  men  who  attain  distinction 
come  from  the  farm  and  the  other  ordinary  vocations  of  life. 
To  reach  the  same  development  the  men  who  are  to  come  after 
them  must  climb  upward  by  their  own  exertions  and  take  the 
same  hard  road  which  others  have  traveled. 

“Let  him  earn  the  right  to  it  by  his  own  exertions  and 
come  back  from  the  fleld  with  a reputation  for  himself,”  said 
Governor  Tanner,  “and  I will  take  off  my  hat  to  him  with  as 
great  pleasure  as  to  any  man  on  earth.” 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

PITTSBURG  JOINT  CONFERENCE. 


On  May  19,  1898,  there  was  a joint  conference  between 
operators  and  miners  of  the  Monongahela  river,  held  at  Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  adjust  prices 
on  the  four  pools  in  order  to  make  them  more  uniform  and  in 
conformity  with  what  was  said  to  be  for  the  best  interest  of 
the  whole. 

The  conference  elected  Patrick  Dolan,  miner,  to  preside, 
and  W.  H.  Flint,  operator,  secretary.  The  following  were 
appointed  as  credentials  committee:  Operator  George  W. 

Theis;  for  miners,  John  Wilkes,  Edward  Haley,  and  August 
Raymond. 

Credentials  committee  reported  the  following  miners’ 
delegates  present:  Robert  Phillips,  Geo.  Greabs,  Geo.  Taylor, 
Geo.  Strasser,  Thos.  Norman,  A.  D.  Steves,  Anthony  Dean, 
John  Morgan,  Aug.  Rehman,  Geo.  Luxon,  Ed  Soppirt,  Ted 
Eisenbarth,  Mathew  Cloonen,  John  Wadsworth,  L.  Jones, 
James  Berry,  J.  J.  Gibbons,  Wm.  Parsgrove,  A.  Brown,  J.  B. 
McLaughlin,  Samuel  Gregory,  John  Hergert,  J.  Wilkes,  Ed 
Haley,  J.  W.  Sarver,  J.  Jones. 

Operators  present:  Gus  Dales,  A.  Inskeep,  H.  C.  Bugh- 

man,  A.  Dempster,  Pursglove,  T.  M.  Jenkins,  Geo. 

Lysle,  A.  D.  Sharp,  W.  W.  O’Neill,  T.  J.  Wood,  Sam  Pearsall, 

Thos.  Briggs,  Bausman,  Van  Horn,  Geo.  W. 

Theis,  J.  W.  Ailes,  W.  C.  Jutte,  S.  A.  Wilson,  W.  H.  Flint, 

Jones, Van  Eman, Blower,  W.  J.  Wood, 

Blythe,  W.  B.  Rodgers,  S.  L.  Wood. 

The  following  were  appointed  as  committee  on  rules:  For 
Operators — W.  B.  Rodgers,  J.  W.  Ailes,  0.  A.  Blackburn ; for 
Miners — Geo.  Taylor,  Second  Pool;  Louis  Jones,  Third  Pool; 
John  Wadsworth,  Fourth  Pool.  Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

After  the  necessary  committees  had  been  appointed  a paper 
was  read  by  Operator  A.  D.  Sharp  of  Champion,  said  to  be 

(572) 


Joint  Conference,  District  5 


573 


in  behalf  of  I.  N.  Bunton,  of  the  First  Pool,  dealing  exten- 
sively with  the  questions  involved,  including  “lack  of  uni- 
formity and  unjust  discrimination”  inaugurated  upwards  of 
thirty  years  ago. 

In  the  early  days  the  paper  said : A differential  of  % cent 
per  bushel  was  allowed  to  operators  of  the  first  pool,  as 
against  the  lower  end  of  the  river.  The  writer  of  the  paper 
read,  stated  that  he  was  addressing  himself  to  the  miners 
whom  he  considered  masters  of  the  situation  and  advised  that 
the  object  could  only  be  attained  by  at  once  eliminating  all 
differentials,  and  fixing  one  uniform  rate  for  the  whole  river, 
from  one  end  to  the  other. 

The  question  was  discussed  by  representatives  of  the 
third  and  fourth  pools,  as  against  the  arguments  used  by 
those  of  the  first  and  second  pools,  with  much  earnestness. 

Resolutions,  amendments  and  substitutes  were  also  offered, 
that  made  interesting  reading,  and  for  a few  days  a very  active 
spirit  of  the  spectacular  kind  took  possession  of  the  joint  con- 
ference held,  but  the  force  of  the  vernacular  having  somewhat 
subsided,  it  was  finally  “Resolved,”  by  Mr.  Dempster,  “That 
the  question  of  differentials  on  the  river  is  one  for  arbitra- 
tion, and  that  it  be  submitted  to  a committee  composed  of 
Michael  Ratchford,  Patrick  Dolan,  Edward  McKay,  and  Wil- 
liam Warner,  with  one  operator  from  each  pool;  in  case  it 
is  decided  in  the  affirmative,  they  shall  make  arrangements 
for  a just  and  fair  arbitration,  and  that  they  shall  further  de- 
cide what  the  price  of  mining  shall  be  from  now  until  the 
arbitration  board  makes  its  award.”  This  resolution  was 
adopted  and  the  conference  adjourned  sine  die. 

The  following  announcement  was  made  at  the  close  of 
the  conference: 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  May  31,  1898. 

To  the  Operators  and  Miners  of  the  Monongahela  Valley  of 

the  Pittsburg' District. 

Gentlemen : 

Under  a resolution  adopted  at  our  last  joint  convention 
held  in  this  city  May  19-21,  we,  your  committee,  met  today 
to  consider  the  question  of  the  arbitration  of  the  differentials 
of  the  different  pools  of  the  Monongahela  river,  with  the  fol- 
lowing result : 

First — 'That  the  arbitration  of  the  mining  prices  in  any  of 


574 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  districts  governed  by  the  Chicago  agreement  would  be 
a violation  of  the  agreement,  as  will  be  seen  by  its  preamble, 
as  follows:  “Chicago,  January  28. — Contract  between  the 
operators  of  the  central  coal  fields  and  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America;  The  following  agreement  made  and 
entered  into  in  joint  interstate  convention  in  this  city  (Chi- 
cago, 111.),  by  and  between  the  operators  and  miners  of  Illi- 
nois, Indiana,  Ohio  and  Western  Pennsylvania,  known  as  the 
Pittsburg  thin  vein  district,  witnesseth:” 

Second — That  the  prices  fixed  in  Chicago  were  relatively 
fair  and  competitive  and  agreed  to  by  all  representatives  of  the 
fields  named,  and  that  the  departure  from  such  prices  during 
the  life  of  our  contract  would  unjustly  affect  and  injure  the 
interests  of  all  of  the  districts  represented. 

Third — That  the  interests  who  are  suing  for  arbitration, 
namely  the  operators  of  the  third  pool  of  the  Monongahela 
river,  were  parties  to  the  Chicago  agreement  and  fully  sub- 
scribed to  all  of  its  provisions,  and  are,  therefore,  not  en- 
titled to  any  lower  prices  than  that  provided  for  the  thin  vein 
district  during  the  life  of  our  present  agreement. 

Fourth — That,  if  concessions  of  this  character  were 
granted  in  any  of  the  fields  governed  by  our  agreement  it 
would  no  doubt  lead  to  the  demoralization  and  disruption  of 
our  present  joined  relations,  which  we  have  labored  so  long 
and  so  hard  to  accomplish. 

In  view  of  these  facts  and  others  that  might  be  given 
showing  the  fairness  and  justness  of  the  position  we  have 
taken,  we,  your  committee,  do  heartily  recommend  to  all  miners 
and  operators  that  the  Chicago  agreement  be  strictly  adhered 
to  at  all  the  mines  in  this  district,  and  that  wherever  such 
prices  are  not  acceded  to,  the  miners  will  take  the  necessarj^ 
steps  to  enforce  it. 

Signed,  in  behalf  of  the  operators : 

I.  N.  Bunton, 

W.  B.  Rodgers, 

W.  W.  O’NEIL. 

In  behalf  of  the  miners : 

Pat  Dolan, 

William  Warner, 

M.  D.  Ratchford. 

PROCEEDINGS— DISTRICT  12  AND  JOINT 
CONFERENCE. 

A special  convention  of  the  Illinois  miners  was  held  at 
Springfield,  May  19,  1898,  with  the  object  of  adjusting  pick 


Special  and  Joint  Conventions,  District  12  575 


and  machine  mining  prices  through  a joint  conference  with 
operators. 

President  John  Hunter  presided,  and  W.  D.  Ryan  acted  as 
secretary. 

After  reading  the  call  issued,  John  D.  Davison,  A.  B.  Stor- 
mont, and  H.  A.  Windsor  were  appointed  a committee  on  cre- 
dentials. The  committee  reported  delegates  entitled  to  seats 
as  follows : Aron  Devall,  Harry  McGlasson,  Jas.  H.  Hanisson, 
Duncan  Cameron,  James  K.  Conner,  Chas.  Papproth,  Jas. 
Brooks,  David  Jones,  Edward  Murphy,  W.  E.  Smith,  Emil 
Grabuck,  Jno.  E.  Miller,  Thos.  Pritchard,  Wm.  Hefti,  Albert 
Neutzling  Jas.  Beattie,  Wm.  Bailie,  John  Demlow  Jas.  Boston, 
Mathias  Koener,  Wm.  Sherman,  Wm,  Pearson,  Martin  Duffy, 
Morris  J.  Powers,  John  Green,  Martin  Gergens,  Thos.  Davi- 
son, Mat.  Johnson,  C.  Ogles,  Frank  Welch,  R.  L.  Anderson, 
Evan  Owens,  John  Pierce,  Wilford  Ward,  Jos.  Sutton,  Wm. 
Knowles,  Martin  Bolt,  Dan  Bradley,  John  Schultz,  Geo.  Boyce, 
W.  McPeak,  Geo.  Grim,  David  Allen,  Wm.  H.  Wright,  L. 
Fuerst,  Robt.  Richardson,  L.  S.  Hurt,  Wm.  Irwin,  Thos.  His- 
cock,  Lawson  Crichton,  W.  E.  Hawley,  J.  J.  McGovern,  Jas. 
Murphy,  John  McGarrity,  Thos.  Moses,  Jacob  W.  Bayer,  Jos. 
Manuel,  Jas.  Burns,  Peter  Retzheimer,  Jos.  Parson,  Daniel 
Mahan,  Patrick  Cardill,  Dan  Beeger,  Gear  McGee,  Geo. 
Brown,  Wm.  Proctor,  Geo.  McNeill,  Lewis  Crain,  Theo.  Camp- 
bell, Walter  Rawatt,  Jasper  Reed,  Jas.  Haney,  Albert  Webber, 
Jas.  Dun,  Daniel  Cashman,  Bernard  Murphy,  Chas.  Cutler, 
G.  Reace,  John  Solomon,  Jos.  Boak,  Benj.  J.  King,  N.  E.  Mc- 
Aulty,  T.  J.  Reynolds,  J.  Schusk,  W.  D.  Ryan,  Jos.  Novak, 
Jas.  Kane,  Geo.  Craus,  A.  B.  Stormont,  Geo.  Tabellson,  John 
Davison,  Arthur  Lindwick,  H.  A.  Windsor,  D.  W.  Jones,  Chas. 
Caine,  Wm.  Adams,  E.  R.  Smith,  W.  H.  Derry,  Jas.  Ogorek, 
Frank  McKeowan,  A.  Bradley,  Sam  Johnson,  Geo.  Bagwill, 
J.  W.  Dunham,  Frank  McGurk,  F.  E.  Wiliams,  Dan  Fogarty, 
John  Collister,  Geo.  Davis,  David  M.  Mahan,  T.  E.  Williams, 
J.  C.  Mitchell,  Jacob  Hill,  Robt.  Alkire,  Dan  Mitcheson,  Jas. 
Nelson,  H.  Fawand,  Thos.  Campbell,  Peter  Owens,  S.  Steward, 
L.  R.  Collins,  Thos.  Shields,  C.  Clements,  Geo.  Harland,  John 
Kaney,  W.  G.  Shepard,  Henry  Hall,  Chas.  McGoughlin. 

When  the  committees  had  been  appointed,  the  following 


576 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


substitute  to  resolutions  offered  was  adopted : “That  the  ma- 
chine scale  as  fixed  at  Chicago  be  maintained  in  Illinois,  and 
the  grievance  in  hand  mining  be  considered  by  the  joint  con- 
ference.” 

Vice-President  John  Mitchell  addressed  the  convention, 
reviewed  the  mining  situation  at  length,  and  advised  the 
miners  to  live  up  to  their  agreement,  a necessary  essential 
for  the  future  preservation  of  the  organization. 

A motion  was  agreed  to  “That  the  differential  be  seven 
cents  between  machine  and  pick  mining.” 

At  the  joint  conference  J.  M.  Hunter  was  elected  chair- 
man, and  C.  S.  Scroggs,  secretary,  with  W.  D.  Ryan  as  assis- 
tant secretary. 

On  the  question  of  voting,  the  miners  selected:  Keenan, 

Beattie,  Pascoe,  Mitchell,  Cartwright,  Reynolds,  Morris, 
Wright  and  Green  to  act  for  them.  Mr.  Sweet,  on  the  part  of 
operators,  reported  that  the  operators’  executive  committee 
would  vote  for  the  operators  in  so  far  as  they  had  been  in- 
structed. 

Vice-President  Mitchell  then  explained  the  object  of  the 
joint  convention  to  be  the  arranging  of  the  hand  mining  scale, 
where  operators  object  against  the  paying  and  also  the  fix- 
ing of  machine  differentials.  And  moved  to  take  up  hand  min- 
ing scale  first,  in  fourth  district,  and  other  places  in  the  state. 
Carried  by  unanimous  vote. 

Moved  that  those  who  claim  they  have  been  unjustly  dealt 
with  now  present  their  claims  to  this  convention. 

Mr.  Lukens,  of  Virden,  on  behalf  of  the  operators,  asked 
if  the  operators  were  prepared  to  vote  on  the  question.  Mr. 
Moorshead  reported  that  the  operators  were  prepared  to  vote 
and  were  instructed  to  stand  by  the  Springfield  scale. 

Mr.  Lukens  then  went  into  the  condition  of  mining  affairs 
in  the  Fourth  District,  claiming  that  the  rate  of  40  cents  was 
entirely  too  high  and  prohibited  them  from  entering  the  St. 
Louis  market;  90  per  cent  of  his  coal  went  to  the  Chicago 
market  and  they  are  shut  out  of  that  market  also,  not  hav- 
ing run  since  April  1.  He  presented  a set  of  figures  showing 
the  profit  on  1,000  tons  of  coal  from  his  Virden  mine  as  com- 
pared with  1,000  tons  from  the  Danville  district. 


Disteict  12  Joint  Conference 


577 


Mr,  Moorshead  took  the  floor  and  denied  the  accuracy  of 
the  flgures  presented  by  Mr.  Lukens. 

Mr.  Ogara,  of  the  Greenridge  Co.,  presented  figures  along 
the  same  lines  as  Mr.  Lukens.  The  discussion  continued 
at  considerable  length,  by  Lukens  and  Ogara  on  one  side,  and 
Mr.  Moorshead  and  Agee  on  the  other.  ' 

Mr.  Hearst,  who  operates  a mine  at  Virden,  and  also  at 
Springfield,  stated  he  could  run  his  mine  at  Springfield,  but 
could  not  possibly  operate  his  Virden  mine  at  the  scale  price. 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  2 :30. 

The  miners  reassembled  one  hour  earlier  than  the  opera- 
tors and  had  under  discussion  the  questions  of  non-union  made 
cigars,  and  the  importation  of  seven  car  loads  of  negroes  to 
Cartersville  where  miners  were  being  ejected  from  their 
homes.  A committee  • was  chosen  to  visit  Governor  Tanner 
for  the  purpose  of  explaining  to  him  the  true  situation  at 
Cartersville,  but  on  arrival  at  his  office  found  out  that  the 
Governor  had  gone  to  the  camp  and  they  were  unable  to  see 
him. 

The  operators . having  returned  joint  business  was  again 
taken  up. 

Mr.  Lukens  made  a motion  to  hear  from  the  miners  in 
regard  to  the  price  in  the  Fourth  District. 

Secretary  Scroggs  read  a resolution  outlining  the  position 
of  the  operators  on  the  pending  questions  as  follows: 

Adopted  at  a meeting  of  Illinois  Coal  Operators’  Associa- 
tion, May  19. 

Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  is  hereby  author- 
ized to  meet  the  executive  committee  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  Illinois  and  state  that  the  operators  of  Illinois 
stand  by  the  contract  made  in  Springfield,  February  24,  1898, 
as  incorporated  in  the  state  agreement  made  in  Chicago, 
March  14,  1898 ; that  under  the  12th  clause  of  said  agreement 
the  machine  mining  rates  for  Illinois  should  be  in  accordance 
with  the  resolution  introduced  by  the  operators  at  the  joint 
meeting  held  in  Chicago,  May  10  and  11,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  the  machine  mining  rate  for  all  districts  of 
Illinois  shall  be  50  per  cent  of  the  pick  rate,  plus  3 cents  for 
shooting,  loading  and  timbering,  after  all  classes  of  machines ; 
the  tonnage  price  of  punching  machines  to  be  % of  the  pick 
rate;  chain  machine^  to.be  operated  by  the  day  at  $2,35  and 


578 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


$2.11  for  runner  and  helper,  respectively;  entry  work,  break- 
throughs and  all  narrow  work  to  be  on  the  basis  of  28  cents 
per  ton  in  the  Danville  district  throughout  the  state,  it  being 
understood  that  where  no  narrow  work  price  has  been  paid 
heretofore,  those  same  conditions  shall  continue. 

Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed  to 
demand  the  establishment  of  machine  prices  in  each  district 
of  Illinois,  which  shall  bear  the  same  relation  to  pick  mining 
prices  in  that  district  that  the  prices  of  machine  mining  in 
Danville  district  bear  to  pick  mining  in  the  Danville  district. 

This  brought  out  a warm  discussion  from  both  miners  and 
operators.  After  the  discussion,  continuing  about  one  hour, 
the  following  motion  was  made  by  Kane,  miner: 

That  this  joint  convention  now  adjourn.  Motion  with- 
drawn. 

The  operators  then  withdrew  for  the  purpose  of  consulting 
with  each  other. 

After  half  an  hour  the  operators  returned  and  reported 
that  they  had  made  no  headway  towards  agreeing  on  the 
questions  at  issue. 

It  was  then  decided  to  have  those  operators  present  their 
grievances  who  had  not  yet  done  so. 

Mr.  Wells,  the  representative  of  the  Mt.  Vernon  Coal  Co., 
stated  they  could  no  more  ship  coal  to  Chicago  than  they 
could  to  the  Philippine  Islands.  They  could  not  ship  coal  to 
St.  Louis  on  account  of  excessive  freight  rates.  Their  trade 
was  principally  with  the  railroads.  Meeting  competition  from 
Indiana  and  Kentucky. 

Jas.  Taylor,  of  the  Peoria  district,  stated  that  his  mine  was 
not  working,  but  he  was  in  favor  of  standing  by  the  Chicago 
agreement  no  matter  what  the  result  may  be,  and  when  the 
next  interstate  meeting  takes  place,  all  those  differences  may 
be  fixed  up  and  a genuine  competitive  price  be  adopted. 

Moved  that  we  adjourn  to  7 this  evening,  and  give  one  hour 
and  a half  to  hearing  grievances;  then  meet  in  separate  ses- 
sion and  instruct  executive  committees  what  action  to  take, 
whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

Springfield,  May  21,  1898. 

Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Secretary  Ryan  reported  the  result  of  the  meeting  of  the 


District  12  Joint  Conference 


579 


executive  committee  held  last  night  to  be  as  follows:  The 

miners  and  operators  voted  to  reaffirm  the  Chicago  agreement 
on  pick  mining  and  disagreed  on  the  machine  scale,  the  opera- 
tors claiming  the  Danville  price,  and  the  miners  holding  out 
for  a uniform  7-cent  differential. 

The  regular  order  of  business  was  then  laid  on  the  table. 

Moved  to  allow  Belleville  operators  the  privilege  of  laying 
a grievance  before  this  convention  and  give  them  fifteen  min- 
utes to  present  their  case. 

Mr.  Crabb,  operating  a hand  mine  at  Staunton,  said  he 
desired  the  convention  to  remove  the  restriction  from  his  mine 
placed  there  by  the  sub-district. 

Mr.  Moorshead  presented  his‘  grievance  in  regard  to  the 
division  of  money  earned  by  “groups”  who  follow  machines 
at  his  Glen  Carbon  mine,  and  other  petty  matters  which  cause 
considerable  trouble  of  a local  nature  which  could  easily  be 
settled  by  referring  to  his  office. 

The  report  of  grievance  committee  was  then  read  and  dis- 
posed of  as  follows : 

The  committee  who  waited  on  the  Governor  made  their 
report,  and  a vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  to  Governor  Tanner 
for  his  action. 

Convention  ad j ourned. 

Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Resolution  thanking  General  Bradley  for  his  valuable 
services  in  behalf  of  his  miners.  Carried. 

The  grievances  presented  by  Operator  Moorshead  were 
brought  up  and  Vice-President  Mitchell  took  the  floor  and 
drew  the  attention  of  the  miners  to  the  great  danger  of  creat- 
ing trouble  and  closing  down  the  mines  for  trivial  causes. 
He  called  attention  to  the  condition  of  the  coal  trade  and  the 
effect  of  West  Virginia  coal  being  mined  so  cheap,  that  it  is 
driving  Illinois  and  other  coal  out  of  the  Chicago  market.  He 
also  urged  in  ringing  terms  the  great  necessity  of  using  caution 
and  conservatism  in  conducting  the  business  of  the  organ- 
ization, that  the  disruption  of  the  union  meant  less  for  them 
than  they  ever  had  and  the  maintenance  of  the  union  means 
in  the  near  future  better  wages  and  better  conditions. 

Motion  that  the  Glen  Carbon  delegates  with  President 


580 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Green  and  Vice-President  Hefti,  with  National  Vice-President 
Mitchell  withdraw  to  the  ante-room  and  draw  up  some  plan  to 
cover  the  division  of  earnings  after  machines.  Carried. 

The  system  in  vogue  at  the  Crab  mine  at  Belleville,  in  re- 
gard to  yardage,  was  taken  up.  In  order  to  settle  the  matter 
the  delegates  from  Crab  mine  were  added  to  the  committee 
appointed  to  act  on  the  Moorshead  matter. 

Motion,  that  we  connect  ourselves  with  the  State  Federa- 
tion of  Labor.  Carried. 

Motion  to  elect  five  delegates  to  Federation  of  Labor  con- 
vention in  Decatur  next  September.  Carried.  Boston,  Craw'- 
ford,  Ryan,  Hefti  and  Cartwright  duly  elected  delegates  to 
labor  convention. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed  to  take  up  and 
settle  the  shearing  machine  and  air  drill  question;  Pascoe, 
Manuel,  and  Green. 

The  following  reports  were  adopted  as  read: 

The  following  shall  apply  to  Madison  mines  at  Glen  Car- 
bon : All  miners  shall  shoot  and  load  their  own  coal,  provided 
they  are  competent  to  do  so. 

All  men  not  competent  to  do  such  work  shall  be  furnished 
a shooter  and  timberman.  The  company  to  be  the  judge 
as  to  who  shall  do  the  shooting  and  timbering  for  such  men 
who  are  not  competent. 

The  price  for  such  work  shall  be:  Shooting,  5^2  cents 

per  ton;  timbering,  41/2  cents  per  ton;  loading,  14  cents  per 
ton ; machine  run,  5 cents  per  ton ; machine  help,  4 cents  per 
ton.  Total,  33  cents  per  ton. 

We,  your  committee,  beg  leave  to  submit  to  you  the  fol- 
lowing : That  the  restriction  now  in  vogue  at  Crab  mine  No. 
1,  Staunton,  111.,  be  lifted  on  entry  work,  provided  said  com- 
pany will  narrow  down  its  entries  and  pay  district  yardage 
and  that  said  work  be  divided  between  the  miners  at  said 
mine  in  case  of  slack  work.  Lifting  of  restriction  shall  not 
apply  to  room  work. 

Committee — 

John  Green,  President. 

Wm.  Hefti,  Vice-President. 

Al.  Neutzling, 

John  Mitchell,  National  Vice-President. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  sine  die. 


Indiana  Block  Coal  Proceedings 


581 


INDIANA  BLOCK  COAL  PROCEEDINGS. 

Brazil,  Indiana,  June  7,  1898. 

The  miners  of  the  Eighth  district.  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America,  met  in  Roberts  Hall  in  this  city,  yesterday,  the 
7th,  and  were  called  to  order  by  President  Sam  Anderson. 

The  first  business  in  order  was  the  appointment  of  a com- 
mittee on  credentials,  the  followjng  being  selected:  Peter 

Flemming,  James  Alsap,  and  John  Davis. 

The  credentials  committee  reported  25  delegates  present, 
representing  19  locals  with  a total  membership  of  2,437. 

The  call  for  the  convention  was  read,  after  which  G.  H. 
Dodge,  who  was  appointed  by  the  district  board  to  audit  the 
district  books  from  January  1st,  1898,  to  May  1st,  1898,  made 
an  itemized  statement  to  the  convention  of  the  receipts  for 
the  five  months  to  be  $817.44;  expenditures  for  the  same 
period,  $768.52;  leaving  a balance  in  the  treasury  of  $48.92. 

The  president  read  his  annual  report  for  the  year  ending 
May  31,  1898,  making  many  good  recommendations  and 
changes  in  our  by-laws. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed : 

On  Constitution — James  Cantwell,  Andrew  Spears,  Albert 
Keller. 

On  Resolutions — George  George,  James  Feathers,  Mungo 
Penman. 

On  Grievances — Jerre  Coakley,  John  Evans,  Elmer  Brown. 

On  Rules — Wm.  Treager,  Ed.  Tolson. 

The  meeting  adjourned.  Afternoon  session  called  to  order 
by  the  president. 

On  motion  the  following  Committee  on  By-Laws  was  ap- 
pointed: Harry  Wright,  E.  Strain,  Wm.  Wilson. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Rules  was  then  adopted. 

Officers  elected:  For  President,  Roberts;  Vice-President, 

S.  Boskill ; Secretary,  Barney  Navin ; Treasurer,  Wm.  Thomp- 
son ; Members  of  Board,  Ferguson  and  Feathers. 

The  motion  that  each  checkweighman  take  the  length  and 
width  of  screens,  distance  between  bars,  pitch  of  screen  and 
also  state  whether  there  are  any  obstructions,  and  if  they 
have  any  support,  carried. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 


582 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


That  we  abolish  all  contract  work  in  and  about  the  mines. 

That  when  opening  a new  mine  where  the  main  entries 
are  far  enough  we  turn  cross  entries.  That  company,  if  de- 
sirous of  putting  their  entries  ahead,  put  three  shifts  on,  and 
that  room  men  get  equal  work  with  entries. 

That  when  rooms  are  started  in  a mine  they  shall  work 
when  the  entries  work,  and  the  entries  shall  be  idle  when  the 
rooms  are  idle. 

That  no  member  of  our  organization  working  in  a machine 
mine  shall  load  coal  out  oi  rooms  or  entries  below  thirteen 
feet  wide,  unless  he  is  paid  extra  for  the  same.  Amended  that 
coal  loaded  out  of  narrow  work  shall  be  44%  cents  per  ton. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Constitution  agreed  to  as  follows : 

Article  2,  Section  1,  amended  to  include  Vice-President, 
and  increase  the  board  to  six  members. 

Article  3,  Section  1,  be  amended  to  read  after  the  word 
“cause”  in  line  eight,  “with  consent  of  the  board.” 

Section  7,  The  Executive  Board  shall  appoint  one  of  their 
members  to  represent  them  in  convention  with  a vote  and  a 
voice. 

Article  5,  Section  1,  be  amended  to  read  the  first  Tuesday 
in  March  instead  of  June.  The  word  fractional  major  to  be 
inserted. 

That  delegates  to  the  convention  use  their  infiuence  to  get 
the  miners  to  stop  purchasing  their  supplies  at  the  company 
stores,  and  by  filling  that  part  of  their  agreement  it  will  in- 
crease the  circulation  of  lawful  money  in  the  country,  and  do 
away  with  what  is  called  the  credit  system. 

That  we  favor  the  check-off  system  for  checkweighmen’s 
wages  and  dues  for  organizations. 

Article  5,  Section  2,  be  amended  to  read  “the  President  and 
Secretary  shall  have  the  power  to  call  all  meetings  of  the 
board  or  a delegate  meeting  whenever  they  deem  it  neces- 
sary. All  members  of  the  board  shall  attend  all  conventions.” 

Article  2 — Removal  of  Officers — Any  officer  suspended  by 
the  Executive  Board  may  be  expelled  by  a two-thirds  vote 
of  the  locals  of  the  association.  The  Executive  Board  and 
suspended  officer  or  officers  shall  each  present  a statement  of 
the  case  to  each  local,  upon  receipt  of  which  the  locals  sliall, 
at  their  first  regular  meeting,  vote  by  ballot,  upon  expulsion 
or  reinstatement,  if  not  suspended.  The  Vice-President  or 
Secretary,  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  immediately  declare  the 
result  to  the  locals  and  Executive  Board. 

This  constitution  shall  not  be  altered  or  amended  except 
at  an  annual  convention. 

Article  6,  Sections  1,  2,  3 and  4,  be  amended  to  read  “S2 
and  expenses.” 


Indiana  Block  Coal  Proceedings 


583 


Part  of  report  of  Committee  on  Rules : 

Section  4 be  stricken  out ; insprt  that  the  working  hours  of 
this  district  be  from  7 a.  m.  to  12  m.  and  12 :30  p.  m.  to  3 :30 
p.  m.  Time  to  go  down  the  mine,  6 :30. 

Motion,  that  dues  checked  off  at  the  mines  be  turned  over 
to  the  local  that  person  belongs  to.  Carried. 

Adjourned. 

NIGHT  SESSION. 

Moved  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive  Board  to 
demand  the  resignation  of  any  officer  who  is  proved  to  the 
satisfaction  of  a majority  of  the  board  to  be  guilty  of  in- 
ability, neglect  of  duty  or  malfeasance  while  in  office,  or  who 
is  incapable  through  the  use  of  intoxicants  to  perform  his 
duty  to  the  association,  and  if  he  should  refuse  to  resign,  he 
shall  be  suspended  until  the  case  be  submitted  to  the  locals 
and  acted  upon  by  them. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Rules  continued  and  adopted : 

Rule  1 — Any  member  of  any  lodge  residing  within  a mile 
of  his  local  shall  attend  at  least  two  meetings  per  month,  and 
failure  to  do  the  same  without  a favorable  excuse  shall  be 
fined  for  the  first  offense  5 cents,  second  10  cents. 

Rule  2 — That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  mine  boss  to  do 
all  measuring  on  the  15th,  or  the  first  working  day  after  the 
15th,  and  the  last  day  of  each  month,  or  the  first  day  after 
the  last  of  each  month. 

Rule  3 — We  recommend  that  in  pick  mines  the  bottom 
shall  not  be  farther  away  from  the  face  than  six  feet. 

Rule  4 — That  in  case  the  company  fails  to  keep  the  bot- 
tom within  six  feet  of  the  face,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
bank  committee  to  see  that  it  is  properly  attended  to. 

Rule  5 — That  these  rules  are  subject  to  amendment  at  any 
regular  or  special  convention. 

Rule  6 — That  the  bottom  in  the  machine  mines  shall  not 
be  kept  more  than  three  feet  from  the  face. 

That  all  resolutions  offered  to  and  passed  by  the  conven- 
tion become  a part  of  the  rules  and  by-laws  of  this  district. 

That  the  companies  take  all  tops  and  bottoms  in  room. 

That  the  above  resolutions  shall  go  into  effect  on  the  first 
day  of  July. 

That  the  date  for  taking  up  working  cards  shall  be  the 
first  working  day  of  each  month,  or  the  first  day  the  mine 
works  after  the  first. 


584 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  following  resolution  was  offered  from  Clay  City; 

The  Briar  Hill  Coal  Company,  of  Clay  City,  has  established 
the  system  of  paying  their  miners  in  checks,  which  put  the 
miners  to  a great  deal  of  inconvenience.  They  never  receive 
any  statement  of  their  accounts.  We,  your  committee  on 
grievances  recommend  that  the  district  secretary  write  the 
company  that  they  must  pay  their  employes  in  lawful  money. 

Resolution  adopted. 

On  motion  the  retiring  officers  were  given  a vote  of  thanks 
for  their  services  to  the  organization. 

The  newly  elected  officers  were  installed  in  their  offices. 

After  a few  remarks  from  the  newly  elected  board  and  the 
retiring  board  the  meeting  adjourned. 

Attest:  Barney  Navin,  Secretary. 

DENNIS  H.  SULLIVAN’S  TROUBLES. 

Coshocton,  Ohio,  June  11,  1898. 

After  relating  his  troubles  over  the  strike  at  the  Nicholson 
mine,  Dennis  consoles  himself  with  a poetic  effusion.  He  says, 
“I  was  called  to  Conesville  on  June  3 to  settle  a misunder- 
standing on  the  turning  of  wing  rooms.  While  there  I was 
well  treated  by  the  mine  committee  and  others,  to  which  I 
return  my  sincere  thanks. 

“The  strike  at  the  Nicholson  coal  mine  south  of  Cambridge, 
on  the  C.  and  M.  R.  R.,  is  still  on.  I am  told  that  they  have 
15  or  20  men  at  work.  They,  I am  informed,  claim  to  be 
union  men.  Still  they  are  working  without  an  organization, 
or  even  a checkweighman  on  the  tipple. 

“Myself  and  the  rest  of  the  sub-district  officers  have 
labored  hard  to  make  a settlement  and,  finding  it  impossible, 
we  concluded  to  place  it  in  the  hands  of  our  state  officers. 
This  mine  is  owned  and  operated  by  that  fearless  advocate 
of  free  silver,  Gen.  Warner,  a man  who  told  the  workingmen 
of  Coshocton  long  ago  in  my  hearing  how  sorry  he  was  for 
them  and  how  much  he  loved  them.  If  the  working  people 
of  this  country  were  compelled  to  accept  Gen.  Warner  for 
their  master  they  would  often  repeat  the  following  lines : 


Ohio  Sub-District  2 Convention 


585 


“ ‘There  is  a world  where  souls  are  free, 

Where  tyrants  taint  not  nature’s  bliss; 

If  death  that  world’s  bright  opening  be 
0,  who  wotdd  live  a slave  like  this  V ” 

D.  H.  Sullivan,  Sub-district  President. 

PROCEEDINGS— SUB-DISTRICT  2 OF  DISTRICT  6. 

Wellston,  Ohio,  June  14,  1898. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  9 :30  a.  m.,  with  President 
McCullough  in  the  chair. 

Appointment  of  committees  follow : On  credentials, 

E.  Thompson,  John  Farley,  John  Lanthorn;  on  auditing, 
Lewis  Harmon,  Jacob  Extine,  Isaac  Shotts ; on  rules  and  order 
of  business,  Adam  McLean,  E.  Luster,  B.  Smith;  on  griev- 
ances, E.  Thompson,  John  Farley,  John  Lanthorn;  and  on 
resolutions,  Adam  McLean,  E.  Luster,  B.  Smith. 

Report  of  committee  on  credentials : 

We,  your  committee  on  credentials,  find  the  following  dele-  ■ 
gates  entitled  to  a seat  in  this  convention : E.  Luster,  Lewis 
Harmon,  Jacob  Extine,  Adam  McLean,  Thos.  McCray,  B. 
Smith,  Isaac  Shotts,  E.  Thompson,  Samuel  Sumate,  S.  Chris- 
tian, John  Lanthorn,  John  Farley,  Thos.  Cole.  Report  of  com- 
mittee accepted  and  delegates  seated. 

President  McCullough,  Vice-President  Robinson  and  Board 
Members  McLean  and  Collard  then  made  a brief  statement 
of  their  work  during  the  quarter. 

The  following  resolutions  were  reported  and  adopted ; 

Resolved,  That  local  officers  use  their  best  judgment  in 
collecting  initiation  fee,  but  under  no  consideration  shall  a 
man  become  a full  member  or  receive  a transfer  card  until  he 
pays  the  full  amount  of  the  initiation  fee  and  all  dues  and 
assessments.  Be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  where  any  man  refuses  to  pay  his  initia- 
tion fee  the  men  of  the  local  refuse  to  work  with  him. 

Resolved,  That  whereas  it  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
this  convention  that  some  operators  are  not  living  up  to 
the  Chicago  agreement  in  regard  to  the  eight-hour  workday 
and  the  screen  law,  we  therefore'  insist  that  local  committees 
and  officers  see  that  the  operators  provide  screens  as  provided 
for  in  the  Chicago  agreement,  and  the  eight-hour  day  be  en- 
forced at  each  local. 


586 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  hour  of  noon  having  arrived,  the  convention  ad- 
journed. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  reconvened  at  1 p.  m.,  with  President  Mc- 
Cullough in  the  chair. 

Report  of  auditing  committee : 

Receipts  for  quarter,  $66.56 ; indebtedness  March  15,  1898, 
$45.98;  expense  for  quarter,  $104.00;  total,  $149.98. 

Money  paid  out  during  quarter,  $36.38 ; money  in  treasuiy 
June  14,  1898,  $30.18;  indebtedness  unprovided  for  of  $83.42. 

Received  from  the  Central  Relief  Committee,  $47.01 ; re- 
ceived from  District  6,  $75.00.  Total  disbursements,  $122,01; 
leaving  on  hand  $2.00. 

Report  of  committee  accepted. 

Moved  and  adopted  that  the  next  convention  be  held  in 
Wellston. 

Moved  and  adopted  that  the  convention  tender  Mr.  Pirring 
a vote  of  thanks  for  the  use  of  this  hall. 

There  being  no  further  business  the  convention  adjourned 
to  meet  in  Wellston  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  September. 

E.  S.  McCullough,  President. 

Wm.  Fennell,  Jr.,  Secretary. 


ALABAMA  MINERS’  CONVENTION. 

Birmingham,  Alabama,  June  20,  1898. 

Pursuant  to  call,  the  miners’  state  convention  was  called  to 
order  Monday  morning  at  9 o’clock  at  Clerk’s  Hall  by  Presi- 
dent Wm.  R.  Fairley. 

The  call  for  the  meeting  was  read  by  Secretary  John  Kelly, 
of  Blocton. 

The  first  order  of  business  was  to  select  state  convention 
officers,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  W.  R.  Fairley,  chair- 
man, James  Haywood,  secretary,  S.  L.  Brooks,  assistant  secre- 
tary. 

Following  committee  on  credentials  was  then  elected : 
Messrs.  Frank  Fournier,  Fleck  Brewis,  A.  H.  Gentry,  R. 
Walker  and  Ranee  Smith. 


Alabama  Miners  in  Convention 


587 


Motion  that  Brother  Latimer,  of  Belle  Ellen,  be  allowed  a 
seat  in  the  convention,  carried. 

Adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  promptly  at  1 o’clock. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  dele- 
gates present:  Helena — J.  S.  Thompson;  Blue  Creek — C.  M. 
Coker,  Geo.  McDaniels,  P.  R.  Murray,  T.  H.  Housed,  Ranee 
Smith,  Cap  Clemo,  Pink  White,  G.  N.  Mosely,  J.  L.  Cord,  W. 
S.  Swiney ; Sloss  Mines — Eleck  Brewis,  L.  C.  McKinzie ; Card- 
iff— Dan  Webster,  Geo.  Washington,  Geo.  Hinnihil,  Primus 
Hutcheson;  West  Pratt — John  Lamont,  J.  J.  Ray,  Archie 
Woods,  Jerry  Gorth,  A.  Wilson;  Pratts— Tom  Tinney,  Frank 
Fournier,  Geo.  Barbour,  A.  J.  Evans,  Will  Kilpatrick,  James 
Holmes,  C.  W.  Cain,  H.  Haywood,  S.  L.  Brooks ; Belle  Ellen— 
J.  Heywood,  A.  J.  Frostenburg,  Ed  Wood,  Geo.  Barker,  Geo. 
Leayer,  Chas.  Slatton;  Mabel  Mines — T.  J.  McKenzie;  Har- 
grove— I.  S.  Owens,  Jake  Phillips,  E.  Kolan,  Wess  Blakely; 
Blossburg  Slope — James  Johnson,  W.  J.  McMurran,  H. 
Crumps;  Blocton — Will  Hann,  Wm.  McGinnis,  A.  H.  Watson, 
Jno.  Kelly,  A.  H.  Gentry,  David  Johnson,  Fred  Francher, 
Pampie  Zanetti,  Ive  Holder,  Wash  Penned,  West  Clendon, 
S.  P.  Cheatham,  D.  H.  Wilson,  R.  L.  Walker,  Watt  Griffin,  W. 
S.  Mathews,  S.  E.  Banks. 

Report  of  committee  on  credentials  was  accepted. 

Motion  that  a committee  be  elected  to  draft  a scale  of  prices 
to  be  submitted  to  the  convention  was  carried. 

The  following  committee  on  scale  and  prices  was  elected : 
Eleck  Brewis,  J.  M.  Gorth,  Geo.  Barbour,  J.  L.  Clemo,  John 
Kelly,  J.  S.  Thompson,  I.  S.  Owen,  M.  J.  McMurran,  Geo. 
Leayer,  T.  J.  McKenzie. 

Motion  to  adjourn  until  Tuesday  morning  was  carried. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  9 o’clock  by  President  Fair- 
ley. 

Report  of  committee  on  resolutions : 

Motion  that  speakers  be  allowed  ten  minutes  and  that  they 
be  not  allowed  to  speak  but  once  on  any  question,  was  carried. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  as  follows : 


588 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


I. 

That  all  business  transacted  in  this  convention  shall  be 
binding  on  all  parties  taking  action  therein ; 

That  we  demand  42i^  cents  per  ton  at  Pratt,  Blocton,  West 
Pratt  and  at  Blue  Creek  37i/^  cents ; at  Sloss  Mines,  421/2  cents ; 
at  Belle  Ellen,  42%  cents ; at  Hargrove,  42%  cents,  at  Helena, 
45  cents,  retaining  the  present  sliding  scale  with  the  change 
that  basis  be  on  market  price  of  all  grades  of  iron. 

Room  turning  at  Pratts,  $3  for  double  rooms,  $1.50  single 
rooms;  Blocton,  $3;  West  Pratt,  double,  $3,  single,  $1.50;  Blue 
Creek,  Belle  Ellen,  $3 ; Hargrove,  $3 ; Sloss,  double  rooms,  $3, 
single  $1.50;  Helena,  $3.  Crosscuts  or  break-throughs  shall 
be  air  course  prices. 

That  scales  be  placed  on  tipples  and  coal  be  weighed  be- 
fore being  dumped. 

All  docking  for  dirt  shall  be  left  as  a local  matter. 

That  we  have  an  idle  day  each  month  to  do  business  that 
is  of  interest  to  ourselves,  each  camp  selecting  the  day  to  suit 
itself. 

II. 

That  we  shall  have  a regular  pay  day  not  later  than  the 
20th  of  each  month. 

That  all  day  labor  shall  be  advanced  in  proportion  to  the 
price  of  mining,  with  the  exception  of  car  repairer  and  black- 
smith, and  they  are  to  be  governed  by  Pratt  mines  prices. 

That  all  narrow  and  dead  work  be  advanced  proportion- 
ately to  the  advance  in  prices. 

That  the  company  retain  25  cents  per  month  from  all  who 
come  under  the  scale  of  prices  as  committee  expenses  and  turn 
the  same  over  to  properly  authorized  parties,  who  shall  re- 
ceive it. 

That  specifications  not  mentioned  in  this  contract  be  gov- 
erned as  in  the  past. 

III. 

Be  it  resolved,  that  we  recommend  that  agents  of  the 
Labor  Advocate  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal  be 
allowed  to  canvass  the  mine  and  that  the  company  allow  them 
to  collect  through  the  office. 

That  there  be  no  discrimination  between  white  and 
colored. 

Where  coal  is  not  of  sufficient  height  in  rooms  that  the 
company  pay  for  same  as  case  may  be  where  car  or  mule  has 
to  travel. 

That  all  material  for  track,  props  and  lumber  be  placed 
where  they  ought  to  be  used. 


Alabama  Miners  in  Convention 


589 


That  ail  rocks  or  slate  that  is  loaded  or  unloaded  in  th6 
mines  or  removed  by  miners,  should  be  paid  for  at  Blue  Creek. 

IV. 

Be  it  resolved,  That  we  do  recommend  to  this  convention 
that  each  mining  camp  have  the  authority  to  select  its  own 
doctor,  and  that  the  miners  have  the  privilege  of  voluntarily 
signing  doctor’s  list. 

That  this  convention  use  its  utmost  endeavor  to  secure 
any  man  his  work  that  may  be  victimized  by  serving  on  com- 
mittee. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Eleck  Brevvis, 

• Geo.  Barbour, 

W.  J.  McMurran, 

J.  L.  Clemo, 

John  Kelly, 

J.  S.  Owens, 

J.  M.  Gorth, 

J.  Thompson, 

Geo.  Leayer. 

On  motion,  report  of  committee  was  received  and  commit- 
tee discharged. 

Motion  that  no  delegate  be  allowed  to  speak  but  once  on 
any  subject,  and  that  ten  minutes  be  allowed  each  speaker. 
Carried. 

The  resolutions  were  adopted  as  read. 

Motion  that  the  chairman  of  each  delegation  wait  on  the 
officials  of  the  company  and  request  them  to  meet  the  delegates 
in  convention  at  10  o’clock,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Fairley 
at  9 o’clock. 

The  report  of  the  special  committee  to  wait  on  the  com- 
panies was  received  conveying  the  fact  that  the  officials  of  said 
companies  would  visit  the  convention  at  10  o’clock. 

Motions  prevailed,  that  a committee  be  appointed  to  find 
out  prices  of  iron,  and  Messrs.  Frank  Fournier,  Eleck  Brewis, 
I.  S.  Owens,  J.  L.  Clemo,  S.  L.  Brooks,  Ranee  Smith  and  John 
Kelly  were  selected ; 


590 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


That  scale  committee,  with  a delegate  from  each  place  and 
the  chairman  added,  carry  on  the  discusison  with  the  company 
representatives  as  to  scale; 

And  that  each  delegation  be  allowed  to  select  its  own  man 
for  that  purpose. 

The  following  officials  of  the  companies  arrived  at  the  con- 
vention hall  at  10  o’clock;  General  Manager  McCormack  and 
Chief  Engineer  Ramsay  representing  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron 
and  Railroad  Company,  and  Messrs.  Sol  Haas  and  Priestly 
Toulman  of  the  Sloss  Iron  and  Steel  Company. 

No  agreement  being  reached  in  the  convention,  the  scale 
committee  was  empowered  to  confer  with  the  company  offi- 
cials and  report  back  to  the  convention. 

Committee  retired  and  on  returning  at  the  hour  specified 
reported  that  President  Haas  had  refused  the  convention  an 
audience,  but  would  receive  a committee  from  his  own  em- 
ployes, with  the  request  that  the  committee  that  signed  the 
contract  with  him  a year  ago  be  present. 

Committee  that  waited  on  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and  Rail- 
road Company  reported  that  Mr.  McCormack  would  not  enter- 
tain proposition  of  5 cents  advance  in  scale. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  President  Fairley  at 
8 o’clock. 

The  committee’s  report  of  yesterday  was  received  and  same 
committee  ordered  to  wait  on  the  companies  at  10  o’clock. 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  12  o’clock  noon,  to  await  the 
report  of  the  committee. 

The  convention  reassembled  and  received  the  report,  which 
was  in  substance  as  follows : 

G.  B.  McCormack,  general  manager  of  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron 
and  Railroad  Company,  made  a proposition  to  give  2i/2  cents 
per  ton  advance  on  present  prices,  making  the  minimum  basis 
40  cents  per  ton  and  all  dead  work  affected  by.  the  scale  be 
advanced  61/4  cents,  based  on  the  entire  sales  of  pig  iron  in 
the  Alabama  division  of  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and  Rail- 
road Company. 


Alabama  Joint  Agreement 


591 


A motion  then  prevailed  that  delegates  return  to  their 
homes,  report  to  their  constituents  and  reassemble  Monday 
morning  at  9 o’clock,  at  Clerk’s  Hall,  Birmingham,  Ala. 

W.  R.  Fairley,  President. 

J.  Heywood,  Secretary. 


LOCAL  CONTRACT  DISTRICT  20. 

BETWEEN  THE  TENNESSEE  COAL,  IRON  AND  RAILROAD  COMPANY 
AND  ITS  BLOCTON  MINERS. 

Birmingham,  Ala.,  June  30,  1898. 

The  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and  Railroad  Company  and  the 
duly  authorized  representatives  of  the  miners  from  Blocton 
have  this  day  agreed  upon  the  following  contract  from  July  1, 
1898,  until  June  30,  1899: 

The  price  of  mining  to  be  a minimum  of  40  cents  per  ton 
when  all  grades  of  pig  iron  net  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and 
Railroad  Company  $7.10  or  less  f.  o.  b.  cars  at  the  furnaces  in 
Alabama,  and  for  every  advance  of  50  cents  per  ton  in  the 
net  price  received  for  all  grades  of  iron  there  shall  be  an  ad- 
vance of  21/^  cents  per  ton  in  the  price. of  mining,  until  the 
net  price  received  for  all  grades  of  iron  reaches  $9.10  per 
ton,  when  the  price  of  mining  would  be  50  cents  per  ton. 
Thereafter  the  price  of  mining  shall  advance  21/2  cents  for 
each  dollar  advance  in  the  net  price  received  for  all  grades 
of  iron.  In  the'  big  seam  at  Blocton,  when  the  size  of  the 
coal  is  reduced  to  below  four  feet,  there  shall  be  an  advance 
of  21/2  cents  in  the  price  of  mining,  and  if  the  coal  is  reduced 
below  three  feet  the  price  of  mining  shall  advance  5 cents 
above  the  scale  in  that  seam. 

The  coal  is  to  be  weighed  during  the  continuance  of  this 
contract  at  all  mines  where  it  is  now  being  weighed  and  chec- 
weighmen  are  to  be  allowed  as  in  the  past. 

The  price  of  iron  to  be  determined  as  follows : The  miners 
to  appoint  one  or  more  duly  authorized  representatives  to 
act  for  them,  and  such  representative  or  representatives  to 
meet  with  the  representative  or  representatives  of  the  com- 
pany not  later  than  the  5th  day  of  each  month,  and  at  such 
meeting  to  examine  all  books,  sale  memoranda  or  other  evi- 
dence in  the  possession  of  the  company  as  might  show  the 
actual  average  price  at  which  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and 
Railroad  Company  sold  all  grades  of  iron  in  the  previous 
month,  and  such  pric§  when  determined,  to  be  announced  by 


592 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  representatives  to  both  the  miners  and  the  company,  and 
to  be  binding  upon  both. 

If  the  representatives  of  the  miners  and  the  company  fail 
to  agree  as  to  what  was  the  selling  price  of  all  grades  of  iron 
for  any  month,  then  they  are  to  agree  upon  and  call  in  an- 
other person,  who  is  not  a miner  or  an  employe  of  the  com- 
pany, who  shall,  upon  investigation  of  the  actual  sales  made, 
determine  the  price,  and  such  determination  shall  be  bind- 
ing upon  both  parties  to  this  contract. 

The  expenses  of  the  representative  or  representatives  of 
the  miners  and  others  governed  by  the  scale  to  be  regulated 
and  paid  by  them.  Such  expense  to  be  prorated  by  the  com- 
mittee at  so  much  per  miner,  and  others  governed  by  the 
scale,  whose  name  appears  on  the  roll,  and  to  be  collected  by 
the  company  and  turned  over  to  the  committee. 

Dead  work  and  day  labor  in  mines  and  house  rent  of 
miners  and  mine  laborers  and  powder  to  be  governed  by  the 
scale  as  furnished  each  party.  Mining  rules  to  be  the  same 
as  at  present. 

No  discrimination  is  to  be  made  in  the  distribution  of  work 
against  the  colored  miners,  but  all  competent  colored  men  are 
to  have  an  equal  chance  at  work. 

The  term  “all  grades  of  pig  iron”  means  all  grades  except 
silver  gray  and  white. 

TENNESSEE  COAL,  IRON  AND  RAILROAD  CO., 

By  G.  B.  McCormack  General  Manager. 

John  Kelley. 

A.  H.  Gentry. 

Veto  Waney. 

D.  H.  Wilson. 

D.  A.  Johnston. 

W.  D.  McGinnis. 

Geo.  Young. 

W.  J.  Hand. 

H.  Scott. 

Approved:  W.  R.  Fairley,  President  District  20,  United 

Mine  Workers  of  America. 

NATIONAL  ORGANIZER  W.  C.  SCOTT. 

In  June,  1898,  National  Organizer  W.  C.  Scott  being  on 
duty  for  the  United  Mine  Workers  in  the  West  Virginia  coal 
field,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  try  and  check  the  sale  of 
coal  that  was  being  mined  in  West  Virginia  and  sold  in  the 


West  Virginia  Coal  a Disturbing  Factor 


593 


Toledo  and  Detroit  markets,  because  of  the  low  rates  paid  to 
the  miners  there  and  the  inability  to  organize  them  into  local 
unions. 

In  speaking  of  Mr.  Scott’s  work  as  a commissioner  sent 
there  for  the  purpose  named,  the  “Toledo  Blade”  furnished 
the  following:  (Anent  the  reception  tendered  Mr.  Scott  by 

the  Wholesale  and  Retail  Dealers’  convention  on  board  of  the 
steamer  City  of  Toledo,  the  Toledo  Daily  Blade  of  Wednesday, 
June  15,  published  the  following:) 

It  would  be  a difficult  matter  to  convince  those  who  at- 
tended the  Wholesale  and  Retail  Coal  Dealers’  convention  on 
board  the  City  of  Toledo  yesterday  that  the  country  is  going 
to  the  eternal  bowwow  just  at  present.  Never  in  the  history 
of  the  trade  was  there  such  cordial  feeling  displayed  between 
competitive  coal  dealers  and  operators,  and  the  reception  that 
W.  C.  Scott,  general  organizer  of  the  United  Mine  Workers, 
received  was  like  a Utopian  dream.  Just  think  of  an  ac- 
credited representative  of  the  miners’  union  as  an  invited 
guest  of  their  operators,  and  sitting  in  executive  session  with 
the  coal  dealers!  But  this  was  not  the  only  honor  that  was 
showered  upon  Mr.  Scott.  He  was  one  of  the  speakers  of  the 
occasion,  and  his  speech  was  applauded  as  loudly  as  any  of 
the  operators  or  dealers.  Mr.  Scott  made  an  eloquent  and 
thoughtful  appeal  to  the  operators  and  dealers  in  behalf  of 
the  miners.  He  said  in  substance:  ‘This  is  the  first  time  in 

my  life  that  I have  had  the  honor  of  being  a guest  on  such  an 
occasion,  and  I want  to  assure  you  that  I esteem  it  no  mean 
honor  to  address  this  representative  body  of  coal  dealers  and 
operators  of  Ohio.  As  an  exponent  of  organization  I would 
not  be  true  to  the  principles  which  I am  advocating  if  I we?  e 
not  in  sympathy  with  your  association.  We  have  no  love  for 
rate  cutters  or  trade  demolishers.  We  recognize  that  this 
association  has  already  done  much  to  better  the  condition  of 
the  miners,  not  only  in  Ohio,  but  in  other  states.  I believe 
that  as  I stand  here  today  I stand  among  my  friends,  and  say 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  God  speed  you  in  your  effort  to 
strengthen  your  organization.  We  are  fully  aware  that  if 
you  do  not  make  money  we  can  not,  and  that  capital  has  rights 
as  well  as  labor. 

‘I  want  to  call  your  attention  to  one  thing  today.  You  are 
acquainted  with  all  the  details  of  how  the  uniform  scale  was 
agreed  to  in  Chicago.  Now,  all  of  the  operators,  except  those 
in  West  Virginia  are  paying  the  agreed  scale.  The  West  Vir- 
ginia operators  not  only  refused  to  pay  this  scale  but  are 
compelling  the  miners  to  mine  coal  at  lower  rates  than  I be- 


594 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


lieve  the  Ohio  operators,  if  they  had  the  power,  would  ask  the 
miners  in  your  fields  to  work.  This  is  not  only  an  injury  to 
the  miners,  but  if  allowed  to  continue  will  demoralize  this 
market.  This  is  not  the  natural  market  for  West  Virginia 
coal.  It  only  gains  an  entrance  to  this  market  by  the  starva- 
tion wages  that  the  operators  pay  in  the  West  Virginia 
district.  It  seems  to  me  that  we  all  have  a common  cause 
against  West  Virginia  coal.  The  miner  believes  that  he  has, 
and  I am  sent  to  you  and  the  consumer  to  plead  for  him.  I 
ask  your  careful  consideration  of  these  things.’ 

NATIONAL  AUDITOR’S  REPORT. 

July  9,  1898. 

Report  of  auditing  committee  for  six  months  ending  June 
30,  1898 : 

We,  your  auditors,  have  carefully  examined  the  books  of 
Secretary-Treasurer  Pearce  and  find  them  correct,  as  follows : 

Receipts. 


Balance  in  treasury  January  1,  1898 $10,812.18 

Receipts  taxes  since  January  1,  1898 18,788.16 

Receipts  for  supplies  since  January  1,  1898 2,376.81 

Receipts  U.  M.  W.  Journal  since  January  1,  1898 1,770.41 

Receipts,  miscellaneous,  since  January  1,  1898 802.30 


Total  .$34,549.86 

Expenditures. 

Officers’  salaries  and  expenses $9,694.44 

Supplies  3.467.25 

Office  expenses  834.16 

Telegraph,  post  and  express 851.23 

Miscellaneous 1,061.95 


Total  $15,909.03 

Balance  in  treasury  June  30,  1898 $18,640.83 


We  also  desire  to  say  to  our  constituents  we  are  highly 
pleased  with  the  systematic  method  by  which  Brother  Pearce 
has  kept  his  accounts,  and  that  our  work  has  been  greatly 
facilitated  thereby. 

The  members  of  the  craft  will  see  by  the  above  statement 
that  since  the  last  report  our  organization  has  made  very 
substantial  progress,  both  numerically  and  financially,  and  we 
attribute  this  success  largely  to  the  noble  efforts,  financial 
and  executive  ability  of  oUr  present  national  officers. 

Fred  Powell, 

Emanuel  Dixon, 

Committee. 


Central  Pennsylvania  Wage  Scale 


595 


Statement  of  the  Capital  National  Bank: 

Indianapolis,  July  9,  1898. 

To  whom  it  may  concern : 

This  is  to  certify  that  W.  C.  Pearce  had  on  deposit  in  this 
bank  on  June  30,  1898,  the  sum  of  $18,640.83. 

Very  respectfully, 

W.  B.  Wilson,  President. 

CENTRAL  PENNSYLVANIA  WAGE  SCALE. 

On  July  13,  1898  delegates  from  the  Central  Pennsylvania 
field  held  a convention  at  Altoona,  with  president  George 
Harris  in  the  chair  and  James  W.  Kilduff,  secretary. 

At  this  convention  the  ■ resignation  of  John  T.  Cline,  as 
Vice-President,  was  accepted  and  James  Napier,  a member 
of  the  executive  board,  was  elected  to  fill  the  position,  and 
G.  W.  Westhoven  was  elected  as  a member  of  the  executive 
board. 

During  the  proceedings,  a scale  of  prices  was  formulated 
for  mining,  day  wages,  and  hours  of  labor,  the  same  to  take 
effect  July  20  with  the  understanding  that  in  case  of  refusal 
on  the  part  of  the  operators  to  meet  the  demands  made  by 
July  28  work  would  be  suspended  at  all  mines  refusing  to  sign 
the  wage  scale  adopted. 

The  scale  made  by  the  miners  was  said  to  be  based  on  a 
general  increase  of  10  per  cent,  or  more,  in  all  branches  of 
mining,  and  because  the  machine  had  begun  to  play  such  a 
prominent  part  in  coal  mining  the  miners  thought  it  advis- 
able to  make  a stand  for  a living  wage. 

General  price  shall  be  45  cents  per  ton. 

Work  now  being  paid  more  than  40  cents  shall  be  advanced 
in  proportion. 

Machine  mining,  Harrison,  Jefferson  or  Sullivan:  Under- 
cutting in  rooms,  10  cents;  undercutting  in  headings,  11  cents; 
loading  in  rooms,  24  cents;  loading  in  headings,  26  cents. 
Jeffrey’s  link  belt,  Morgan  and  Gardner,  or  any  other  chain 
machine:  Undercutting  in  rooms,  8 cents;  undercutting  in 
headings,  9 cents;  loading  in  rooms,  26  cents;  loading  in 
headings,  28  cents. 

Cutting  and  loading  in  break  through  between  the  head- 
ings and  between  rooms  and  in  turnings  shall  be  paid  heading 


596 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


prices.  All  prices  now  being  paid  more  than  22  cents  for 
loading  and  6 cents  for  undercutting,  shall  be  advanced  in  pro- 
portion. The  foregoing  prices  are  for  net  ton,  run  of  mine. 

DEAD  WORK  SCALE. 

Clay  veins  in  rooms,  six  inches  or  less,  90  cents ; clay  veins 
six  inches  or  more,  per  foot,  $1.82;  clay  veins  at  an  angle 
across  room,  per  yard,  45  cents ; cutting  clay  veins  in  heading, 
90  cents;  lifting  bottom  in  rooms,  25  cents;  room  turning, 
neck  not  to  exceed  seven  yards,  $2.50;  headings,  per  yard, 
$1.00;  break-throughs,  95  cents;  miners’  day  wages,  $2.25; 
tracklayers,  per  day,  $1.90;  tracklayers’  helpers,  $1.80;  trap- 
pers, 75  cents;  bottom  cagers,  $1.80;  drivers,  $1.80;  trip 
riders  per  day,  $1.80;  water  haulers  per  day,  $1.80;  timber- 
men,  per  day,  $1.90;  pipe  men  for  air  plant,  $1.85;  all  other 
inside  labor,  $1.80. 

The  hours  for  day  labor  for  the  above  rates  at  the  mines 
shall  be  from  7 a.  m.  till  12  noon;  one  hour  for  dinner,  and 
from  1 p.  m.  till  4 p.  m.  If  overtime  is  worked,  increased 
wages  shall  be  paid  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  overtime. 

PITTSBURG  MINERS’  SPECIAL  CONVENTION. 

A special  miners’  convention  was  held  at  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  1st,  1898,  at  which  the  following  delegates 
participated.  Vice-President  Wm.  Dodds  called  the  meeting 
to  order,  and  Wm.  Warner  occupied  his  position  as  secretary. 
The  credentials  committee  reported  the  following  delegates 
entitled  to  seats:  Chas.  Shaw,  John  Dv^er,  John  Baumiller, 
Martin  Devine,  Wm.  Gay,  Samuel  King,  Andrew  Colvin,  Jas. 
Seltzer,  Fred  Howcraft,  Harry  Savage,  Robt.  Wright,  IMat- 
thew  O’Rourke,  Chris.  Smith,  John  Blume,  Fred  Kulow,  Adam 
Williams,  Daniel  Shields,  P.  J.  Hunt,  Chas.  Williams,  Jacob 
Fish,  Henry  Walker,  Jos.  McGill,  Jas.  Best.  Sam  Allen,  Geo. 
Mathews,  William  Gribbon,  Andrew  Mitchell,  Wm.  Leah,  John 
Shephard,  W.  H.  Smith,  Frank  Jordan,  Barney  Douds,  Jerry 
Nuttal,  David  Reese,  Nick  Ehl,  Dobson  Young,  Jas.  O’Neil, 
Richard  Mulvaney,  A1  Davis,  Jas.  Watchorn,  A.  D.  Stevens, 
Wm.  E.  Graham,  Enoch  Jones.  Moved  and  seconded  that  the 
report  be  accepted  as  read.  Carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 


Special' Convention  District  5,  1898  597 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  convened  at  1:10  p.  m. 

President  Dolan  proceeded  to  address  the  convention  upon 
the  objects  of  the  calling  of  the  convention,  which  he  stated 
was  that  the  Chicago  agreement  was  not-  being  enforced  and 
that  conditions  were  such  that  this  convention  was  called  for 
that  purpose. 

Secretary  Warner  next  submitted  the  following  financial 
report : 

Report  of  Secretary -Treasurer  for  six  months  ending  June 
30,  1898 : 

Mr.  President  and  Delegates  of  the  Convention: 

I herewith  submit  the  following  financial  report  for  the 
six  months  ending  June  30,  1898:  Amount  in  treasury  Jan- 
uary 1st,  $634.17 ; amount  of  per  capita  tax  received  for  six 
months,  $2,159.29;  received  from  National,  $200.00;  received 
from  5 cent  levy  for  testing  run-of-mine  law,  $414.85;  re- 
ceived from  extra  month’s  tax,  $208.84;  making  a total  in- 
come, $3,617.15.  Total  expenditures,  $3,616.78;  leaving  a bal- 
ance of  37  cents. 

I expect  during  the  session  of  the  convention  to  furnish 
each  delegate  with  a printed,  itemized  statement  of  the  full 
report. 

I herewith  submit  the  following  summarized  statements  of 
our  indebtedness.  To  W.  J.  Brennan,  for  costs  of  court  cases 
and  services  of  the  appeal  of  the  run-of-mine  law  to  the 
Supreme  Court,  $505.31 ; to  Divine  & Co.  for  printing,  $58.20 ; 
to  J.  J.  Weldon,  $92.77 ; to  C.  D.  & P.  Tel.  Co.,  $37.50 ; to  A.  M. 
Martin,  $15.00;  office  rent,  $56.66;  office  furniture,  $30.00; 
making  a total  of  $795.14. 

National  President  Ratchford  delivered  an  address  de- 
scribing conditions  and  giving  valuable  advice. 

After  President  Ratchford’s  address  Henry  Walker  was 
given  permission  to  explain  the  conditions  in  the  Third  Pool. 

Chairman  of  the  resolution  committee  announced  that  the 
committee  would  meet  at  7 p.  m.  in  the  district  office. 

The  auditing  committee  reported  the  following: 

We,  the  auditors,  elected  to  esxamine  the  books  and  ac- 
counts of  District  No.  5,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
have  attended  to  our  duty  and  report  that  we  have  found  the 


598 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


accounts  in  perfectly  good  shape  and  correct,  as  per  above 
the  secretary’s  report. 

(Signed)  (Thomas  Kirsop,  Jr.,) 

Mathew  Kerrigan,  Auditors. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  the  report  of  the  auditing  com- 
mittee be  accepted.  Carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 

At  the  second  day’s  session  a series  of  resolutions  were 
adopted  on  the  enforcement  of  the  agreement  entered  into  at 
Chicago  where  a scale  of  prices  had  been  made  to  govern  the 
Pittsburg  district  but  was  not  being  paid. 

Quite  a number  of  grievances  were  considered  and  acted 
upon  tending  to  remove  some  of  the  causes  that  were  calcu- 
lated to  increase  the  many  difficulties  they  were  called  upon 
to  meet. 

John  W.  Hayes,  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  John  Flannery, 
and  W.  W.  Plaster  were  roundly  denounced  together  with 
their  followers,  as  being  the  agents  of  W.  P.  DeArmitt,  cre- 
ated by  him  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  Chicago  agree- 
ment. 

President  Ratchford’s  application  for  appointment  as  a 
member  of  the  Industrial  Commission  was  indorsed,  and  the 
convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

REPORT  AND  JOINT  AGREEMENT  ON 
CHICAGO  AND  ALTON  RAILROAD. 

Springfield,  Illinois,  August  17th,  1898. 
M.  D.  Ratchford,  Esq.,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

Dear  Sir: — We,  the  undersigned  committee,  to  whom  was 
assigned  the  duty  of  investigating  mining  conditions  along  the 
Chicago  & Alton  track  south  of  Springfield,  do  hereby  report 
our  findings. 

The  conditions  under  which  the  investigation  was  con- 
ducted are  covered  in  the  following  agreement,  entered  into  at 
Indianapolis,  August  8,  1898: 


District  12, Operators’  and  Miners’  Report 


599 


ARTICLE  OF  AGREEMENT. 

Indianapolis,  Ind.,  August  8th,  1898. 

WITNESSETH — We,  the  undersigned,  operators  and  miners 
south  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  do  hereby  agree  to  leave  the  set- 
tlement of  the  mining  price  to  be  paid  in  said  district,  until 
April  1st  next,  to  President  M.  D.  Ratchford  and  the  National 
Executive  Board,  or  such  members  thereof  as  the  national 
president  may  be  able  to  send  to  make  investigations  in  order 
to  reach  their  determination.  Such  investigation  to  cover  the 
different  points  of  competition  and  the  price  arrived  at  to  be 
a fair  relative  one;  and  that  such  price  shall  be  reached  not 
later  than  August  16th  next. 

And  we  do  further  hereby  agree  to  abide  by  the  decision 
reached. 

Signed — On  behalf  of  Operators: 

Chicago  Virden  Coal  Company, 

F.  W.  Lukins,  Manager. 

Virden  Coal  Company, 

C.  H.  Hurst,  President. 
Carlinville  Coal  Company, 

W.  H.  Behrens,  Secretary. 
Litchfield  Mining  and  Power  Company, 

A.  G.  Klinebeck,  Receiver. 

On  behalf  of  Miners: 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  President. 
John  M.  Hunter. 

W.  D.  Ryan. 

Wood  Marble. 

James  Hall. 

Thos.  Gallagher. 

Pete  Owens. 

J.  A.  Murphy. 

Mr.  Hugh  Murray  on  behalf  of  the  Coal  Operators’  As- 
sociation of  St.  Louis;  S.  M.  Dalzell,  president  of  the  Coal 
Operators’  Association  of  Illinois;  J.  A.  Agee,  of  the  Spring- 
field  Coal  Operators’  Association ; J.  Smith  Talley,  president 
of  the  Indiana  Operators’  Association,  and  John  Green,  presi- 
dent of  the  Belleville  sub-district.  United  Mine  Workers,  pro- 
tested strongly  against  this  committee  acting  on  the  case  on 
the  ground  that  they  had  no  jurisdiction,  they  claiming  the 
right  to  protest  under  the  fifth  clause  of  the  Chicago  agree- 
ment, which  says  that  all  internal  differences  shall  be  referred 


600 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


to  the  different  districts  for  adjustment  and  claimed  no 
authority  is  vested  in  the  national  organization  to  interfere  in 
internal  matters  affecting  prices  or  conditions. 

To  substantiate  their  position  they  cited  the  fact  that  the 
State  scale  for  Illinois  was  arranged  and  adopted  at  a joint 
meeting  of  miners  and  operators  in  this  city  during  the  month 
of  February,  1898,  and  under  the  fifth  clause  of  the  Chicago 
agreement  it  could  only  be  changed  by  a like  joint  conference. 

In  answer  to  the  above  mentioned  protests  the  board  de- 
cided that  there  is  nothing  in  the  Chicago  agreement  whereby 
the  national  officials  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 
surrendered  their  rights  to  adjust  any  differences  that  may 
come  properly  before  them.  To  have  done  so  would  have 
placed  the  national  organization  in  the  ridiculous  position  of 
having  no  right  or  power  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of 
the  national  constitution,  which  authorizes  the  national  offi- 
cials to  take  charge  of  such  cases  in  order  to  bring  about  a 
settlement,  when  all  other  constitutional  provisions  have  beei 
complied  with.  Many  protests  were  filed  by  the  miners  fron 
different  portions  of  the  State,  principally  from  the  Spring- 
field  district,  against  any  reduction  of  the  mining  price  in  the 
district  affected. 

The  operators  from  the  Chicago  and  Alton  district  in  ask- 
ing for  a reduced  mining  rate  cite  the  following  reasons : 

First.  That  85  per  cent,  of  their  output  is  marketed  in 
Chicago. 

Second.  An  excessive  freight  rate  of  85  cents  a ton  to  the 
Chicago  market. 

Third.  That  50  per  cent,  of  their  coal  passes  through  the 
screen. 

Fourth.  The  fact  that  the  selling  price  of  lump  coal  in 
Chicago  is  $1.36i/4  a ton. 

Fifth.  That  they  had  formerly  obtained  from  the  miners 
$2.25  per  keg  for  powder  and  the  present  price  of  $1.75  had 
added  to  the  cost  of  producing  coal. 

In  answer  to  the  first  two  propositions,  we  desire  to  say 
that  there  has  been  an  abundance  of  evidence  introduced 
which  shows  that  other  coal  companies  operating  similar  veins 
of  coal  shipping  to  the  same  markets,  paying  the  regular  scale 


Rebates  on  Coal  Shipped  to  Chicago 


601 


of  40  cents  a ton,  located  a greater  distance  from  Chicago, 
shipping  at  published  freight  rates  of  85  cents  per  ton,  have 
been  able  to  secure  a greater  volume  of  business  than  that  of 
former  years.  We  desire  to  note  here  that  the  average  ad- 
vance in  mining  rates  at  the  mine  securing  above  mentioned 
business  is  77  per  cent,  above  rates  paid  prior  to  suspension 
of  1897.  It  clearly  demonstrated  by  the  evidence  that  freight 
rates  on  all  large  contracts,  as  well  as  railroad  coal,  was  much 
less  than  85  cents  per  ton  and  the  same  applied  to  coal  de- 
livered at  intermediate  points  between  said  Chicago  and  Alton 
mines  and  Chicago. 

Mr.  Simpson,  of  the  Consolidated  Company,  Mr.  Moores- 
head,  of  the  Madison,  and  other  operators  present  stated  that 
they  had  received  rebates  on  coal  shipped  to  Chicago  on  other 
coal-carrying  roads,  it  having  been  clearly  proven  that  the  coal 
companies  on  competing  lines  are  given  a rebate  from  pub- 
lished freight  rates,  it  is  safe  to  presume  that  mines  on  the 
Chicago  & Alton  Railroad  receive  the  same  rebate.  In  fact, 
it  has  been  admitted  by  the  Chicago  & Alton  operators  that 
they  do  not  pay  the  full  tariff  rates  on  all  their  coal,  but  have 
refused  to  divulge  the  amount  on  which  the  full  tariff  rates 
are  not  paid.  It  is  the  opinion  of  this  board  that  if  the  Chi- 
cago & Alton  Railroad  does  not  treat  their  patrons  with  the 
same  consideration  that  competing  roads  do,  this  is  no  reason 
why  the  whole  burden  should  be  borne  by  the  employes  of 
said  mines. 

In  regard  to  the  third  proposition,  viz.,  that  50  per  cent,  of 
the  coal  went  through  screens,  it  has  been  admitted  by  Mr. 
Lukins  of  the  Chicago  Virden  Coal  Company,  that  the  screen 
used  at  this  mine  over  which  this  coal  passed  was  12x16  feet, 
or  192  superficial  feet  in  area,  with  li/^-inch  diamond  bar.  In 
addition  to  this  it  was  admitted  that  a device  called  a 
“spreader”  was  placed  in  the  chute  which  distributed  the  coal 
over  the  entire  screen,  this  to  a great  extent  accounting  for  the 
unusual  large  amount  of  screenings.  While  other  mines  in 
this  district  did  not  produce  the  amount  of  screenings  credited 
to  the  Chicago  Virden  Company,  the  screens  in  use  were 
larger  than  that  generally  used  in  Illinois.  We  believe  that 


602 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


other  mines  in  that  section  of  the  State,  worked  under  similar 
conditions,  would  produce  a like  amount  of  screenings. 

Fourth.  “The  fact  that  the  selling  price  of  coal  in  Chi- 
cago is  $1,371/2  per  ton.” 

In  this  connection  we  do  not  believe  that  the  price  stated 
by  the  Chicago  & Alton  operators  is  a safe  criterion  on  which 
to  base  a mining  price  for  that  district.  These  prices  are  ac- 
counted for  by  the  fact,  well  known  to  the  coal  trade,  that 
large  amounts  of  coal  shipped  to  Chicago  are  often,  during 
the  dull  season,  sold  at  ruinous  prices  in  order  to  save  demur- 
rage. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  written  evidence  in  pos- 
session of  this  committee  submitted  by  Hugh  Murray,  chair- 
man of  the  St.  Louis  Coal  Association  and  G.  N.  Black,  chair- 
. man  of  the  Springfield  Coal  Association: 

“In  our  experience,  $1.45  to  $1.60  more  correctly  repre- 
sents the  current  selling  price  on  coal  from  this  district.” 

In  regard  to  the  fifth  clause  as  above  stated,  we  see  no  rea- 
son why  the  selling  price  of  powder  should  be  considered  by 
this  or  any  other  board  in  determing  a proper  scale  in  that  or 
any  other  district  for  mining  coal.  The  fact  that  powder  was 
sold  in  the  Chicago  & Alton  district  at  $2.25  per  keg  and  is 
now  sold  at  the  uniform  price  of  $1.75  is  no  reason  why  they 
should  get  a reduced  mining  rate  to  make  up  for  the  reduction 
in  powder.  We  believe  the  time  has  arrived  when  coal  must 
be  sold  on  its  merits  as  coal  and  not  on  the  market  value  of 
mine  supplies. 

We  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  one  important  fact 
which  occurred  at  the  meeting  yesterdaj^  morning.  During  a 
controversy  which  was  being  carried  on  between  the  operators, 
Mr.  J.  C.  Crabb,  of  Staunton,  stated  that  Mr.  Lukins  had  ap- 
proached him  during  this  meeting  and  said  substantially  as 
follows : 

“Mr.  Crabb,  I can  not  see  why  you  and  other  operators 
come  to  this  meeting  and  attempt  to  prevent  us  from  getting 
a reduction  in  our  mining  rates.  Do  you  not  know  that  if  a 
reduction  is  secured  in  our  district  the  same  reduction  will 
ultimately  be  secured  throughout  the  whole  southern  field?” 

Mr.  Lukins  denied  that  he  had  been  properly  quoted  by 


Convention,  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas  603 

Mr.  Crabb,  but  admitted  he  had  stated  that  the  whole  southern 
fields  had  been  rated  too  high. 

In  connection  with  this  matter  we  also  desire  to  call  your 
attention  to  affidavits  furnished  by  Mr.  Murray  and  Mr.  Agee 
for  the  purpose  of  proving  that  overtures  had  been  made  to 
them  along  the  same  lines  and  which  we  submit  with  the  other 
printed  evidence  in  this  case. 

In  conclusion,  we  desire  to  call  attention  to  what  we  believe 
to  have  been  the  purpose  of  the  Chicago  interstate  convention 
and  the  necessity  of  carrying  out  its  effects  religiously  to  the 
end  that  we  may  perpetuate  indefinitely  the  present  improved 
condition  of  the  coal  industry  for  both  operators  and  miners. 

First.  A more  equal  distribution  of  business  among  the 
different  districts  and  a fair  share  of  the  profits  to  all  of  the 
coal  operators. 

Second.  A full  share  of  work  for  all  of  the  miners  and  an  ' 
equal  opportunity  to  earn  living  wages.  In  this  connection, 
we  draw  attention  to  the  fact  that  there  are  853  mines  of  all 
kinds  in  this  State,  of  which  310  are  shipping  mines.  The 
annual  production  of  all  shipping  mines  is  about  20,000,000 
tons.  In  the  district  known  as  the  Chicago  & Alton  sub-dis- 
trict, there  are  nine  mines  classed  as  shipping  mines,  and 
from  the  testimony  of  operators  from  the  Chicago  & Alton 
road  it  was  shown  that  about  1,000,000  tons  is  produced  an- 
nually by  mines  in  this  sub-district.  This,  we  believe,  clearly 
demonstrates  the  fact  that  this  sub-district  has  enjoyed  ad- 
vantages over  their  competitors. 

After  a careful  review  of  all  the  evidence  submitted  to  this 
board  we  do  not  deem  it  wise  to  change  the  prices  fixed  for  the 
Chicago  & Alton  sub-district  and  do  so  decide. 

Edward  McKay,  Chairman. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary. 

J.  H.  Kennedy. 

John  Mitchell,  National  Vice-President. 

Indorsed  by:  M.  D.  Ratchford,  President, 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer. 


604 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ARKANSAS -INDIAN  TERRITORY  CONVENTION. 

Fort  Smith,  Ark.,  October  7th,  1898. 

A convention  of  the  miners  of  Arkansas  and  the  Indian 
Territory,  held  October  7,  1898,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting 
themselves  with  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  was 
held  in  Turner’s  Hall,  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas. 

Delegates  present;  Huntington — Dan  Bales,  Sol  Lodge, 
Wm.  McClintic;  Bonanza — S.  F.  Brackney,  Joseph  Pendleton, 
J.  T,  Lucas;  Jenny  Lind — Albert  Struple,  Frank  Metzett; 
Cherry  Vale,  I.  T. — John  Mordue,  James  Rowe;  Alderson — 
W.  R.  Howe,  S.  J.  Johnson. 

Albert  Struble  was  elected  chairman,  and  J.  T.  Lucas  sec- 
retary. 

Convention  declared  a recess. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  2 :30  p.  m.  Reading  of  report 
of  committee  on  resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  we  adopt  the  best  feasible  plan  to  organize 
the  mines  and  mine  laborers  of  these  localities  under  one  head 
for  the  best  interests  of  labor,  according  to  the  best  advice  of 
this  convention  assembled. 

Jos.  Pendleton, 

W.  R.  Howe, 

Dan  Bales,  Committee. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  received. 

On  motion,  that  we  accept  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  and  that  the  Indian  Territory  and  Arkansas  be 
made  one  district.  Carried. 

The  secretary  was  instructed  to  correspond  with  head- 
quarters of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  informing 
them  of  the  action  taken  by  this  convention ; also  asking  them 
to  send  an  organizer  to  this  part  of  the  country. 

Motion,  that  this  convention  proceed  to  elect  district  officers 
and  executive  board. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  7 :30  p.  m.  by  the  chairman 
and  the  business  of  electing  officers  was  then  taken  up. 

Officers  elected:  Albert  Struble,  president;  John  Mordue, 
vice-president;  S.  F.  Brackney,  secretary;  Dan  Bales,  treas- 


Convention,  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas  605 

urer;  executive  board,  ^ol  Lodge,  W.  R.  Howe,  S.  J.  Johnson, 
Jos.  Pendleton  and  Jas.  Rowe. 

Motion,  That  the  chair  appoint  a committee  of  three  to 
draw  up  resolutions  to  be  presented  to  the  legislature  of  Ar- 
kansas for  the  benefit  of  the  miners.  Carried. 

Committee:  J.  T.  Lucas,  Jos.  Pendlton  and  Sol  Lodge. 

Resolutions  adopted: 

That  the  next  convention  be  held  at  South  McAllister,  I.  T. ; 
also  a copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this  convention  be  given  to 
the  papers  of  Fort  Smith. 

That  the  price  of  initiation  be  one  dollar,  and  that  the 
delegates  act  as  temporary  organizers  until  regular  organizers 
arrive. 

The  delegates  were  assessed  25  cents  each  to  defray  ex- 
penses of  convention. 

That  the  next  convention  be  called  for  the  second  Monday 
in  January,  1899 ; also  a vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  and 
secretary  for  the  manner  in  which  they  have  conducted  this 
convention. 

Motion  to  adjourn  subject  to  call  of  the  president.  Carried. 

J.  T.  Lucas,  Secretary. 

Late  in  September,  1898,  the  miners  of  Pana,  Illinois,  while 
contending  for  scale  prices,  were  surrounded  by  incidents  well 
calculated  to  disturb  the  mind,  but  with  stockade  conditions 
to  shelter  the  men  imported  there  to  work  in  the  mines,  ac- 
companied by  100  deputies  and  a number  of  other  negroes 
heavily  armed,  made  the  situation  anything  but  inviting. 

On  the  night  of  September  28th,  striking  union  coal  miners 
and  imported  colored  men  engaged  in  a pitched  battle  in  the 
main  street  of  the  city  and  several  hundred  shots  were  ex- 
changed, the  negroes  using  Winchesters,  and  the  miners  shot- 
guns, rifles  and  revolvers,  the  result  of  which  caused  the  death 
of  several  imported  participants. 

With  this  warlike  attitude  in  full  view,  business  houses 
were  closed,  lights  extinguished  and  the  citizens  generally 
sought  their  homes  leaving  the  miners  in  full  charge  of  the 
streets  at  midnight.  At  the  end  of  this  turmoil  many  of  the 
negroes  left  on  board  the  train  at  the  expense  of  the  miners’ 
union. 


606 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  situation  at  Pana  paved  the  way  for  like  troubles  at 
other  parts  of  the  State  later  on. 

The  contest  between  the  miners  and  operators  at  Pana 
and  Virden,  as  well  as  at  other  places  in  Illinois,  continued 
without  any  apparent  change.  Colored  miners  were  coming 
into  the  State  from  Alabama  daily,  which  increased  the  inten- ' 
sity  of  the  situation  to  an  alarming  degree. 

What  was  known  as  the  Alabama  miners  division  of  the 
“Afro-American  Labor  and  Protective  Association”  became 
very  much  interested.  A meeting  was  called  at  Birmingham 
and  presided  over  by  the  president  of  the  Association,  R.  L. 
Ruffin,  at  which  the  stand  taken  by  the  Pana  miners  was  en- 
dorsed and  resolutions  adopted  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  we  deplore  the  conditions  now  prevailing 
at  Pana,  and  that  we  condemn  the  action  of  the  colored  miners 
in  going  to  Pana,  remaining  at  Pana  or  participating  in  any 
manner  to  aid  the  operators  in  carrying  out  their  tyrannical 
designs  against  labor. 

Resolved,  That  we  use  every  effort  to  intercept  the  move- 
ment of  negro  miners  from  this  section  to  Pana,  and  that  we 
join  our  efforts  and  arguments  with  J.  M.  Hunter,  W.  R.  Fair- 
ley  and  others  to  relieve  Pana  mines  of  all  colored  laborers 
carried  there  and  retained  there  by  reason  of  the  strike. 

Resolved,  That  R.  L.  Ruffin,  president  of  the  “Afro-Ameri- 
can Labor  and  Protective  Association,”  is  hereby  authorized 
and  requested  to  confer  with  all  labor  leaders  and  friends  of 
labor  as  to  the  carrying  out  of  this  plan ; that  a copy  of  these 
resolutions  be  sent  to  Presidents  J.  M.  Hunter  and  W.  R.  Fair- 
ley  and  others,  and  that  a conference  be  sought  with  President 
Hunter  at  the  earliest  possible  date. 

The  Illinois  situation  at  Pana  was  afterwards  enlarged 
upon  at  Virden,  that  terminated  in  riot  and  murder  October 
12,  1898. 

A description  of  the  scenes  portrayed  is  heart-rending  in 
the  extreme.  . National  Vice-President  John  Mitchell  and  Dis- 
trict Secretary  W.  D.  Ryan  were  at  Pana  when  the  trouble  at 
Virden  occurred  but  arrived  at  Virden  the  same  evening. 

Before  leaving  Pana  Acting  President  Mitchell  was  ar- 
rested and  placed  under  two  hundred  dollar  bonds  to  answer 
to  the  charge  of  inciting  tb  riot,  at  the  November  term  of 
court. 


THE  BATTLE  SCENE  AT  VIRDEN,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  12,  1898 


608 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


On  Thursday  morning,  October  13,  the  Virden  miners 
were  informed  that  a trainload  of  colored  laborers  would  ar- 
rive at  Virden  and  were  advised  to  meet  them  on  arrival,  pre- 
pared with  all  peaceful  methods  to  induce  them  not  to  go  into 
the  stockade  to  start  work. 

When  the  train  arrived  at  the  old  south  mine,  a distance 
from  the  mine  owned  by  the  Chicago  Virden  Coal  Company, 
the  hired  guards  employed  by  Lukens,  the  mine  manager, 
opened  fire  on  the  union  miners,  while  other  guards  concealed 
behind  the  stockade  took  deliberate  aim,  killing  and  maiming 
miners  all  around. 

Union  miners,  it  was  said,  did  not  fire  on  the  train  until 
several  shots  had  been  fired  from  the  train  and  a number  of 
miners  wounded. 

The  following  messages  passed  between  President  Ratch- 
ford,  Acting  President  Mitchell  and  Secretary  Ryan,  anent  the 
burial  of  the  dead  and  the  care  of  the  wounded  miners  at 
Virden : 

October  13,  1898. 

John  Mitchell,  Virden,  Illinois: 

Regret  the  sad  occurence  of  yesterday.  Wire  me  the  num- 
ber of  our  men  among  the  dead  and  wounded  and  other  par- 
ticulars in  haste. 

M.  D.  Ratchford. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  October,  13. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  96  Diamond  Street,  Pittsburg: 

Seven  union  miners  killed,  eight  wounded;  four  or  five 
guards  dead,  same  number  wounded.  Sent  wounded  to  Spring- 
field  Hospital,  dead  to  their  homes.  All  quiet.  Soldiers  in 
charge  stockade.  Orders  from  Governor  allow  no  imported 
negroes  to  land.  Will  arrive  at  office  Saturday  or  Sunday. 

John  Mitchell. 

October  13,  1898. 

John  Mitchell,  Virden,  Illinois: 

Message  received.  The  union  miners  who  fell  in  yester- 
day’s riot  must  have  a decent  burial.  Make  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  same  at  expense  of  union  if  necessary ; also 
see  to  it  that  the  wounded  men  are  properly  cared  for  and  re- 
port to  me  by  wire  tomorrow  at  Massillon. 

M.  D.  Ratchford. 


JOHN  R.  TANNER 
GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS,  1898 


610 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Virden,  Illinois,  October  13. 

M.  D.  Ratchford : 

Message  received.  Many  thanks.  Well  prepared  for 
emergency,  ample  funds. 


Mitchell,  Springfield. 
W.  D.  Ryan. 


THE  LATTIMER,  PA.,  MASSACRE. 

On  February  1,  1898,  Sheriff  James  Martin  and  his  depu- 
ties were  tried  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  for  the  murders  of  19 
men  they  had  shot  to  death,  and  mercilessly  wounded  40 
others  at  the  village  of  Lattimer  near  Hazleton,  Pa.,  on  the 
10th  day  of  September,  1897. 

The  following  verdict  was  rendered  by  the  jury  selected : 

That  from  the  circumstances  of  the  case  and  the  evidence 
offered,  the  said  Clement  Platock  and  others  came  to  their 
deaths  by  gunshot  wounds  on  September  10,  1897,  at  the 
hands  of  Sheriff  James  Martin  and  his  deputies,  and  in  this 
we,  the  jury,  do  all  agree,  and  we,  Phil  S.  Boyle,  Thomas  T. 
Thomas,  Barton  Freas  and  Peter  McKierman,  of  this  jurj*,  do 
further  say  that  the  said  Clement  Platock,  with  others,  was 
marching  peacefully  and  unarmed  on  the  public  highway ; that 
they  were  intercepted  by  said  Sheriff  Martin  and  his  deputies 
and  mercilessly  shot  to  death,  and  we  do  further  find  that  the 
killing  was  unnecessary  and  could  have  been  avoided  without 
serious  injury  to  either  person  or  property,  and  we  find  finally 
that  the  killing  was  wanton  and  unj  ustifiable,  but  in  this,  we. 
George  Maue  and  F.  J.  McNeal,  of  this  jury,  do  not  concur, 
and  we,  the  jury  do  further  say  that  there  was  such  strong 
suspicion  of  unlawful  violence  at  the  hands  of  person  or  per- 
sons unknown  to  this  jury  as  to  make  this  inquest  unnecessary. 

From  the  report  made  by  the  jury  it  will  be  seen  that  with 
the  exception  of  George  Maue  and  F.  J.  McNeal  of  the  juiy, 
all  the  jurymen  were  agreed  “that  the  killing  was  wanton  and 
unjustifiable,”  and  yet  the  principal  reason  assigned  at  the 
time  by  the  defenders  of  Sheriff  Martin  and  his  deputies,  for 


JOHN  KANE  DIED  JULY  19,  1897,  AGED  38  YEARS. 

A CONSCIENTIOUS  EXPONENT  OF  RIGHT  AGAINST  WRONG. 


612 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  Lattimer  tragedy,  was  that  the  wounded  and  killed  were 
ignorant  foreigners. 

Under  the  circumstances  described,  a lack  of  knowledge  of 
the  English  language  makes  it  dangerous,  under  the  Sheriff 
Martin  rule,  for  all  foreigners,  be  they  French,  Irish,  Welsh 
or  of  any  other  nationality,  to  seek  employment  in  or  around 
the  American  mines.  Such  incidents  are  a sad  commentary 
and  do  not  reflect  much  credit  for  the  Pennsylvania  laws  that 
are  supposed  to  justify  all  persons  alike  within  its  borders, 
when  put  into  practice  by  the  United  States  government. 


TENNESSEE— CONVICT  MINES  VISIT, 
OCTOBER,  1898. 

Rockwood,  Tenn.,  October  8,  1898. 

Editor  Journal : — Having  returned  to  the  mountains  of  Ten- 
nessee, I will  record  a few  of  the  incidents  that  occurred  on 
my  travels  during  the  past  week.  We  have  visited  Petros,  a 
mining  town  on  a branch  road  known  as  the  Harriman  and 
Northeastern  railroad.  We  also  made  a call  at  the  state  mine, 
which  is  at  the  terminus  of  the  same  road. 

Our  visit  to  Petros  was  a very  pleasant  one.  The  material 
there  is  of  the  best  from  an  organization  point  of  view.  We 
organized  a local  union  at  Petros,  and  believe  that  the  mem- 
bers will  count  among  the  most  active  workers  in  the  state. 
The  latter  place  is  next-door  neighbor  to  the  convict  mine,  but 
this  does  not  deter  them  from  expressing  their  union  princi- 
ples. Being  anxious  to  visit  the  State  mine,  worked  by  convict 
labor,  we  made  all  haste  possible  to  get  admittance  into  the 
jail. 

Early  on  Wednesday  morning  we  were  on  our  way  to  th,e 
mine,  passed  all  the  sentinels  and  reached  the  mouth  of  the 
mine  before  seven  o’clock.  Our  first  call  was  made  on  General 
Manager  Wood,  at  the  government  building,  who  very  politely 
received  us  and  gave  us  our  passport,  and  though  we  found 
guards  in  large  numbers  and  guns  just  as  numerous,  prac- 
tically speaking  our  pathway  was  clear  for  we  were  veiy 
courteously  received  by  all  and  allowed  to  pass  unmolested, 
save  the  telling  of  our  past  history  and  present,  which  of 
course  was  rather  embarrassing  when  there  are  so  many 
things  one  does  not  wish  to  relate.  On  our  way  to  the  mine 


Tennessee  Convict  Mine  Report 


613 


stripes  without  stars  very  often  confronted  us,  but  when  trav- 
eling up  the  mountain  side  all  alone  our  curiosity  was  much 
more  in  evidence  at  the  sight  of  the  only  woman  we  had  yet 
seen  coming  from  the  direction  of  the  mine.  We  traveled  on, 
however,  and  when  we  met,  though  our  modesty  prevented  the 
asking  of  any  questions,  the  polite  manner  in  which  our  saluta- 
tion was  received  convinced  us  that  none  but  male  convicts 
were  employed  to  mine  coal  in  the  mine  operated  by  the  state. 

On  reaching  the  top  of  an  incline  plane  other  guards  were 
stationed  at  different  cabins  around  the  entrance  to  the  mine, 
but  when  our  mission  was  explained  one  of  the  mine  foremen 
by  the  name  of  Kellum  very  kindly  offered  his  services  as  our 
escort  through  the  part  of  the  mine  under  his  charge.  We  as 
cheerfully  accepted  with  many  thanks,  and  commenced  our 
subterranean  journey  until  we  reached  the  cabin  of  Foreman 
Parker,  the  man  Manager  Wood  had  recommended  us  to  in- 
quire for,  and  to  whom  my  passport  was  addressed. 

The  introductory  part  of  out  program  was  now  at  an  end, 
and  both  gentlemen  accompanied  me  through  a large  portion 
of  the  mine,  including  several  entries  and  rooms,  and  about 
four  hours’  time  was  spent  among  the  convict  miners  in  the 
mine  owned  and  operated  by  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

About  525  convicts  are  employed  in  and  around  the  mines ; 
200  of  these  are  employed  at  outside  work,  on  the  top  of  the 
plane,  dumping  coal,  making  coke,  shifting  railroad  cars; 
some  acting  as  “trusties,”  carrying  the  mail,  etc.,  and  in  fact, 
filling  all  positions  necessary  for  outside  work,  except  that  of 
checkweighman.  One  hundred  coke  ovens  are  in  full  blast 
and  I was  told  that  about  1,000  tons  of  coal  are  mined  daily. 

Each  convict  has  a daily  task  to  perform.  In  entries  two 
men  mine  eight  cars  of  coal,  said  to  weigh  about  thirteen  hun- 
dred pounds.  One  man  in  entry  has  to  load  five  cars.  In 
rooms  two  men’s  task  is  eleven  cars  and  one  man  must  fill  six 
cars  when  he  is  alone.  It  is  ruh-of-mine  coal  in  every  instance. 
Eight  cents  per  car  is  paid  for  every  car  that  is  filled  over  the 
required  task.  When  the  mine  is  idle  all  convicts  are  in  the 
mine  as  usual,  and  when  the  mine  works  again  they  must  fill 
half  task  for  each  day  lost  unless  there  are  several  idle  days 
together,  then  the  extra  task  is  made  lighter.  For  any  refusal 
to  carry  out  rules  the  lash  is  applied.  Some  convicts  are  very 
little  affected  by  lashes,  while  others  take  it  as  very  severe 
punishment. 

The  coal  is  about  three  feet  thick,  rather  soft,  fairly  good 
to  mine  and  a good  roof  or  top  overhead.  The  mine  is  pretty 
well  ventilated.  ^Entries  and  rooms,  generally  speaking,  are 
dry.  There  is  about  one  foot  of  fireclay  under  the  coal  which 
seems  to  act  as  a filler  and  dry  entries  for  mules  seem  to  be 


614 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  rule.  One  entry,  however,  going  toward  the  dip  was  wet, 
and  was  timbered  rather  heavy.  Otherwise  very  little  timber 
is  used  and  in  many  cases  props  were  unseen  in  rooms. 

I don’t  know  whether  it  will  add  anything  to  my  credit  or 
not,  but  the  last  coal  I mined  was  in  an  entry  by  the  side  of 
a colored  convict,  with  stripes,  but  no  stars,  in  a mine  owned 
and  operated  by  the  state  government  of  Tennessee.  About 
fifty  state  employes  are  said  to  be  engaged  at  the  mine,  such 
as  manager,  mine  foremen,  etc.,  at  salaries  ranging  from  $40 
to  $160  per  month.  Many  of  these  are  very  anxious  to  know 
who  will  be  the  next  governor  of  Tennessee. 

After  leaving  the  mine  we  were  escorted  to  the  stockade, 
or  prison,  where  the  convicts  eat  and  sleep  after  their  days’ 
work  is  done.  They  are  marched  from  their  working  places  in 
the  mines  through  an  entry  and  to  an  opening  near  the  jail  on 
the  mountain  side.  The  remaining  distance  is  securely  cov- 
ered until  they  enter  the  prison  walls,  made  of  boards  and 
posts,  12  feet  high.  After  entering  they  go  direct  to  the  bath 
room,  und>’ess,  go  through  the  process  of  shower  baths,  put 
clean  suits  on,  and  then  march  to  the  supper  table,  after  which 
they  retire  to  their  beds  and  remain  there  until  next  morning, 
when  they  breakfast,  get  their  dinner  bucket,  enter  the  mine 
again  at  about  half-past  five  o’clock  in  the  morning  to  be  re- 
leased about  five  o’clock  every  night. 

On  visiting  the  prison  we  found,  out  of  508  convicts,  about 
60  of  which  were  white  men,  only  four  sick.  Three  of  these 
had  broken  legs  through  accidents  in  the  mines.  No  white 
convicts  among  the  number.  This  is  certainly  a good  showing, 
when  we  consider  all  the  circumtsances  surrounding  these 
convicts,  made  up  from  every  avocation.  The  system,  how- 
ever, is  wrong.  The  coal  that  is  mined  by  convicts  is  supply- 
ing the  markets  at  prices  that  free  labor  is  unable  to  compete 
with  and  must  be  stopped  by  the  voters  of  Tennessee.  They 
have  done  away  with  individual  contract  labor,  and  we  hope 
the  state  will  be  compelled  to  follow  suit  in  the  near  future. 

Chris  Evans. 

O’GARA  AND  KING  JOINT  AGREEMENT. 

Chicago,  Illinois,  November  16,  1898. 

The  following  agreement  to  remain  in  force  from  date  un- 
til April  1,  1899 : 

Memorandum  of  agreement  between  the  O’Gara  and  King 
Mining  Company  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

Section  1.  The  price  per  ton  of  pick-mined,  run  of  mine 
coal  to  be  40  cents,  the  miners  agreeing  to  shoot  the  bottom 
coal  before  shooting  the  top  coal. 


Conditions  and  Rates  Before  1898 


615 


Section  2.  Entry  price  to  be  $1.35  per  yard  for  eight 
feet  and  $1.15  for  twelve-foot  entries,  turning  room  $2.50, 
machine  mining  33  cents  per  ton  run  of  mine  coal,  entry  ma- 
chine mining,  eight-foot,  38 'cents  per  ton,  square  turn  to  be 
kept,  each  miner  receiving  an  equal  number  of  cars.  Props 
to  be  sawed  square  on  butt  end.  No  docking  for  loading 
unclean  coal.  Same  arrangements  to  be  agreed  to  between 
the  superintendent  of  the  O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company 
and  the  pit  committee  which  will  fully  protect  the  said  com- 
pany. The  employes  of  the  O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company 
expressly  agree  to  observe  carefully  the  laws  and  constitu- 
tional requirements  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 
No  employe  to  be  discharged  without  good  and  sufficient  cause. 
The  miners  agree  that  mass  meetings  will  not  be  held  in  the 
mines.  The  company  agrees  to  employ  all  former  employes 
without  discrimination.  The  following  scale  of  wages  to  be 
paid  day  laborers : 

Per  day — Company  men,  $1.75;  drivers,,  $1.75;  track 
layers,  $1.90;  timber  men,  $1.90;  all  other  inside  labor,  $1.75; 
trappers,  $.75. 

Outside  labor  to  be  paid  the  scale  agreed  to  between  the 
O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company  and  said  top  men  during 
the  resumption  of  work  last  June.  The  company  agrees  to 
furnish  the  pit  committee  with  a check  and  permit  them  to 
check  off  union  dues  and  other  assessments  required  by  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company : 
O’GARA  AND  KING  MINING  COMPANY. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America ; 

John  Mitchell. 

John  Hunter. 

W.  R.  Russell. 

W.  D.  Ryan. 

Edward  Cahill. 

Daniel  J.  Keefe,  Chairman. 

CONDITIONS  PREVAILING  AND  MINING  RATES  BEFORE  SCALE  WAS 
MADE  AT  CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS,  1898. 


Size  screens 
between 

Districts.  1897  Per  ton,  1897  bars,  1897 

Pittsburg  thin  vein .48-52  1% 

Hocking  Valley  and  Cambridge,  Ohio .56  standard 

Eastern,  Ohio,  middle  district .56  11,4 

Jackson  County,  Ohio, .56  standard 

Jackson  County,  Ohio,  low  coal, .61  standard 

Palmyra,  Ohio .6.31/4  standard 

Salineville,  Ohio,  No.  6 vein .56  li/4 

Salineville  Strip  vein,  No.  7 (9  hours) .71  lli 


616 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Indiana  Bituminous — 

Screened  lump  .56  1% 

Coal  under  2 feet  10  indies .76 

Brazil  Block  coal,  3 ft.  1 in .71 

Illinois  All  Mine-Run — 

1st  District,  Streator,  etc .44 

Wilmington,  etc .65 

2nd  District,  Danville,  Westville,  Grape  Creek,  and  Ver- 
million Co.  mines, .37 

3rd  District,  Springfield,  Niantic  and  Lincoln .37  7-10 

4th  District,  Carlinville,  Taylorville,  Pana,  Litchfield,  and 

Hillsboro .32  2-10 

Assumption  and  Moweaka  long  wall  mines .52 

5tli  District,  Glen  Carbon,  Belleville .37 

6th  District,  DuQuoin,  Oden,  Sandoval .28 

7th  District,  Carterville,  and  Big  Muddy  District .28 

8th  District,  Fulton,  Peoria .45 

Long  wall  .60 

9th  District,  Mt.  Olive,  Staunton,  Collinsville,  and  Breeze  .37 


Ohio  miners’  wages  per  day,  for  1897  as  compared  with 
1898,  for  actual  days  worked  (stated  to  be  171). — Machine 
loaders,  1897 — $1.26 ; 1898 — $1.39 ; an  increase  of  13  cents 
per  day  on  171  days,  for  1898.  Machine  runners,  1898 — 
$2.45.  Pick  mining,  1897 — $1.27 ; 1898 — $1.61 ; an  in- 
crease of  34  cents  per  day  on  171  days  for  1898;  making  an 
increase  of  21  cents  per  day  for  pick  mining  over  machine 
mining,  or  an  increase  of  $35.91  for  the  actual  number  of  days 
worked,  a fact  fully  demonstrating  that  machine  miners  are 
not  receiving  an  equal  share,  or  pay,  with  the  miners  still 
adhering  to  the  pick. 

Day  hands,  1897 — 6,654 ; 1898 — 6,546 ; decrease — 108.  De- 
crease in  day  hands,  which  gives  another  evidence  <#■  less  cost 
for  day  work,  and  larger  profits  per  ton  on  all  coal  mined. 

Total  output  for  Ohio,  1897 — 12,448,822;  1898 — 14,058,- 
135 ; increase — 1,609,313. 

Hocking  District,  1897—4,129,702;  1898—4,577,474;  in- 
crease— 447,772. 

Ohio,  machine  mining,  total  for  year  1897 — 4,105,124; 
1898 — 5,252,598 ; increase,  1898 — 1,147,474,  equals  entire  out- 
put for  1890. 

Athens,  Hocking  and  Perry  counties  produced  in  1897 — 
78  per  cent ; in  1898 — 86  per  cent ; increase,  1898  over  1897 — 
8 per  cent. 


Convention  of  Sub-District  6,  Ohio 


617 


CONVENTION  OF  SUB-DISTRICT  6,  DISTRICT  6. 

A miners’  convention  of  Sub-district  6,  of  District  6,  Ohio, 
was  held  at  Zanesville,  Ohio'  December  2,  1898. 

President  D.  H.  Sullivan  called  the  convention  to  order  and 
after  appointing  the  necessary  committees  submitted  his  re- 
port. 

In  reviewing  the  situation  the  president  called  attention  to 
the  deplorable  condition  of  affairs  existing  previous  to  the 
Chicago  Joint  Conference  in  January,  when  the  operators 
gave  an  advance  of  ten  cents  per  ton  on  mining  and  the  eight- 
hour  workday,  to  take  effect  April  1.  The  future  prospect 
however,  he  said,  was  much  brighter  owing  to  the  changes 
made  and  he  hoped  the  local  conditions  would  be  improved 
correspondingly. 

National  Organizer  W.  C.  Scott  addressed  the  convention 
and  his  remarks  on  the  condition  of  the  organization  and  the 
coal  situation  in  general  were  well  received. 

After  the  report  of  the  credential  committee  had  been 
made  and  delegates  seated,  the  auditing  committee  reported 
as  follows : 

REPORT  OF  AUDITING  COMMITTEE 


Balance  in  treasury  January  1,  1898, $25.85 

Receipts  for  year 245.80 


Expenditures. 

D.  H.  Sullivan,  labor  and  expenses $117.02 

Jas.  M.  Stewart,  Labor  and  expenses . 19.35 

Jno.  Malloy,  labor  and  expenses 63.03 


Total $199.40 

Balance  in  treasury $72.25 


Officers  elected — President,  Jas.  M.  Stewart;  Vice-Presi- 
dent, L.  W.  Finch;  Secretary-Treasurer;  C.  C.  Henderson; 
Member  Executive  Board,  J.  S.  Taylor. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  asking  pay  for  wet  entries,  the 
use  of  label  goods,  turning  straight  neck  rooms,  turning  rooms, 
together  with  the  adoption  of  a constitution  to  govern  the 
sub-district. 

On  the  retirement  of  President  Sullivan  the  convention 
eulogized  his  work  as  follows : 

Whereas,  Our  retiring  sub-district  president,  D.  H.  Sulli- 
van, has  by  his  untiring  zeal  and  energy,  been  instrumental 


618 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


in  advancing  the  interest  and  welfare  of  the  organization  in 
this  sub-district;  and 

Whereas,  He  has  in  all  particulars  discharged  his  duties 
without  fear  or  favor ; and 

Whereas,  He  has  been  successful  in  bringing  to  a speedy 
termination  differences  existing  between  certain  operators 
and  miners  of  this  sub-district ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  upon  his  retiring  from  the  office  of  presi- 
dent of  this  sub-district  we  extend  to  him  our  heartfelt  con- 
gratulations as  a souvenir  of  our  esteem  for  him  as  an  officer. 

Unanimously  concurred  in. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  DISTRICT  19. 

McHenry,  Kentucky,  January  6,  1899. 

Resolved,  That  the  chain  machine  operators  and  miners 
of  the  Central  Kentucky  district  jointly  agree  that  3%  cents 
per  ton  shall  be  the  price  paid  for  bradding  of  coal,  taking 
up  of  bottom  and  removing  dust,  from  the  16th  day  of  Janu- 
ary, 1899,  until  March  31,  1899,  with  the  understanding  that 
another  joint  conference  shall  be  held  to  agree  upon  a new  scale 
of  prices  not  later  than  February  13,  1899.  And  it  is  further 
agreed  that  not  more  than  eight  inches  of  bottom  coal  shall  be 
left  to  be  taken  up.  And  for  every  inch  of  bottom  over  eight 
inches  the  miner  to  get  of  a cent  per  ton  extra  for  every 
inch.  The  bank  boss  and  machine  boss  to  hold  the  cutting 
down  as  close  to  the  bottom  as  possible. 

Signed  on  part  of  miners: 

J.  H.  Doss,  President, 

J.  B.  Bender,  Vice-President. 

J.  R.  Jeffrey,  Member  Executive  Board, 

Chris.  Evans,  Representative,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 
Signed  on  part  of  operators : 

W.  G.  Duncan, 

H.  Davies, 

.(By  Simon  Jones.) 

In  justice  to  President  Doss  it  should  be  said  that  our 
confidence  in  his  capacity  to  act  as  an  official  for  the  mine 
workers  was  badly  shaken,  when  on  returning  to  Central  City, 
where  he  found  some  opposition,  he  told  the  miners  that  he 
had  taken  no  part  in  the  agreement  made. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


TENTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  DISTRICT  6. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  January  5,  1899. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Wm.  E. 
Farms. 

President  Farms  congratulated  the  delegates  on  the  large 
attendance  present,  and  hoped  that  they  would  give  strict  at- 
tention to  business,  and  discuss  the  questions  before  the  con- 
vention in  a friendly  spirit,  and  at  the  same  time  enjoy  them- 
selves while  in  attendance  at  the  convention. 

He  then  introduced  Rev.  F.  M.  Swinehart,  pastor  of  Wes- 
ley Chapel,  who,  pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  consti- 
tution of  District  No.  6,  opened  the  convention  with  a fervent 
prayer.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayer  Rev.  Swinehart  was 
called  upon  and  spoke  at  length  on  the  importance  of  the  work 
before  the  convention,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  it  would  re- 
sult in  the  greatest  good  to  the  mass  and  to  those  who  are 
represented  in  this  convention.  He  realized  the  importance 
of  labor,  for  on  it  depended  the  welfare  of  not  only  the  labor- 
ers themselves,  but  the  community  at  large.  He  extended 
to  the  delegates  a cordial  welcome  to  the  city,  and  hoped  that 
their  stay  while  here  would  be  of  a pleasant  nature. 

The  Committee  on  Credentials  read  their  report  to  the  con- 
vention. The  following  is  a list  of  delegates  reported : 
Thomas  Cole,  W.  E.  Farms,  Robert  Tracy,  T.  L.  Lewis,  W.  H. 
Haskins,  D.  H.  Sullivan,  Robert  Legg,  J.  J.  Mossop,  Jonathan 
Longbottom,  George  H.  Hall,  William  Simmons,  W.  C.  Scott, 
-C.  L.  Stevenson,  Harry  M.  West,  William  Richards,  Albert  J. 
Krier,  Aurellius  Howard,  Michael  Currans,  Charles  R.  Mc- 
Millan, Wiley  Jewell,  Joseph  Sewell,  Charles  Bailey,  Samuel 
Witts,  Robert  Treherne,  Patrick  Loper,  I.  N.  Coleman,  Angelo 
Mallatt,  G.  W.  Savage,  Charles  Wells,  Thomas  Hardy,  Frank 
C.  Collard,  Harry  E.  Elliott,  S.  H.  Wilson,  W.  M.  Caggill, 
Ishum  Millhuff,  H.  A.  Fanning,  Daniel  Bateman,  George  Mor- 
gan, W.  T.  Evans,  William  Smith,  P.  F.  Dickerhoff,  J.  Frazier, 
John  Jenkins,  John  Wilson,  Abel  Armitage,  Jesse  T.  Walton, 
Morgan  Lewis,  William  Morgan,  John  B.  Blackston,  W.  H. 


(619) 


620 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Werker,  Albert  Thorpe,  William  Fennell,  John  Thomas,  E,  S. 
McCullough,  James  McKee,  Oliver  Channel,  Watkin  Watkins, 
H.  F.  Jackson,  W.  J.  Sheehan,  Thomas  L.  Richards,  Wilford 
Henry,  Edward  Sweeney,  Elmer  Applegarth,  F,  W.  Quayle, 
John  H.  Stevenson,  Thomas  Cairns,  Samuel  Baysinger,  Fred 
Rhodes,  Michael  Collins. 

Motion  that  the  partial  report  of  the  credential  committee 
be  adopted,  delegates  seated  and  committee  continued.  Car- 
ried. 

The  convention  took  a recess  for  one-half  hour  to  give  the 
president  time  to  appoint  committees. 

Convention  called  to  order,  and  President  Farms  announced 
the  following  committees : 

Order  of  Business — William  T.  Evans,  W.  H.  Werker, 
Frank  C.  Collard,  Morgan  Lewis,  David  W.  Watkins.  Griev- 
ances— Charles  Wells,  Thomas  Cole,  William  Smith,  Edward 
Sweeney,  Thomas  Hardy.  Resolutions — Wm.  Richards,  James 
McKee,  Elza  McCullough,  Mike  Curran,  William  Morgan. 
Constitution — John  H.  Thomas,  Mike  Collins,  Albert  Thorpe, 
Dennis  Sullivan,  G.  Savage.  Officers’  Reports — J.  J.  Mossop, 
John  Jenkins,  H.  A.  Banning,  John  Wilson,  John  B.  Black- 
son. 

The  convention  took  a recess  until  2 p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Farms. 

Committee  on  Credentials  submitted  a supplementary  re- 
port, as  folows:  George  Bishop,  William  Robinson,  John 

Hood,  T.  J.  Martin,  George  Cecil,  Alexander  Ramage,  W.  C. 
Fisher. 

Chas.  L.  Kimes, 

I.  N.  Coleman, 

John  J.  Mossop, 

Committee  on  Credentials. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted. 

Committee  on  rules  of  order  reported  that  the  convention 
convene  at  8 :30  a.  ni.,  adjourn  at  12  noon,  reassemble  at  1 :30 
and  adjourn  at  4.30  p.  m. 

The  time  for  each  speaker  was  limited  to  five  minutes. 


Ohio  10th  Annual  Convention,  1899 


621 


To  speak  only  once  until  all  others  who  wished  has  been 
heard,  and  then  not  more  than  twice  without  consent  of  con- 
vention. Cushing’s  Manual  was  to  govern  all  parliamentary 
questions  during  the  proceedings. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted. 

President  Farms  then  delivered  his  annual  address.  The 
report  of  President  Farms  contained  a resume  of  the  benefits 
brought  about  through  the  joint  movement  at  Chicago,  the 
good  effect  it  had  in  the  making  of  a day  wage  scale  and  ma- 
chine mining  for  Ohio  and  the  Pittsburg  district  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, together  with  suggestions  on  urging  legislation  favor- 
able to  the  weighing  of  coal  before  being  screened.  He  said 
the  organization  was  in  a most  flourishing  condition  both 
numerically  and  financially.  Closing  with  his  thanks  to  the 
miners  for  assistance  rendered  and  confidence  bestowed  dur- 
ing his  two  years’  service  in  their  interest. 

Vice-President  Haskins  rendered  a verbal  report  in  which 
he  said  the  organization  was  much  stronger  and  that  the  Chi- 
cago agreement  had  given  the  United  Mine  Workers  a chance 
to  build  up  the  organization.  He  also  said  after  referring  to 
the  120  days  he  had  worked  as  Vice-President  during  the 
year,  “I  believe  that  if  there  is  no  work  for  a Vice-President, 
we  should  not  elect  one.”  Closing  his  statement  with  thanks 
to  one  and  all  for  the  honor  conferred  upon  him. 

SECRETARY  LEWIS’S  REPORT.  __ 

Fellow  Delegates : It  is  with  pleasure  and  a great  measure 
of  self-satisfaction  that  I submit  my  report  as  secretary- 
treasurer  of  District  6. 

This  report,  though  necessarily  brief,  includes  the  vital 
principles  of  our  organization. 

When  first  you  honored  me  with  this  trust,  we  had,  ap- 
proximately 7,000  members  in  our  organization  in  Ohio,  and 
an  indebtedness  of  nearly  $700.  Now  I am  more  than  pleased 
to  report  that  the  enrolled  membership  will  approximate  16,- 
000,  the  largest  in  the  history  of  the  state  organization,  with 
all  debts  paid  and  a balance  in  the  treasury,  the  beginning  of 
the  year,  of  $1,699.57,  a detailed  statement  of  which  is  at- 
tached hereto,  and  printed,  and  will  be  distributed  among  the 
delegates  to  this  convention,  and  sent  to  all  local  unions  in 
Ohio. 

In  view  of  the  lack  of  work  among  the  miners  of  Ohio 


622 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


during  the  past  year,  this  result  is  very  flattering  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  organization  and  to  your  officials.  This  emphasizes 
the  fact  that  Ohio  is  at  present,  as  it  has  always  been  in  the 
past,  a tower  of  strength,  not  only  to  the  miners  of  Ohio,  but 
to  the  cause  of  organized  labor  in  the  United  States. 

Owing  to  uniform  courtesies  extended  to  me  by  the  mem- 
bers of  our  organization  and  my  fellow  officials,  the  routine 
work  of  my  office  has  been  most  pleasant,  although  involving 
an  extraordinary  amount  of  labor. 

The  duties  of  my  office,  however,  have  not  prevented  me 
from  doing  whatever  I could  to  further  the  interests  of  the 
organization  outside  of  the  strict  line  of  my  official  work. 

Indications  and  rumors  point  to  a situation  in  the  near 
future  that  will  test  the  sincerity  and  staying  qualities  of 
every  member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers.  In  this  emer- 
gency, I hope,  and  believe,  that  Ohio  will  act  as  a unit.  The 
general  discussion  of  the  present  condition  of  our  organiza- 
tion, together  with  recommendations  for  its  future  policy, 
rests  with  my  fellow  officials,  and  I hesitate  to  introduce 
personal  opinions  along  those  lines  at  this  time. 

The  Secretary  closed  his  financial  report  as  follows: 

SUMMARY. 

Cash  on  hand  July  1,  1898,  $701.69 ; receipts  for  six  months 
ending  December  31,  1898,  $3,423.42;  total,  $4,125.11. 

Expenditures — ^Relief  for  miners,  $150.00;  miscellaneous, 
$322.66;  to  salaries  and  expenses,  $1,952.88;  total,  $2,425.54. 

Balance  cash  on  hand  December  31,  1898,  $1,699.57. 

With  sincere  thanks  to  the  members  of  our  organization 
for  the  many  courtesies  extended  to  me  during  the  past  year, 
and  with  the  hope  that  our  organization  will  continue  to 
flourish  and  be  a power  to  advance  the  interest  of  the  miners 
of  Ohio  and  other  states,  I remain. 

Fraternally  yours, 

T.  L.  Lewis,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

AUDITORS’  REPORT. 

We,  your  auditing  committee,  have  met  in  accordance  with 
the  constitution  and  after  a careful  examination  of  all  the 
books,  receipts  and  vouchers,  we  find  them  properly  kept  and 
correct,  and  desire  to  submit  the  following  report: 

Balance  on  hand  Julv  1,  1898,  $701.69;  receipts  for  six 
months,  $3,423.42 ; total,  $4,125.11. 

Expenses — Officers’  salaries  and  expenses,  $1,£62.88;  in- 
cidental, $322.66;  relief  of  miners,  $150.00;  total,  $2,425.54. 


Ohio  10th  Annual  Convention,  1899 


623 


Balance  cash  on  hand  December  31,  1898,  $1,699.57. 

We  certify  that  the  Secretary-Treasurer  presented  drafts 
and  certified  checks  on  banks  for  the  full  amount  of  $1,699.57. 

Chas.  L.  Kimes, 

I.  N.  Coleman, 

J.  J.  MOSSOP, 

Auditing  Committee. 

Officers  elected  follow : President,  W.  H.  Haskins. 

On  being  called  for  remarks  the  president-elect  said  he 
would  endeavor  to  keep  the  organization  in  as  good  condition 
as  he  found  it,  and  thanked  the  members  for  the  honor  con- 
ferred. 

The  folowing  telegram  was  read : 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  January  5,  1899. 

Hearty  congratulations  to  the  Ohio  organization,  and  best 
wishes  for  the  ensuing  year. 

W.  C.  Pearce. 

Time  having  arrived,  a recess  was  taken  until  Friday. 

MORNING  SESSION — JANUARY  6TH  1899. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President-elect  W.  H.  Has- 
kins. 

Election  of  officers  was  continued  when  D.  H.  Sullivan  was 
elected  Vice-President  and  T.  L.  Lewis,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Farms. 

The  following  auditors  were  then  elected : W.  T.  Evans, 
G.  Savage,  S.  H.  Wilson. 

After  statements  made  by  delegates  on  the  situation,  the 
convention  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION — JANUARY  7,  1899. 

After  the  convention  was  called  to  order  it  was  agreed  to 
go  into  executive  session  to  hear  report  of  Committee  on 
Transportation. 

The  convention  then  resumed  business  in  open  sessions. 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  Resolutions  was  read  and 
adopted  as  follows: 


624 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  this  convention  does  pledge  itself  in  the 
support  of  union  label  goods,  and  encourage  the  employment 
of  union  men  in  all  branches  of  industry. 

That  the  delegates  from  the  State  of  Ohio  to  the  national 
convention  are  hereby  instructed  to  use  their  best  endeavors 
to  get  an  advance  of  10  cents  per  ton  and  make  the  run  of  mine 
system  universal  through  the  competing  field. 

That  district  6,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 
in  annual  convention  assembled,  hereby  directs  its  president 
and  secretary  to  notify  the  national  secretary,  W.  C.  Pearce, 
that  it  is  our  desire,  as  it  should  be  his  duty,  to  have  all  mat- 
ters of  record  in  his  office  -within  convenient  reach  of  the  na- 
tional convention  during  its  session. 

That  this  convention  adopt  a rule  prohibiting  working 
days  other  than  regular  workdays. 

That  the  representatives  of  the  Ohio  miners  demand  a uni- 
form rent  of  not  more  than  $1  per  month  per  room. 

That  five  delegates  at  large  be  elected  at  this  convention  to 
attend  the  national  convention.  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica at  Pittsburg,  on  January  9,  1899,  and  also  to  attend  the 
joint  meeting  of  miners  and  operators  to  be  held  in  the  above 
city,  following  the  national  convention. 

Wm.  Richards, 

James  McKee, 

Wm.  Morgan, 

Michael  Collins, 

E.  S.  McCullough, 

Committee  on  Resolutions. 

The  next  order  of  business  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Constitution. 

After  reading  the  report,  moved  that  the  report  be  taken 
up  and  acted  on  seriatim.  Carried. 

Constitutional  amendments  made: 

Article  4,  Section  3,  to  read  as  follows:  “All  credentials 

shall  be  sent  to  the  District  Secretary-Treasurer  three  days 
before  the  annual  convention  and  the  auditing  committee  shall 
examine  same  two  days  prior  to  convention  in  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  locals  in  arrears  two  months,  or  sixty  days,  will  not  be 
allowed  representation  and  no  delegate  -will  be  allowed  a seat 
or  vote  whose  local  has  not  complied  with  all  the  provisions  of 
this  section.” 

Add  to  Section  4,  Article  5,  the  following : “And  in  no  case 
shall  this  section  interfere  with  Section  3,  Article  4.” 


Ohio  10th  Annual  Convention,  1899 


625 


Section  4,  Article  3,  add  after  the  word  “removal” : “The 
President  of  each  sub-district  shall  have  the  right  to  organ- 
ize locals  in  their  respective  districts.” 

Change  Article  4,  Section  1,  to  read  as  follows : “The  regu- 
lar annual  convention  of  District  6 shall  be  held  in  the  city 
of  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  convene  at  9 o’clock  a.  m.,  on  Tuesday 
preceding  the  regular  national  convention  in  each  year.” 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Farms. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Constitution.  Amendments 
adopted : 

Article  9,  Section  8 ;•  “All  sub-district  and  local  secretaries 
and  treasurers  shall  furnish  bond  in  such  amount  as  the  re- 
spective sub-districts  and  local  unions  may  require.  When 
such  bond  is  given,  officers  shall  receive  compensation  for 
their  service.” 

Section  3,  Article  4 : Change  word  three  to  five  in  second 

line. 

Section  9,  Article  9 : “No  member  of  this  district  shall  be 
eligible  to  be  a candidate  for  more  than  one  office  at  one  time 
in  the  district.” 

“That  any  local  in  District  6,  wishing  to  be  represented  by 
proxy,  shall  be  represented  by  a delegate  of  their  own  sub- 
district.” 

Article  3,  Section  5:  Change  the  words  one  thousand  to 

two  thousand  in  the  eleventh  line. 

J.  H.  Thomas, 

Albert  Thorpe, 
Michael  Collins, 

G.  Savage, 

D.  H.  Sullivan, 

Committee. 

The  next  order  of  business  was  the  announcements  of 
board  members  selected  by  the  various  sub-districts. 

Sub-district  No.  1,  M.  Collins,  Congo;  Sub-district  No.  2, 
Wm.  Meadows,  Wellston;  Sub-district  No.  3,  J.  H.  Thomas, 
Rhodes;  Sub-district  No.  4,  Albert  Thorpe,  East  Palestine; 


626 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sub-district  No.  5,  W.  H.  Werker,  Mineral  Point;  Sub-district 
No.  6,  J.  S.  Taylor,  Pleasant  City. 

Motion,  that  the  selection  of  board  members  be  ratified 
by  this  convention.  Adopted. 

The  following  were  elected  delegates-at-large  by  the  dis- 
trict convention  to  attend  the  Pittsburg  national  convention, 
January  9,  1899 : John  McBride,  Wm.  T.  Lewis,  Albert 

Thorpe,  Michael  Collins,  Patrick  Loper.  The  three  latter 
names  had  been  reported  as  delegates  to  the  district  conven- 
tion. 

Resolved,  That  a rising  vote  of  thanks  be  tendered  to  Rev. 
Swinehart  for  officiating  at  the  opening  of  the  convention. 

Adopted  unanimously. 

Whereas,  Governor  John  H.  Tanner,  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, has  taken  an  advanced  step  in  the  interest  of  humanity 
in  the  protection  furnished  the  striking  miners  of  Virden; 
therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  miners  of  District  6,  of  Ohio,  in 
convention  assembled,  do  most  heartily  commend  his  action 
and  recommend  his  example  to  the  executives  of  other  states, 
under  like  circumstances. 

Moved  that  a copy  of  the  resolutions  be  sent  to  Governor 
Tanner  and  also  to  become  a part  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
convention.  Adopted. 

J.  J.  Mossop  was  declared  the  choice  of  the  Ohio  delega- 
tion for  National  auditor. 

Motion,  that  we,  the  miners  of  District  6,  Ohio,  do  hereby 
heartily  endorse  T.  L.  Lewis  for  National  President. 

Motion  to  table  the  above  motion  was  lost. 

Motion  to  endorse  adopted — Ayes,  33 ; noes,  13. 

Motion  we  tender  Brother  Farms  a vote  of  thanks  for  his 
valuable  services  for  the  past  two  years.  Adopted  unani- 
mously. 

Convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

TENTH  NATIONAL  ANNUAL  CONVENTION. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Jan.  9,  1899. 

The  tenth  annual  convention  of  the  United  IMine  Workers 
of  America  was  called  to  order  at  10  a.  m.  by  President  Ratch- 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


627 


ford.  After  a few  remarks  by  the  chair,  Secretary  Pearce 
read  the  circular  call  to  the  delegates  present.  The  committee 
on  credentials  appointed  was  called  upon  to  make  their  re- 
port. P.  J.  Keenan,  a member  of  this  committee,  made  a brief 
statement,  and  said  they  were  not  ready,  and  requested  more 
time.  Delegate  Dolan  moved  that  a committee  on  credentials 
be  elected  by  the  convention,  and  that  each  district  select  their 
own  member  of  this  committee. 

The  chair  ruled  this  motion  out  of  order. 

An  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  chair  was  taken  by 
Patrick  Dolan  and  seconded  by  T.  L.  Lewis. 

President  Ratchford  called  W.  R.  Fairley  to  the  chair.  Re- 
marks were  made  by  Dolan,  Lewis,  President  Ratchford  and 
others,  after  which  a vote  was  taken  on  the  appeal.  A divi- 
sion of  the  house  was  taken  and  the  vote  stood  207  against 
121,  the  chair  being  sustained  by  a majority  of  86. 

Motion,  that  all  delegates  who  had  credentials  give  them 
to  the  committee.  Adopted. 

Motion,  that  the  committee  on  credentials  be  increased 
so  that  one  from  each  district,  selected  by  the  district,  be  added 
to  the  present  committee. 

After  discussion  by  many  of  the  delegates,  the  previous 
question  was  put  before  the  convention  and  lost. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

TUESDAY  MORNING. 

President  Ratchford  in  the  chair. 

The  first  order  of  business  was  the  further  report  of  the 
committee  on  credentials.  The  report  was  read  by  the  com- 
mittee/ but  was  not  complete. 

Motion,  that  the  report  be  received  and  the  committee  re- 
tained. 

Amendment:  That  a committee  from  each  district  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  delegates  from  their  respective  districts  to  go 
over  the  report  with  the  book  and  the  credential  committee, 
already  apointed,  to  ascertain  if  the  report  is  correct. 
Adopted. 

Committee  selected : ’ 

District  5,  Wm.  Dodds;  District  1,  John  Fahy;  District  7, 


628 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


A.  Slowitzky;  District  6,  T.  L.  Lewis;  District  11,  J.  J.  Eddy; 
District  8,  P.  D.  Roberts;  District  12,  Jacob  Stanley;  Dis- 
trict 13,  J.  F.  Ream ; Districts  14  and  21,  A.  Struble ; District 
19,  W.  C.  Webb;  District  23,  T.  R.  Jeffries;  District  20,  Ala- 
bama, W.  R.  Fairley;  District  17,  J.  M.  Smith. 

Convention  adjourned. 

TUESDAY  AFTERNOON. 

Convention  called. to  order  at  2:30  p.  m..  President  Ratch- 
ford  in  the  chair,  who  stated  that  the  order  of  busines  was  ad- 
dresses by  the  representatives  of  the  Labor  League  of 
western  Pennsylvania,  and  introduced  Executive  Board  Mem- 
ber Grundy  and  President  Klinger.  After  these  gentlemen 
had  concluded  their  addresses,  Mr.  Dolan  offered  the  following : 
That  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  return  sincere 
thanks  to  the  United  Labor  League  for  assistance  rendered 
the  mine  workers  at  various  times,  and  that  the  same  acknowl- 
edgment be  tendered  the  speakers. 

Representative  Fisher,  of  the  Tobacco  Workers’  Union, 
was  granted  the  floor  and  urged  the  mine  workers  to  patronize 
union  label  tobacco. 

Moved  that  the  delegates  to  this  convention  pledge  them- 
selves to  use  nothing  but  union  tobacco. 

John  H.  Murray,  of  the  Boot  and  Shoe  Workers’  Organ- 
ization, addressed  the  convention  on  behalf  of  the  striking 
shoe  workers  of  Marlboro,  Mass.,  who  are  on  strike,  the 
speaker  urging  that  the  label  of  the  shoemakers  be  patronized 
and  that  any  aid  given  them  would  be  thankfully  received. 

Stewart  Reed,  organizer  of  the  International  Association 
of  Machinists,  addressed  the  convention,  speaking  of  the 
benefits  of  organization. 

A communication  from  Mrs.  E.  Cecille  Cavendish  was  read, 
bringing  to  the  attention  of  the  convention  her  book,  entitled 
“Popular  Opinion,”  and  explaining  her  proffer  of  10  per  cent 
of  the  profits  to  establish  a Mamma  Relief  Fund. 

A Mr.  Morgan  appeared  before  the  convention  to  invite 
the  delegates  to  attend  a couple  of  meetings  to  be  addressed 
by  a socialist  speaker  called  Mr.  Hickey. 

The  chair  announced  that  in  order  to  facilitate  the  work  of 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


629 


the  convention  and  be  ready  to  proceed  to  business  after  the 
reports  of  the  credentials  and  investigating  committees  were 
submitted  and  acted  upon,  he  thought  that  it  would  be  proper 
to  appoint  a committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business,  and  an- 
nounced the  following  as  the  committee:  William  Warner, 

Pennsylvania;  W.  C.  Scott,  Ohio;  Joseph  Pope,  Illinois. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Motion,  that  we  adjourn  until  2 o’clock,  and  that  the 
investigating  committee  be  requested  to  appear  at  the  con- 
vention. 

Carried. 

WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON. 

Meeting  called  to  order  at  2 p.  m. 

Report  of  investigating  committee.  Secretary  Fahy  pro- 
ceeded to  read  it  as  far  as  completed.  After  some  discussion 
the  following  resolution  was  offered : 

Resolved,  That  we  give  this  committee  appointed  by  this 
convention  until  tomorow  morning  at  9 o’clock  to  report,  and 
that  their  investigation  be  confined  to  the  matter  of  creden- 
tials, and  if  further  investigation  be  found  necessary,  said 
investigation  shall  be  made  in  its  proper  order  and  be  brought 
before  this  convention  as  prescribed  by  our  constitution. 

Carried. 

On  motion  convention  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  9 a.  m.  by  Acting  President 
Mitchell,  who  said  that  the  order  of  business  was  the  report 
of  the  investigating  committee.  W.  R.  Fairley,  a member  of 
the  committee  who  was  present,  stated  that  the  committee 
requested  an  extension  of  time,  and  that  they  would  be  ready 
to  report  at  11  o’clock.  On  motion  the  time  was  extended. 

THURSDAY  AFTERNOON. 

Meeting  called  to  order  at  1 p.  m.  by  President  Ratchford. 

The  chair  then  announced  that  the  international  president 
and  other  members  of  the  International  Typographical  Union 
were  present,  and  according  to  a resolution  previously  passed 


630 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


would  be  extended  the  courtesies  of  the  convention.  He  then 
introduced  President  Donnelly,  who  addressed  the  conven- 
tion, and  concluded  by  reviewing  conditions  in  the  city  of 
Pittsburg.  Other  members,  being  called  upon,  stated  that 
inasmuch  as  the  matter  had  been  stated  by  the  president  they 
would  not  take  up  the  time  of  the  convention.  After  some 
discussion  the  following  was  introduced: 

Whereas,  The  Allied  Printing  Trades  of  Pittsburg  and 
vicinity  are  at  present  engaged  in  a struggle  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a shorter  workday ; and 

Whereas,  A number  of  printing  firms  in  Pittsburg,  not- 
ably Murdock,  Kerr  & Co.,  Wm.  G.  Johnston  & Co.,  Myers, 
Shinkle  & Co.,  and  Shaw  Bros.,  members  of  the  United  Typo- 
thetae  of  America  (employing  printers),  have  refused  to 
grant  this  reasonable  request,  and  have  thereby  violated  a 
solemn  agreement  entered  into  at  Syracuse  last  October  be- 
tween the  United  Typothetae  of  America,  the  International 
Typographical  Union,  the  International  Printing  Pressmen 
and  Assistants’  Union,  and  the  International  Brotherhood  of 
Bookbinders ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in 
convention  assembled  hereby  heartily  indorse  the  action  of  said 
Allied  Printing  Trades  in  their  effort  to  better  the  condition 
of  their  fellow  craftsmen ; and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  hereby  pledge  ourselves  to  demand  the 
union  label  on  all  our  official  printing,  and  urge  upon  the  in- 
dividual members  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  to 
have  the  union  label  on  whatever  printing  they  may  have 
done;  and  they  are  especially  enjoined  to  request  all  firms 
with  whom  they  do  business  to  demand  the  union  label  on 
their  printing. 

. Carried. 

The  investigating  committee  was  then  called  upon,  and 
Secretary  Fahy  of  the  committee,  read  the  report,  after  which 
Delegate  Hunter  moved  that  it  is  the  sense  of  this  conven- 
tion that  we  accept  the  report  of  the  investigation  committee 
and  seat  the  eighteen  disputed  delegates,  and  that  the  commit- 
tee be  continued  for  further  investigation  and  correction. 
Carried. 

The  report  showed  the  following  representation: 

West  Virginia — Joseph  M.  Smith,  H.  Stephenson,  F.  G. 
Stanley  and  M.  Stanley. 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


631 


Illinois — S.  M.  Powers,  L.  G.  Crane,  E.  Zellers,  John  Mil- 
ler, P.  H.  Straughn,  Samuel  Pascoe,  E.  D.  Jameson,  G.  G. 
Cravens,  E.  Pranke,  John  Boyle,  Fred  Spires,  Samuel  Palmer, 
George  Sturman,  P.  McCall,  L.  T. 'Jones,  George  Hild,  James 
Beattie,  S.  G.  Dodson,  Thomas  J.  Reynolds,  Wm.  Green,  Lewis 
Drew,  Jos.  J.  Novak,  Patrick  Martin,  James  Hickey,  David 
Huggins,  F.  C.  Dorris,  Charles  Henniman,  Thomas  Burke, 
Peter  Stephenson,  P.  J.  Keenan,  A.  McWhinnie,  James  Max- 
well, Henry  Seibert,  John  H.  Brown,  Tim  Downey,  Frank 
Ehrett,  William  Topham,  Evan  Evans,  J.  M.  Hunter, 
W.  D.  Ryan,  John  G.  Smith,  W.  E.  McQuitty,  Lawrence  Mor- 
gan, Ed  Murphy,  John  Sandbrook,  H.  Cartwright,  George 
Boyce,  J.  W.  Peters,  H.  W.  Smith,  Martin  Gregins,  Joseph 
Eslick,  Wm.  Monaghan,  John'  McElvaney,  H.  F.  Schultle, 
Samuel  Johnson,  Gilbert  Cochran,  Thomas  B.  Crimmer,  James 
J.  McAndrews,  Charles  Butler,  Thomas  Bell,  Ed  Cranage, 
Arthur  Powell,  J.  D.  Foley,  Charles  Wantling,  Fred  Keller, 
Arthur  Daniels,  J.  McKinney,  John  Wilson,  Michael  McManus, 
James  Beaver,  N.  R.  Russell,  Phillip  Voeterle,  G.  Cochran, 
D.  McDonald,  H.  S.  Bell,  Ben  Jones,  Joseph  Pope,  James  Bos- 
ton, W.  T.  Morris,  L.  J.  Larson,  George  D.  Miller,  Ed  Cahill, 
J.  G.  Furlong,  James  Roe,  A.  J.*  Rasper,  James  Dunn,  Morris 
Smith,  Thomas  Lodder,  Wm.  Knowlman,  David  Youks, 
Samuel  Airnsworth,  G.  R.  McVey,  Wm.  Hefti,  John  Green, 
Alex  Suttle,  J.  B.  Milium,  George  Kakara,  Jacob  Stanley,  Ben 
King,  Ed  Lafferty,  D.  Higgins,  John  Shannahan,  John  H. 
Brown,  James  Beese,  John  Heap,  W.  R.  Russell,  John  Pur- 
son,  Wm.  Pearce,  George  Motteshaw,  Thomas  Gallagher,  Jesse 
Baruw,  W.  T.  Morris,  M.  Smith,  J.  M.  Hunter,  Wm.  Shears, 
William  Turner,  Robert  Simpson,  William  Macha,  Jessie 
Brown,  James  Ward,  S.  Liddicott,  B.  Behring,  Fred  Drew, 
John  Caldwell,  Wm.  Irvin,  G.  Schurch,  L.  Doney,  David  Dagon, 
P.  Dearmond,  H.  A.  Geddes,  Alex.  Oyes,  W.  Knollman,  Joseph 
Manuel,  James  Murphy. 

Ohio — George  Morgan,  John  J.  Mossop,  T.  M.  Davis,  F. 
Dilcher,  F.  Powell,  Samuel  Witts,  George  W.  Hall,  C.  E.  Wells, 
W.  T.  Evans,  Wm.  Smith,  Joseph  Sewell,  Alex.  Ramage,  W.  C. 
Pearce,  Fred  Rhodes,  W.  H.  Crawford,  W.  H.  Haskins,  George 
Patterson,  W.  Jewell,  Aljel  Armitage,  T.  L.  Lewis,  T.  W.  Davis, 


632 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Wm.  Fennell,  Thomas  Hardy,  John  Thomas,  Thomas  Caimes, 
Albert  Thorpe,  Abram  Porter,  Hiram  Fanning,  Wm.  Robin- 
son, Patrick  Loper,  D.  S.  Richards,  Thomas  Haines,  Phillip 
Lloyd,  J.  J.  Walton,  Joseph  Shooter,  James  McKee,  J.  B.  Black- 
son,  S.  H.  Wilson,  John  A.  Smith,  C.  A.  Stevenson,  Wm.  Rich- 
ards, H.  Elliott,  Michael  Currans,  Robert  Legg,  Wm.  Simonds, 
Edwin  P.  Miller,  W.  T.  Lewis,  Charles  Bailey,  H.  J.  Jackson, 
J.  H.  Thomas,  John  Jenkins,  Jonathan  Longbottom,  S.  P.  Cu- 
sick,  W.  Henry,  E.  S.  McColloch,  T.  L.  Richards,  H.  Williams, 
Edward  Sweeney,  F.  W.  Quayle,  Thomas  Cole,  W.  Watkins, 
J.  H.  Frazee,  E.  Applegarth,  G.  Savage,  J.  G.  Richards,  George 
Bishop,  W.  T.  Evans,  Thomas  Thornton,  George  Cecil,  W.  C. 
Scott,  J.  H.  Kerby,  John  McBride,  D.  H.  Sullivan,  W.  C. 
Fischer,  Samuel  Baysinger,  .William  Morgan,  M.  Collins, 
D.  Watkins,  Angelo  Malett. 

Pennsylvania — John  Shepherd,  H.  O’Neal,  James  Watch- 
orn,  John  Eckery,  Patrick  Dolan,  Robert  McKenna,  Robert 
Winning,  Harry  Wise,  Wm.  Warner,  John  Fahy,  Elijah  Wat- 
kins, Patrick  Maloney,  John  McGoldridge,  Wm.  Frew,  S.  A. 
Baker,  Christopher  Marshbank,  Ed.  McKay,  Robert  Johnson, 
Louis  Gouziou,  Samuel  Gaskill,  L.  H,  Johnson,  Ed.  Soppitt, 
Benjamin  James,  A.  Slowitsky,  H.  B.  Stamper,  Henry  Karr, 
Charles  Doernte,  John  E.  Harrison,  James  Plaster,  Charles 
Tickhill,  Charles  E.  Wallace,  John  McGinty,  Thomas  Carroll, 
P.  J.  Hunt,  Louis  Jones,  Harry  Walker,  Robert  Curley,  G.  H. 
Thomas,  Chris  Schmids,  Adam  Simons,  Samuel  Schultz. 
George  Eckman,  Michael  Rice,  Thomas  Duffy,  Wm.  Dodds, 

D.  J.  Conley,  Matthew  Carrigan,  Walter  Calverly,  John  P. 
Ferry,  *Frank  McKay,  Miles  Daugherty,  James  Russell, 
Thomas  Kavenaugh,  Thomas  Chataway,  Henry  Lennex,  John 
Hurley,  Joseph  McGill,  Thomas  F.  Allsop,  George  Rigby, 
Charles  Smith. 

Indiana — Thomas  J.  Lee,  James  Cantwell,  Barney  Navin, 

E.  Dixon,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Dan  McKillop,  John  Hayes,  A.  B. 
Keller,  Wm.  Thompson,  P.  D.  Roberts,  Phillip  Collins,  T.  J. 
Roberts,  G.  W.  Purcell,  Mark  Roberts,  E.  Atkinson,  W.  D. 
Van  Horn,  Thomas  Murdock,  T.  E.  Newcomb,  C.  Spinks, 
Samuel  Boskell,  M.  T.  Collins,  H.  Hargroves,  Joseph  Hines, 
Elmer  Tannehill,  James  McKinney,  James  T.  Jones,  Wm. 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


633 


Tipton,  Thomas  J.  Lee,  E.  G.  Lewis,  J.  M.  Wheeler,  Ed  Stew- 
ert,  Joseph  Edwards,  Jeff  Lee,  John  Eddy,  John  O’Rourke. 

Iowa — J.  W.  Reynolds,  John  Barrow,  John  F.  Ream,  J. 
P.  Reese. 

Kentucky — John  B.  Render,  Thomas  R.  Jeffries,  J.  M. 
Lewis,  J.  H.  Wood,  W.  C.  Webb. 

Alabama — F.  P.  Bishop,  W.  R.  Fairley,  Joseph  Holliver, 
Frank  Fourier,  Thomas  Belch. 

Indian  Territory — W.  R.  Howe,  James  Rowe. 

Arkansas — James  Haines,  A1  Struble. 

Kansas — A.  Connery. 

Tennessee — John  Anderegg,  S.  F.  Broughton. 

The  report  was  received  and  the  committee  on  rules  re- 
ported that  the  convention  should  be  called  to  order  at  9:30 
a.  m.,  adjourn  at  12  noon,  re-convene  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  ad- 
journ at  5,  and  that  the  convention  proceedings  should  be 
governed  by  Cushing’s  Manual. 

The  order  of  business  made  it  necessary  for  the  various 
committees  to  report  in  order  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

FRIDAY  MORNING  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  President  Ratchford  in 
the  chair. 

The  secretary  then  read  a list  of  candidates  for  office,  and 
the  chair  announced  that  all  delegates  should  vote  for  six 
members  of  the  National  Executive  Board,  and  four  candidates 
for  delegates  to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  conven- 
tion. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings  President  Ratchford,  Act- 
ing President  Mitchell,  and  Secretary-Treasurer  Pearce’s  re- 
ports were  read  to  the  convention. 

President  Ratchford’s  report  treated  at  length  the  many 
incidents  that  had  transpired  during  the  nine  months’  term 
he  had  acted  as  president  before  serving  on  the  “United  States 
Industrial  Commission”  to  which  he  had  been  appointed.  A 
position  secured  for  him  largely  through  the  influence  wielded 
by  his  fellow  miners  and  members  of  other  trades  unions  who 
urged  their  claims  and  his  acknowledged  ability  to  serve  on 
such  a commission.  The  president  commenced  his  report  as 
follows : 


634 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


To  the  Delegates  of  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in 

Tenth  Annual  Convention  assembled : 

Comrades  and  Fellow  Workers — In  accordance  with  an  es- 
tablished custom  I now  present  to  you  my  report  covering 
that  period  from  the  adjournment  of  our  last  annual  conven- 
tion to  September  10th  last.  Preceding  it,  however,  permit 
me  on  behalf  of  our  noble  organization  to  congratulate  you 
and  bid  you  a hearty  welcome  to  its  tenth  annual  convention. 

Your  presence  today  in  numbers  far  exceeding  that  of  any 
previous  convention  bears  testimony  in  language  clear  and 
decisive  of  the  earnestness  of  your  purpose,  of  the  work  which 
you  have  so  well  performed  and  of  your  firm  devotion  to  the 
cherished  prinicples  of  trades  unions,  for  all  of  which  you 
deserve  the  praise  and  congratulations  of  the  wage  workers 
of  our  country,  of  every  trade,  class  and  profession.  Your 
actions,  indeed,  in  this  respect  bespeak  not  only  the  purposes 
and  achievements  of  the  past,  but  it  is  also  indicative  of  your 
policy  in  the  future,  it  gives  a warning  unmistakable  that 
the  trades  union  movement  is  as  permanent  as  the  age  itself, 
and  that  it  will  continue  to  develop  in  strength,  power,  and 
influence  until  the  wrongs  which  gave  it  birth  have  been 
properly  and  thoroughly  righted. 

The  year  through  which  we  have  passed  marks  an  epoch  in 
the  history  of  our  organization,  unequaled  in  its  progress  and 
influence  by  that  of  any  previous  year.  The  number  and  ex- 
tent of  strikes  and  disputes  of  all  characters  have  been  greatly 
reduced.  Confidence  in  our  business  methods  has  been  in- 
creased and  has  entered  into  all  the  relations  between  em- 
ployer and  employe.  Force  without  reason,  which  was  once 
the  ruling  factor  in  the  settlement  of  wage  troubles,  is  now 
the  exception,  and  the  more  humane  spirit  of  conciliation  and 
arbitration,  based  upon  principles  of  justice,  has  grown  in 
favor  until  it  has  become  an  almost  universal  rule. 

He  quoted  in  full  the  joint  agreement  entered  into  be- 
tween operators  and  miners  at  Chicago,  January  26,  1898,  that 
gave  the  mine  workers  throughout  the  competitive  field  the 
eight-hour  workday,  commencing  April  1,  1898,  and  ten  cents 
per  ton  advance  on  mining  rates  for  the  coming  year.  The 
Hocking  Valley  operators  refused  to  sign  the  Chicago  agree- 
ment for  a time,  he  said,  because  they  considered  the  prices 
named  that  wiped  out  the  differential  between  the  Hocking 
Valley  and  Pittsburg  thin  vein  district  placed  them  at  a dis- 
advantage when  compared  with  other  portions  of  the  com- 
petitive field.  Through  correspondence,  however,  entered  into 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


635 


between  President  Ratchford  and  Ohio  operators,  the  latter 
signed  the  Chicago  scale  later,  fixing  mining  rates  throughout 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  western  Pennsylvania  for  the  year 
ending  April  1,  1899,  and  the  then  dangerous  apprehensions 
imagined  passed  away  for  another  year.  The  president’s  re- 
port contained  the  uniform  inside  day  wage  scale  of  prices 
adopted  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  March  8-10,  1898,  to  govern  wages 
paid  for  inside  day  labor  at  all  the  mines  represented  at  Chi- 
cago in  accordance  with  a resolution  adopted  at  the  interstate 
joint  conference.  (The  scale  referred  to  follows:) 

INSIDE  DAY  WAGE  SCALE  FROM  APRIL  1,  1898,  TO 
MARCH  31,  1899. 


Tracklayers $1.90 

Tracklayers’  helpers-  1.75 

Trappers  .75 

Bottom  cagers  1.75 

Drivers 1.75 

Trip  riders 1.75 

Water  haulers  1.75 

Timbermen,  where  such  are  employed 1.90 

Pipe  men,  for  compressed  air  plants 1.85 

Company  men  in  long  wall  mines,  third  vein  districts. 

Northern  Illinois  1.75 

All  other  inside  day  labor 1.75 


The  above  scale  was  arrived  at  by  taking  the  average  of 
the  wages  paid  in  all  of  the  competitive  districts  and  reducing 
said  average  to  an  eight-hour  day,  then  adding  the  advance  to 
said  average  to  correspond  with  the  advance  in  the  price  of 
mining  to  be  paid  April  1st  next. 

Resolution  No.  1. — The  above  schedule  of  day  wages  ap- 
plies only  to  men  employed  in  the  performance  of  their  labor, 
and  does  not  apply  to  boys  unless  they  can  do  and  are  em- 
ployed to  do  a man’s  work. 

Resolution  No.  2. — Whereas,  We  have  failed  to  agree  upon 
a uniform  rate  of  wages  for  the  different  classes  of  outside 
labor  for  the  entire  competitive  field,  owing  to  the  variations 
of  conditions  over  which  we  have  no  control ; 

Resolved,  That  the  employing  of  outside  day  laborers 
around  the  mine  and  wages  to  be  paid  the  same  shall  be  left 
entirely  to  the  employers  and  such  employes  in  all  the  competi- 
tive districts,  and  the  question  of  uniform  wages  for  outside 
labor  be  referred  to  our  next  interstate  joint  convention. 

Resolved,  That  wher.e  any  member  of  the  present  force 
of  outside  day  labor  in  the  competitive  field  prefer  to  work  in 
the  mine  in  preference  to  accepting  the  wages  offered  for  their 


636 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


services  as  outside  day  laborers,  they  shall  be  given  places  in 
the  mine  to  mine  coal. 

Resolution  No.  3. — Resolved,  That  an  eight-hour  day  means 
eight  hours’  work  in  the  mine  at  usual,  working  places  for  all 
classes  of  inside  day  labor.  This  shall  be  exclusive  of  the  time 
required  in  reaching  such  working  places  in  the  morning  and 
departing  from  same  at  night.  Regarding  drivers  they  shall 
take  their  mules  to  and  from  the  stables  and  time  in  doing  so 
shall  not  include  any  part  of  the  day’s  labor,  their  work  be- 
ginning when  they  reach  the  change  at  which  they  receive 
empty  cars,  but  in  no  case  a driver’s  time  be  docked  while 
he  is  waiting  for  the  cars  at  the  point  named. 

Resolution  No.  4. — Resolved,  That  when  the  men  go  into 
the  mine  in  the  morning  they  shall  be  entitled  to  two  hours’ 
pay,  whether  or  not  the  mine  works  the  full  two  hours.  But 
after  the  first  two  hours  the  men  shall  be  paid  for  every  hour 
thereafter  by  the  hour  for  each  hour’s  work  or  fractional  part 
thereof.  If  for  any  reason  the  regular  routine  work  cannot 
be  furnished  the  inside  labor  for  a portion  of  the  first  two 
hours,  the  operators  may  furnish  other  than  regular  labor  for 
the  unexpired  time. 

The  above  was  agreed  to  after  the  most  careful  discussion 
of  each  item,  and  we  believe  it  to  be  the  best  and  most  equi- 
table solution  of  the  questions  involved,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  various  interests  to  be  harmonized  in  order  to  reach 
a uniform  scale. 

It  is  expected  that  all  the  prices  and  conditions  shall  be 
strictly  adhered  to  by  both  operators  and  miners. 

Signed;  S.  M.  Dalzell,  Chairman. 

T.  L.  Lewis,  Secretary. 

Committee  on  behalf  of  operators : 

Illinois — S.  M.  Dalzell  and  A.  Moorshead. 

Indiana — Jos.  H.  McClelland  and  P.  H.  Penna. 

Indiana  Block — W.  W.  Risher. 

Ohio — J.  S.  Morton  and  W.  J.  Mullins. 

Pennsylvania — G.  W.  Schluederberg  and  John  A.  O’Neil. 

Committee  on  behalf  of  miners : 

Illinois — John  M.  Hunter  and  W.  D.  Ryan. 

Indiana  Block — Barney  Navin. 

Indiana  Bituminous — J.  H.  Kennedy  and  W.  G.  Knight. 

Ohio — W.  E.  Farms  and  T.  L.  Lewis. 

Pennsylvania — P.  Dolan  and  Wm.  Warner. 

On  behalf  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 

Speaking  of  the  agreement  the  president  said : 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention' 


637 


“It  has  advanced  wag'es  generally,  about  eighteen  per  cent, 
reduced  the  hours  of  labor  almost  in  the  same  ratio;  it  re- 
duced the  size  of  screens  and  to  a v,ery  great  extent  abolished 
them  entirely.  It  equalized  wages  and  made  conditions  uni- 
form and  the  eight-hour  day  he  said  is  a fixed  principle  that 
will  never  be  surrendered  but  would  be  fought  out  until  it 
became  permanent  in  every  branch  of  trade  and  industry.” 

The  report  spoke  harshly  of  the  West  Virginia  situation 
and  the  position  taken  by  the  operators  there  because  of  their 
refusal  to  join  in  the  interstate  plan  of  adjusting  grievances 
together  with  the  many  impositions  practiced  by  them  in  their 
unscrupulous  methods  to  prevent  organization  through  the 
thug  detective  agencies  they  employed.  The  president’s  re- 
port contained  circulars  sent  out  in  the  interest  of  the  3,000 
Pittsburg  miners  for  aid  .and  support  to  help  them  while  con- 
tending against  operators  that  refused  to  live  up  to  the  Chi- 
cago agreement  in  the  payment  of  wages  agreed  to,  jointly. 

On  the  United  Mine  Workers  Journal  it  said:  “As  a re- 

sult of  your  action  of  last  year  and  other  changes  made  af- 
fecting the  cost  of  publication,  I am  pleased  to  say  is  not  only 
self  sustaining,  but  it  is  also  a handsome  source  of  revenue  to 
our  organization. 

The  president  closed  his  report  as  follows : 

The  joint  convention  next  week  from  every  indication  will 
be  well  attended  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  it  will  reach  an  agree- 
ment by  which  peace  may  be  assured  during  the  coming  year. 
The  advantages  of  our  joint  relations  as  pointed  out  briefly 
in  this  report  and  as  felt  from  the  experience  of  the  past  year, 
I am  sure  will  impel  you  to  preserve  and  continue  such  rela- 
tions so  long  as  you  And  them  advantageous.  I shall  be  with 
you  during  the  session,  and  to  this  end  will  gladly  give  what 
assistance  I can. 

You  will  notice  that  in  this  report  I have  carefully  avoided 
the  making  of  any  recommendations  as  to  the  future  policy 
of  our  organization.  This  you  may  be  assured  is  not  due  to  any 
lack  of  interest  on  my  part,  but  is  rather  due  to  my  retire- 
ment from  office  and  to  the  fact  that  as  such,  I deem  it  im- 
proper to  commit  in  any  way,  or  to  any  plan,  the  man  or  men 
whom  you  may  elect  to  lead  you  in  the  future.  I prefer  that 
they  be  free  so  far  as  possible,  and  that  with  your  advice  and 
support,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  which  is  hereby  re- 
quested, they  declare  their  own  policy  and  carry  the  same  into 
practice. 


638 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


In  this  regard  suffer  me  to  say  that  my  retirement  from 
office  means  in  no  sense  the  severance  of  my  connections  with 
you  or  your  constituency,  or  my  retirement  from  the  labor 
movement.  It  simply  contemplates  my  removal  into  another 
field  of  labor,  where  your  interests  are  considered  and  dis- 
cussed and  will  need  protection,  and  in  which  I hope  to  render 
you  greater  service  than  ever  before.  You  may  always  be 
assured  that  my  voice  and  pen  shall  be  ever  ready  to  defend 
you  in  the  future  as  in  the  past,  in  all  things  honorable  and 
fair. 

While  treating  with  this  subject  I wish  to  call  attention  to 
the  work  outlined  by  the  Industrial  Commission,  also  to  ex- 
press thanks  and  assurances  of  appreciation  to  our  chief 
executive,  who  has  so  unhesitatingly  given  our  craftsmen  such 
a distinctive  recognition. 

The  work  of  investigation  is  sub-divided  under  five  sepa- 
rate heads,  including  Agriculture  and  Agricultural  Labor, 
Manufacturing  and  General  Business,  Conditions  of  Labor 
and  Capital  in  Mining,  on  Transportation,  and  on  Statistics. 
The  topical  plan  of  inquiry  in  each  case  is  so  comprehensive 
as  to  insure  the  greatest  possible  investigation  of  the  condi- 
tions affecting  labor  and  capital  in  their  relations  to  each 
other. 

Should  this  policy  be  carried  out  to  the  end,  as  I firmly  be- 
lieve it  will,  there  is  reason  for  the  hope  that  many  of  the 
wrongs  under  which  we  suffer  today  will  soon  be  removed, 
therefore  I earnestly  ask  your  co-operation  in  the  work  of  the 
Industrial  Commission. 

In  conclusion  permit  me  to  impart  to  you  and  through  you 
to  the  miners  everywhere  my  most  profound  feelings  of  grati- 
tude. Indeed,  the  thought  of  even  a temporary  absence  from 
those  with  whom  we  have  been  so  long  and  so  closely  asso- 
ciated, brings  with  it  a memory  of  the  years  we  stood  together 
in  defense  of  the  cause  we  believed  and  still  believe  is  right. 
True,  we  had  our  differences,  and  may  have  them  in  the 
future,  as  is  the  case  in  all  other  organized  bodies.  We  may 
have  also  made  our  mistakes  and  errors  as  all  men  will  who 
have  so  much  to  do,  and  so  many  to  please.  In  this  we  may 
recall  with  profit  the  words  of  the  ancient  monarch,  to  illus- 
trate our  purposes:  “He  who  has  much  to  do  will  do  some- 

thing wrong,  and  for  that  wrong  must  suffer  the  consequences, 
and  if  it  were  possible  that  he  should  always  act  rightly,  yet 
when  such  numbers  are  to  judge  of  his  actions,  the  bad  will 
censure  and  obstruct  him  by  malevolence,  and  the  good  some- 
times by  mistake.”  It  is  due,  however,  to  say  that  in  my  whole 
experience  I can  not  recall  a single  official  act  influenced  by 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


639 


any  cause,  other  than  would  not  again  be  taken  under  the  same 
circumstances. 

There  are  many  questions  with  -y^hich  this  report  has  not 
dealt  that  will  doubtless  come  up  for  discussion.  My  purpose 
has  been  to  treat  only  with  questions  of  a general  character, 
and  review  the  most  important  work  performed,  as  fully  as 
time  and  space  would  allow.  For  a more  detailed  report  I 
refer  you  to  that  of  your  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  to  your 
Vice-President,  who  will  also  review  the  progress  made  dur- 
ing that  part  of  the  year  not  covered  by  this  report. 

My  relations  with  my  fellow  officers  throughout  the  year, 
and  with  others  whom  I have  met,  and  especially  with  the 
office  force,  with  whom  I have  been  mostly  in  touch,  has  been 
of  the  most  cordial  nature.  To  all  I wish  the  greatest  possible 
success  in  whatever  walk  of  life  they  may  hereafter  be  placed. 

Having  thus  presented  a report  of  the  various  subjects 
which  I deem  most  worthy  of  your  consideration,  I now  rest 
the  matter  in  your  hands,  and  respectfully  ask  your  assistance 
in  conducting  the  affairs  of  this  great  convention.  Respect- 
fully submitted,  M.  D.  Ratchford,  President. 

The  report  of  Acting  President  John  Mitchell  covered  the 
remaining  part  of  the  year  from  September  until  the  end  of 
the  term.  After  an  explanation  of  the  causes  for  President 
Ratchford’s  resignation  and  the  action  of  the  National  Execu- 
tive Board  in  electing  him  to  serve  as  president  he  said  in 
part: 

Organizers  were  sent  into  new  fields,  old  and  defunct  dis- 
tricts were  revived,  that  three  months  ago  there  was  not  a 
local  union  in  Kansas,  Arkansas  or  Indian  Territory,  where 
the  membership  had  reached  1,800  and  Iowa  had  increased 
its  membership  at  a commendable  rate. 

Among  the  most  notable  and  successful  strikes  was  on  the 
Monongahela  river  in  Pennsylvania  contending  for  the  scale 
price  of  66  cents  per  ton  jointly  agreed  to  by  operators  and 
miners  at  the  Chicago  conference.  Through  a proposition 
made  by  River  Operator  J.  Jones  to  arbitrate  the  question, 
and  agreed  to  by  the  national  union,  three  Allegheny  county 
judges  decided  that  the  price  should  be  66  cents  per  ton  and 
the  decision  rendered  had  the  effect  of  breaking  the  strike, 
other  operators  conceding  the  advance  later  on. 

In  the  central  Kentucky  district  where  a prolonged  con- 
tention had  been  waged  between  operators,  some  owning  chain 
and  others  punching  machines,  the  question  was  referred  to 
the  miners’  national  executive  board  for  adjustment.  On  the 
operators’  appearance  at  the  miners’  national  office  by  re- 


640 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


quest,  after  a consultation  of  the  operators  the  case  was  post- 
poned and  two  weeks  later  it  was  reported  that  all  operators 
would  pay  the  scale  demanded  by  the  miners. 

At  Tracy  City,  Tennessee,  a strike  of  considerable  propor- 
tions took  place,  the  miners  striking  against  the  continuation 
of  the  sub-contract  system.  W.  R.  Fairley,  president  of  the 
Alabama  organization,  was  instructed  to  proceed  to  Tracy 
City,  and  attempt  to  effect  settlement  of  differences  there.  It 
is  a pleasure  to  report  that  his  efforts  were  successful  in  bring- 
ing about  a settlement  and  securing  the  abolition  of  the  sub- 
contract system  of  mining  coal.  In  this  settlement  the  workers 
who  had  formerly  been  victims  of  the  sub-contract  system 
secured  an  advance  in  wages  from  20%  cents  per  ton  to  34% 
cents.  The  number  of  men  whose  wages  were  advanced  by 
the  settlement  amounted  to  46  per  cent  of  all  the  employes  of 
the  company.  In  southern  Iowa,  just  as  soon  as  our  organ- 
ization secured  a foothold  there,  a demand  was  made  and  an 
advance  secured  of  10  cents  per  ton.  In  Illinois,  5,000  miners 
were  compelled  to  strike  for  enforcement  of  scale  rates  in  the 
beginning  of  the  scale  year,  3,000  of  whom  were  still  on  strike 
when  we  assumed  charge  of  affairs.  Since  that  time  nearly 
all  places  have  been  successful  in  securing  scale  rates,  and 
work  has  resumed. 

In  connection  with  the  Illinois  strikes  it  is  with  much  re- 
gret that  we  report  the  sad  calamity  at  Virden,  Illinois,  which 
resulted  in  the  loss  of  eight  lives  of  union  miners  and  the 
wounding  of  many  others.  This  conflict  was  brought  about 
by  the  operators  of  the  Chicago- Virden  Coal  Company  at- 
tempting to  import  non-union  labor  from  Alabama  to  take  the 
place  of  the  strikers.  The  union  miners  had  gathered  en  masse 
from  all  surrounding  towns  at  the  city  of  Virden  for  the  pur- 
pose of  inducing  by  lawful  means  the  imported  laborers  to 
return  to  their  homes.  As  soon  as  the  train  arrived  convey- 
ing this  horde  of  cheap,  non-union  labor,  the  union  miners 
gathered  at  the  depot  to  receive  them,  when  the  armed  guards 
who  accompanied  these  scabs  from  St.  Louis,  opened  fire  upon 
the  defenseless  and  unsuspecting  union  miners,  killing  them 
right  and  left.  The  union  miners,  at  last  compelled  as  a mat- 
ter of  self-preservation,  returned  the  fire  and  not  less  than  ten 
of  these  armed  thugs  were  killed  and  many  more  wounded, 
the  exact  number  we  have  been  unable  to  ascertain.  This  un- 
fortunate conflict  had  the  effect  of  preventing  the  company 
importing  other  men  to  take  the  places  of  the  strikers,  and  a 
short  time  afterwards  they  made  an  unconditional  surrender 
to  your  organization.  In  this  connection  we  feel  that  this  re- 
port would  not  be  complete  were  we  not  to  say  a word  of  com- 
mendation of  the  action  of  the  Honorable  John  R.  Tanner,  Gov- 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


641 


ernor  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  who,  during  the  progress  of  the 
Virden  strike,  persistently  refused  to  send  the  state  troops  to 
assist  the  coal  companies  to  operate  their  mines  with  cheap, 
imported  labor.  Without  his  assistance  it  is  very  doubtful 
whether  the  miners  would  have  been  successful  in  winning 
this  strike.  The  great  metropolitan  capitalistic  press  has 
been  unceasing  in  its  denunciation  of  the  action  of  the  Gov- 
ernor. We  would  recommend  that  appropriate  resolutions  be 
adopted  by  the  convention  expressing  our  commendation  of 
the  position  taken  by  Governor  Tanner.  Many  other  stub- 
bornly contested  strikes  were  also  won  in  Illinois,  among  which 
were  the  strikes  at  Auburn,  Greenridge,  Nil  wood,  Centralia 
and  many  other  places.  There  is  still  a very  important  strike 
in  progress  at  Pana,  Illinois,  which  we  believe  should  receive 
the  attention  of  the  convention.  Five  hundred  and  fifty  em- 
ployes of  the  Pana  Coal  Companies  have  been  idle  since  April 
1,  demanding  scale  rates.  The  companies  have  imported  a 
large  number  of  non-union  laborers  from  the  Southern  States, 
who  are  now  at  work  in  the  mines.  The  strikers  in  Illinois 
have  been  very  liberally  supported  by  their  more  fortunate 
brethren  who  have  been  at  work  by  the  contribution  of  10  per 
cent  of  their  gross  earnings.  At  Washington,  Indiana,  the 
strike  that  was  inaugurated  twenty  months  ago  is  still  in  prog- 
ress, the  union  miners  still  standing  as  firm  as  the  first  day 
they  suspended  work. 

We  would  recommend  that  the  executive  board  be  increased 
by  adding  two  members,  and  that  the  time  for  holding  our 
annual  convention  be  from  the  second  to  the  third  Monday  in 
January.  We  would  also  recommend  that  the  constitution  be 
so  amended  that  the  national  annual  convention  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America  be  held  at  the  city  in  which  our 
headquarters  are  located,  and  the  consolidation  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  with  the  Western  Federation  of 
Miners. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  to  draw  your  attention  to  the 
fact  that  in  this  convention  there  are  representatives  present 
from  thirteen  states  and  one  territory  of  the  Union,  and  that 
sixteen  districts  are  now  organized  and  doing  active  work  in 
our  organization.  For  a number  of  years  not  more  than  five 
states  have  been  represented  in  our  annual  convention.  Our 
experience  justifies  us  in  saying  that  such  results  could  only 
be  achieved  by  the  persistent  work  of  board  members  and 
organizers.  Since  assuming  the  presidency  of  the  organiza- 
tion our  time,  day  and  night,  has  been  our  fellow  craftsmen’s 
to  command,  and  we  can  only  add  that  whatever  condition  in 
life  we  may  find  ourselves  ^)laced  in  that  the  interests  and  wel- 
fare of  our  brother  miners  will  be  our  first  consideration,  and 


642 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


if  we  can  be  of  service  in  making  life  more  pleasant  by  in- 
creasing their  comfort  and  happiness  and  bringing  joy  and 
gladness  into  their  homes  instead  of  gloom  and  sadness,  that 
too  frequently  finds  a resting  place  there,  our  lives  will  not 
have  been  spent  in  vain. 

We  desire  to  acknowledge  to  each  official  colleague,  and  to 
the  membership  generally,  our  appreciation  of  the  uniform 
courtesy  accorded  us  during  our  official  career.  We  have  met 
with  nothing  but  kindness,  and  for  our  successors  we  could 
desire  nothing  better. 

We  have  received  information  since  this  report  was  pre- 
pared that  a satisfactory  settlement  of  the  Kentucky  trouble 
has  been  reached. 

Trusting  that  our  deliberations  will  be  harmonious  and 
that  benefits  like  an  overflowing  river  will  accrue  to  our  fel- 
low miners,  I return  to  your  keeping  the  trust  your  represen- 
tatives placed  upon  me. 

John  Mitchell. 

secretary-treasurer’s  report. 

The  report  of  Secretary  Pearce  was  very  interesting,  both 
financially  and  otherwise.  It  was  filled  with  consolation  and 
good  cheer  over  the  advances  made  in  membership  and  fi- 
nance. The  secretary  said  he  was  proud  to  report  the  many 
new  unions  organized.  The  stoiy  of  the  year  he  said  was  one 
of  the  most  satisfactory  in  history. 

His  financial  report  covered  pages  of  matter  in  detail  tell- 
ing of  the  sources  from  which  money  had  been  received  and 
expended. 

The  following  is  a summary  of  the  secretary’s  report 
found  and  reported  by  the  auditing  committee : 

ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  AUDITING  COMMITTEE. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  Jan.  6,  1899. 

We,  your  auditors,  after  careful  examination  of  the  books 
of  Secretary-Treasurer  W.  C.  Pearce,  submit  the  following  re- 
port : 

Receipts. 


Balance  in  treasui'v  January  1,  1S9S .$10.812. IS 

Taxes 39,482.40 

Supplies  3,926.49 

Journal  5,161.94 

Miscellaneous 1,226.32 


Total  — — $60,609.33 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


643 


Expenses. 


Officers’  salaries  and  expenses,  1898 • $23,241.08 

Supplies,  1898 7,096.77 

Office  expenses 1,248.71 

Telegraph,  postage  and  express,  1898 • 1,905.08 

Miscellaneous,  1898  4,227.38 


Total  $37,719.02 

Balance  in  treasury  Jan.  1,  1899 $22,890.31 


We  also  wish  to  say  that  it  affords  us  great  pleasure  to  re- 
port that  the  books  are  kept  systematically  and  accurately. 
And  we  further  wish  to  call  the  attention  of  the  members  of 
the  convention  and  of  their  constituents  to  this  gratifying 
fact  that  Brother  Pearce  has  faithfully  carried  out  the  trust 
that  the  ninth  annual  convention  confided  to  him.  We  also 
desire  to  compliment  Brother  Pearce  and  the  rest  of  the  na- 
tional officers  for  the  efficient  and  economical  management  of 
the  financial  interests  of  the  organization,  and  the  heroic  ef- 
forts by  which  they  and  others  have  built  up  the  magnificent 
organization  which  is  today  represented  by  this  convention. 

(Signed) 

Emanuel  Dixon, 
Fred  Powell, 

Auditors. 

Indianapolis,  Jan.  6,  1899. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Mr.  W.  C.  Pearce  had  on  deposit  in 
this  bank  $22,890.31  on  December  31,  1898. 

(Signed) 

W.  F.  Churchman,  Cashier  Capital  National  Bank. 

The  reports  were  all  referred  to  the  committee  on  officers’ 
reports. 

After  the  reports  of  officers  had  been  read  and  referred  to 
the  proper  committee,  the  investigating  committee  not  being 
ready  to  report  the  convention  adjourned. 

SATURDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Ratchford. 

The  manner  in  which  some  of  the  newspapers  had  reported 
the  previous  day’s  proceedings  gave  rise  to  considerable  feel- 
ing among  the  delegates  and  the  following  resolutions  were 
passed : 

Whereas,  The  press  of  this  city,  excepting  the  Leader,  Tele- 
graph and  Times,  has  given  the  public  a prejudicial  report 
only  of  the  proceedings  of  this  convention. 


644 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  this  convention  enter  its  protest  against 
such  action,  and  that  we  request  each  newspaper  in  the  city 
to  send  such  reporter  as  will  hereafter  report  our  proceedings 
correctly;  further 

Resolved,  That  reporters  of  any  and  all  papers  failing  to 
give  the  facts  shall  be  promptly  excluded  from  this  conven- 
tion. 

Motion,  that  M.  D.  Ratchford  be  requested  to  retain  the 
presidency  of  this  convention  until  the  adjournment  of  the 
interstate  joint  convention. 

Carried. 

President  Ratchford  took  the  floor  and  in  a few  brief  re- 
marks outlined  his  position  before  the  convention.  In  his 
remarks  he  stated  that  a plan  had  been  suggested  to  have  him 
ousted  from  the  convention  even  before  the  election  of  his  suc- 
cessor, alleging  unconstitutionality  of  his  presidency  at  this 
time  on  account  of  holding  place  on  Interstate  Industrial  Com- 
mission. 

COMMITTEES  APPOINTED. 

Committee  on  Officers’  Reports — H.  Stephenson,  G.  Savage, 
James  Boston. 

Committee  on  Constitution — W.  D.  Ryan,  W.  C.  Webb, 
J.  P.  Reese,  Mark  Roberts,  W.  H.  Crawford. 

Committee  on  Appeals  and  Grievances — William  Warner, 
John  Green,  John  Reynolds,  T.  I.  Roberts,  Fred  Dilcher. 

Committee  on  Resolutions — W.  R.  Fairley,  W.  C.  Scott, 
Alex.  Suttie,  Ed  McKay,  James  Cantwell,  J.  M.  Smith. 

Transportation  Committee — J.  H.  Kennedy,  Thomas  Duffy, 
F.  P.  Bishop,  William  Morgan,  A.  Struble. 

Scale  Committee — J.  M.  Hunter,  B.  Navin,  Wm.  Van  Horn, 
W.  H.  Haskins,  Pat  Dolan,  J.  F.  Ream,  J.  M.  Lewis,  Geo. 
Shackert,  P.  Doney. 

Secretary  Pearce  then  read  the  following  letter  from  Jas. 
W.  Kilduff,  thanking  the  delegates  for  the  donation  sent  him 
through  Brothers  Dolan  and  Dilcher. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Jan.  13,  1899. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Esq.,  Secretary-Treasurer  United  IMine  Workers 

of  America. 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother : I beg  leave  to  acknowledge  receipt 
from  Brothers  Patrick  Dolan  and  Fred  Dilcher  of  $51.00,  so 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


645 


kindly  contributed  by  the  members  of  your  convention.  While 
no  humble  words  of  mine  can  properly  express  my  feelings 
towards  all  the  brothers  for  their  kindness,  the  best  that  I 
can  now  offer  them  is  my  earnest  arid  heartfelt  thanks.  Hop- 
ing your  organization  will  accomplish  its  aims  and  objects, 
I am,  yours  in  the  cause.  James  W.  Kilduff. 


KEPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  OFFICER’S  REPORTS. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Jan.  14,  1899. 

To  the  Officers  and  Representatives  in  Convention  Assembled : 

Gentlemen — We,  your  committee  on  officers’  reports,  beg 
leave  to  submit  the  following : 

That  after  examining  the  report  of  President  Ratchford, 
we  would  heartily  concur  in  his  work  during  his  official  term 
of  office,  and  most  heartily  hope  that  his  wishes  in  regard  to 
the  eight-hour  workday  may  be  carried  out,  and  that  every 
mine  worker  will  use  every  effort  in  his  power  to  establish  the 
eight-hour  workday  in  every  mine  in  the  United  States ; and  we 
further  concur  in  his  action  and  work  done  in  boycotting  non- 
union coal  of  West  Virginia,  and  recommend  that  the  incom- 
ing officers  use  every  effort  in  their  power  to  induce  consumers 
not  to  use  non-union  coal  from  any  state  until  the  miners 
are  paid  scale  rates,  and  secure  the  same  conditions  as  those 
existing  in  all  organized  coal  fields. 

And  we,  your  committee,  further  concur  in  the  recommen- 
dation of  Acting  President  Mitchell  in  regard  to  the  consolida- 
tion of  our  organization  with  the  Western  Federation  of 
Miners,  and  that  organizers  be  placed  in  the  field  for  the  above 
purpose. 

And  we  further  concur  in  the  recommendation  that  suit- 
able resolutions  be  drafted,  engrossed  and  presented  to 
his  Excellency,  Governor  Tanner,  of  Illinois. 

And,  owing  to  the  spread  of  our  organization,  your  com- 
mittee concur  in  the  recommendation  of  Acting  President  Mit- 
chell in  regard  to  the  addition  of  two  members  to  the  National 
Executive  Board;  and  we  also  approve  of  his  recommenda- 
tion that  our  annual  convention  be  held  the  third  Monday  in 
January. 

We,  your  committee,  realizing  the  increased  work  of  our 
Secretary-Treasurer,  W.  C.  Pearce,  owing  to  the  large  and  in- 
creased membership  and  responsibilities,  do  heartily  endorse 
and  commend  his  official  work,  which  is  a credit  to  our  organ- 
ization. We  recommend  that  the  reports  of  our  President,  Act- 
ing President  and  Secretary-Treasurer  be  made  and  become  a 


646 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


part  of  the  proceedings  of  this  convention.  Respectfully  sub- 
mitted, 

H.  Stephenson, 

Jas.  Boston, 

G.  Savage, 

Committee. 

Secretary  Calverly,  of  original  credential  committee,  sub- 
mitted the  following  minority  report : 

We,  the  credential  committee,  beg  leave  to  state  that  as  we 
understand  the  constitution  it  was  utterly  impossible  for  us  to 
place  on  the  list  some  of  the  local  unions,  that  are  recommended 
by  the  committee  appointed  by  this  convention  as  an  investi- 
gating committee  as  entitled  to  vote  in  this  convention.  It 
will  be  noticed  that  quite  a number  of  local  unions  have  been 
placed  on  the  list  asking  a seat  and  vote  other  than  those  re- 
ported by  either  the  credential  or  investigating  committees, 
and  as  was  previously  stated,  we  were  guided  by  the  laws  and 
constitution  of  our  organization  in  this  matter. 

Further,  we  find  that  local  unions  in  large  numbers  located 
in  the  Pittsburg  district  are  placed  on  the  list  asking  full 
representation  in  this  convention,  vested  with  all  the  powers 
enjoyed  by  local  unions  whose  rights  to  representation  are 
unquestionable  in  this  convention.  We  feel  that  we  should  be 
guilty  of  establishing  a very  dangerous  precedent  were  we  to 
concur  in  recommending  the  seating  of  delegates  touching  on 
these  locals  not  previously  reported. 

Signed  by  credential  committee, 

Joseph  Smart, 

Walter  R.  Calverly, 

P.  J.  Keenan. 

After  considerable  discussion  the  report  was  adopted. 

Committee  on  Investigation — A1  Struble,  W.  R.  Fairley, 
Jacob  Stanley. 

Adjourned  for  dinner. 

SATURDAY  AFTERNOON. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Ratchford. 

Chair  appointed  Ed  Soppett  and  Wm.  Turner  sergeants- 
at-arms. 

After  several  announcements  had  been  made  the  conven- 
tion adjourned  until  Monday  morning. 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


647 


MONDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  Vice-President  Mitchell. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  RESOLUTIONS. 

Gentlemen : We,  your  committee,  beg  leave  to  submit  the 
following  for  your  consideration : 

Whereas,  In  view  of  the  fact  of  the  enormous  increase  in 
the  m*embership  of  our  organization,  the  standing  financially 
and  numerically  is  such  as  to  warrant  a reduction  in  the  per 
capita  tax ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  per  capita  tax  be  reduced  to  five  cents 
per  month. 

Moved  by  Lewis  to  non-concur  in  committee’s  report  and 
adopt  resolution.  Delegate  V/atchorn  spoke  in  favor  of  the 
present  per  capita  tax.  Delegate  Lewis  explained  his  reasons 
for  making  motion.  Delegate  John  McBride  spoke  in  favor 
of  committee’s  recommendation,  and  against  the  Lewis  mo- 
tion. Lost. 

Motion  by  Stephenson  to  concur  in  committee  report.  Car- 
ried. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  anthracite  coal  field  at  the  present  time  has 
a very  small  portion  of  the  total  number  of  miners  employed 
in  the  mining  of  anthracite  coal  in  this  organization,  and  at 
the  earnest  request  of  said  miners,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  every  effort  be  put  forth  the  coming  year 
to  have  the  organization  strengthened  in  this  section,  that 
they  may  act  in  unity  with  the  bituminous  miners,  and  pre- 
vent a recurrence  of  what  has  been  practiced  in  former  years 
by  the  operators,  that  of  using  the  miners  of  one  section  to 
defeat  another  in  time  of  trouble. 

Resolved,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  checkweighmen 
to  keep  a record  of  weights  of  coal  passing  over  the  tipple  of 
the  mine  where  a checkweighman  is  employed,  and  also  to 
keep  the  weight  of  all  pit  cars  and  all  railroad  cars  being  loaded 
with  coal  at  the  mines,  where  checkweighmen  are  employed, 
and  that  he  shall  be  required  to  give  a correct  report  of  same 
and  each  month  or  whenever  called  upon  to  do  so,  said  report 
to  be  forwarded  by  Local  Secretary  to  District  Secretary. 

The  report  of  delegates  to  the  American  Federation  of 
Labor  being  called  for.  Acting  President  Mitchell  submitted 
the  following  report : 


648 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Among  the  resolutions  adopted  may  be  mentioned: 

Reaffirming  the  favorable  attitude  of  the  Federation  on 
the  free  coinage  of  silver. 

Endorsing  a bill  providing  that  all  battleships,  cruisers, 
etc.,  and  all  naval  equipment  for  use  of  the  government  shall 
be  constructed  in  the  navy  yards  belonging  to  the  United 
States. 

Instructing  the  council  to  appropriate  money  for  organiza- 
tion purposes  in  the  inter-mountain  states. 

Reaffirming  the  Federation’s  endorsements  of  all  union 
labels  of  affiliated  bodies. 

Memorializing  congress  to  enact  into  law  House  Bill  7389 
providing  for  a uniform  eight-hour  day  on  government  work 

Condemning  the  Allen  law,  and  commending  the  gallani 
stand  made  by  the  people  of  Chicago  in  their  efforts  to  obtain 
municipal  ownership  and  operation  of  street  railways. 

Providing  for  the  issuance  of  a circular  to  all  affiliated 
bodies  drawing  attention  to  the  unfair  publishing  firms  of 
Donohue  & Henneberry  of  Chicago,  111. ; W.  B.  Conkey,  of 
Hammond,  Ind. ; and  Hudson  & Kimberley,  of  Kansas  City, 
Mo. 

Recognizing  the  Baltimore  branch  of  the  Brotherhood  of 
Painters  and  Decorators  as  the  regular  organization,  and 
classing  the  Lafayette  faction  as  seceders. 

Endorsing  the  patriotic  stand  taken  by  John  R.  Tanner, 
Governor  of  Illinois,  in  protecting  the  rights,  liberties  and  lives 
of  citizens  of  that  state  against  the  invasion  of  an  armed  mob, 
and  expressing  to  him  the  heartfelt  thanks  of  the  Federation 
for  the  precedent  established  for  the  cause  of  organized  labor. 

Requesting  all  organizations  affiliated  with  the  American 
Federation  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  secure  the  establish- 
ing of  the  postal  telegraph  or  the  government  ownership  of 
the  telegraph  and  instructing  the  legislative  committee  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Labor  to  make  government  ownership 
of  the  telegraph  a preferred  measure,  and  co-operate  with  the 
International  Typographical  Union  in  securing  the  enactment 
of  the  desired  law. 

Petitioning  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  pardon 
E.  W.  Clark,  on  the  ground  that  he  has  suffered  sufficiently 
to  meet  the  demands  of  justice. 

The  number  of  strikes  was  reported  at  260,  of  which  160 
were  won,  29  compromised,  36  lost  and  35  are  pending: 
workers  involved,  22,311,  of  whom  19,367  were  benefited.  The 
total  receipts  for  the  year  were  $22,588.59,  and  the  expendi- 
tures $19,917.17,  leaving  a balance  of  $3,391.42  on  November 
1,  1898. 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


649 


A motion  to  adopt  the  report  brought  on  considerable 
discussion.  Vote  resulted  in  its  adoption. 

Motion  to  suspend  the  rules  an4  elect  three  auditors  as 
provided  by  constitution. 

The  following  were  elected:  Emanual  Dixon,  John  J. 

Mossop,  Samuel  Pascoe. 

Motion  that  Brothers  Harris  and  McGowan  be  given  a 
seat  and  voice  in  joint  convention.  Carried. 

Adjourned  until  Tuesday  morning. 

TUESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Ratchford. 

Resolutions  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  heartily  endorses  the  union 
stamp  of  the  Boot  and  Shoe  Workers’  Union,  and  especially 
commends  the  friendly  act  of  the  Hon.  W.  L.  Douglas ; 

Resolved,  That  we  sympathize  with  our  brothers  of  Marl- 
boro, Mass.,  and  we  hereby  pledge  ourselves  and  our  mem- 
bers to  purchase  no  shoes  but  those  which  bear  the  union 
stamp. 

As  it  is  impossible  for  us  as  miners  to  get  printed  matter 
such  as  weigh  sheets  and  monthly  reports  printed  by  union 
labor  in  certain  districts ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  miners,  recommend  that  where  it 
is  impossible  to  get  such  matter  done  by  union  labor,  that  we 
have  National  Secretary-Treasurer  W.  C.  Pearce  purchase 
same  as  per  our  order ; and  further,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  ask  all  local  unions  to  have  their  print- 
ing done  only  by  those  using  the  Typographical  label. 

Be  it  resolved,  that  our  executive  officers  are  hereby  advised 
to  use  all  the  means  at  their  disposal  toward  organizing  the 
non-union  miners  and  mine  laborers  of  this  country  before 
April  1,  1899,  especially  Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia. 

Resolved,  That  a sign  of  recognition  be  used  whereby 
members  may  know  each  other. 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  Local  Union  39,  situated  at  Wash- 
ington, Ind.,  have  been  on  strike  for  one  year  and  nine  months, 
said  strike  endorsed  by  the  district  officials,  and  have  ex- 
hausted all  means  in  their  power  to  bring  about  a settlement ; 
•therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  said  strike  be  declared  a national  strike, 
and  the  incoming  officers  are  instructed  to  use  all  honorable 
means  to  bring  victory  to  the  Washington  miners. 


JOHN  MITCHELL,  NATIONAL  PRESIDENT, 
ELECTED  JANUARY,  1899. 


T.  W.  DAVIS,  EDITOR  JOURNAL,  1897,  1898. 
VICE-PRESIDENT,  1899. 


652 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Credentials  presented  by  Jacob  Heckman  and  Jas.  A.  Mur- 
ray were  accepted  and  delegates  given  seats. 

Officers  elected:  For  President — John  Mitchell;  Vice- 

President — T.  W.  Davis;  Secretary-Treasurer — W.  C.  Pearce. 
For  Executive  Board — Fred  Dilcher,  Henry  Stephenson,  Ed- 
ward McKay,  W.  R.  Fairley,  James  Boston,  George  W.  Pur- 
cell. 

Delegates  to  American  Federation  of  Labor  Convention — 
John  Hunter,  W.  C.  Pearce,  John  Mitchell,  William  Warner. 

The  following  communication  was  then  read  from  the 
operators’  meeting: 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Jan.  17,  1899. 

To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  U.  M.  W.  of  A. : 

Gentlemen — We  are  directed  to  inform  you  that  the  opera- 
tors of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois  will  meet 
you  in  joint  convention  at  Carnegie  Hall,  at  2 o’clock  p.  m. 
today. 

Also  to  say  further  that  if  it  is  desired  after  organizing 
to  take  a recess  until  tomorrow  morning  the  operators  will 
not  object.  Yours,  etc.,  Walter  S.  Bogle,  Chairman. 

C.  E.  SCROGGS,  Secretary. 

Motion  to  adjourn  to  meet  operators  at  2 o’clock  in  Car- 
negie Music  Hall,  Allegheny.  Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

After  the  necessary  preliminaries  were  arranged  at  the 
joint  convention  of  operators  and  miners,  adjournment  was 
taken,  miners  returning  to  their  usual  place  of  meeting,  and 
resumed  the  regular  order  of  business. 

After  the  scale  committee  had  reported  in  executive  ses- 
sion, the  convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  John  IMitchell, 
who  announced  an  executive  session  to  hear  further  report  of 
scale  committee. 

The  scale  committee  reported  and  were  succeeded  by  com- 
mittee on  resolutions,  who  reported  as  follows : 

Inasmuch  as  we  think  that  a larger  circulation  of  the 
Journal,  the  official  organ  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


653 


America,  would  serve  to  keep  alive  the  interest  and  enthusiasm 
of  the  rank  and  file  in  our  local  unions ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  ®f  this  convention  that  it 
would  be  to  our  interest  to  advance  the  per  capita  tax  to  15 
cents  per  month  and  send  the  paper  free  to  each  member  as 
long  as  they  are  in  good  standing ; therefore  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  be  instructed  to  send  out 
blanks  to  each  local  union  and  take  a vote  on  this  proposition, 
and  if  a majority  favor  the  proposal,  it  be  put  into  effect  as 
soon  as  practicable. 

The  committee  reported  unfavorable,  and  their  report  was 
agreed  to. 

Resolved,  That  a Slavonian  organizer  be  appointed  to  can- 
vass from  one  state  to  another  for  the  purpose  of  explaining 
to  the  Slavonian,  Polish  and  other  foreign  members  the  rules 
and  regulations  of  the  organization,  in  their  own  language, 
knowing  that  great  and  profitable  results  would  be  the  effect 
of  such  an  appointment. 

Adopted. 

Resolved,  That  all  miners  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  be 
prohibited  from  entering  the  mines  on  idle  days. 

Agreed  to. 

Whereas,  John  R.  Tanner,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, has  taken  an  advanced  step  in  the  interest  of  our  work- 
ing people,  by  the  prevention  of  the  importation  of  armed 
guards  to  protect  certain  coal  operators  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois who  were  attempting  to  operate  their  mines  with  unfair 
labor  and  contrary  to  the  provisions  of  our  agreement;  there- 
fore be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  do  most  heartily  endorse  the  action  of 
said  John  R.  Tanner,  believing  that  said  action  is  to  the  best 
interest  of  the  human  family,  and  especially  the  working  peo- 
ple ; be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  his  honorable  example  to 
other  officials  under  like  circumstances ; also. 

Resolved,  That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded 
to  the  Hon.  John  R.  Tanner,  and  that  they  become  a part  of 
the  proceedings  of  this  convention. 

Adopted. 


654 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Whereas,  Our  retiring  President,  Hon.  M.  D.  Ratchford, 
has  given  us  an  honorable  and  successful  administration.  And 
whereas,  we  believe  that  by  his  careful  and  considerate  man- 
agement of  pur  affairs  many  blessings  have  rebounded  to  us 
as  a craft,  and  also  to  our  families,  and  largely  through  his 
earnest  effort  we  obtained  the  priceless  eight-hour  work-day. 
Therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  in  convention  assembled,  do  most  earn- 
estly tender  him  our  appreciation  of  his  valuable  services  in 
our  behalf,  giving  him  our  hearty  thanks,  and  wishing  him 
success  in  future  life.  And  we  further  recommend  that  he  be 
made  an  honorary  member  of  this  organization. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

W.  R.  Fairley,  President. 

W.  C.  Scott,  Secretary, 
James  Cantwell, 

Joseph  M.  Smith, 

Edward  McKay, 

Alex.  Suttee, 

Committee. 

Moved  to  adopt  by  a rising  vote.  Carried. 

Committee  on  resolutions  reported  that  their  labors  were 
concluded. 

Motion  to  discharge  the  committee  carried  with  thanks  of 
the  convention. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  Carnegie  Hall, 
Allegheny. 

WEDNESDAY  EVENING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  John  Mitchell. 

At  this  point  the  following  telegram  from  President 
Samuel  Gompers,  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  was 
read : 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Jan.  18,  1899. 
John  Mitchell,  Old  City  Hall,  Pittsburg: 

Urge  miners’  convention  to  pass  motion  endorsing  eight- 
hour  bill  (H.  B.  7389)  passed  by  House  and  pending  in  Senate 
committee  on  education  and  labor.  Have  motion  telegraphed 
to  following  Senators:  Kyle,  Turley,  Mantle,  Gear,  Perkins, 

Penrose,  Cannon,  Caffrey,  Lindsay,  insisting  upon  a report  and 
passage  of  the  bill.  Telegraph  at  our  expense. 

Samuel  Gompers. 

On  motion  the  telegram  was  received  and  officers  in- 
structed to  comply  therewith. 


Tenth  National  Annual  Convention 


655 


Moved  that  we  suspend  the  constitution  and  elect  two 
members  of  the  board  by  standing  vote.  Carried.  T.  L. 
Lewis  voting  in  the  negative. 

The  election  of  Benjamin  James  and  John  P.  Reese  was 
made  unanimous,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  Vice-President  T.  W.  Davis. 

Motion  to  donate  $500  to  the  striking  shoemakers  of  Marl- 
borough, Mass.,  was  adopted. 

A motion  was  made  and  adopted  that  the  resolutions  in 
the  hands  of  the  committee  on  constitution,  not  acted  on,  be 
returned  to  the  authors. 

Convention  adjourned. 

FRIDAY  AFTERNOON. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  President  Mitchell  in  the 
chair. 

The  chair  stated  that  under  the  constitution  it  was  neces- 
sary to  elect  a committee  on  credentials  consisting  of  three 
members. 

The  following  were  elected : H.  A.  Banning,  P.  J.  Keenan, 
John  Fahy. 

The  constitution  adopted  in  full  follows : 

CONSTITUTION  AND  LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF 
AMERICA — REVISION  1899. 

Preamble. 

There  is  no  fact  more  generally  known,  or  more  widely  be- 
lieved, than  that  without  coal  there  would  not  have  been  any 
such  grand  achievements,  privileges  and  blessings  as  those 
which  characterize  the  ninteenth  century  civilization,  and  be- 
lieving as  we  do,  that  those  whose  lot  it  is  to  daily  toil  in  the 
recesses  of  the  earth,  mining  and  putting  out  this  coal  which 
makes  these  blessings  possible,  are  entitled  to  a fair  and 
equitable  share  of  the  same;  therefore,  we  have  formed  “The 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,”  for  the  purpose  of  the 
more  readily  securing  the  objects  sought  by  educating  all 
mine  workers  in  America  to  realize  the  necessity  of  unity  of 
action  and  purpose,  in  demanding  and  securing  by  lawful 
means  the  just  fruits  of  oiir  toil.  And  we  hereby  declare  to 
the  world  that  our  objects  are — 


656 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


First — To  secure  an  earning  fully  compatible  with  the 
dangers  of  our  calling  and  the  labor  performed. 

Second — To  establish  as  speedily  as  possible,  and  forever, 
our  right  to  receive  pay,  for  labor  performed,  in  lawful  money, 
and  to  rid  ourselves  of  the  iniquitous  system  of  spending  our 
money  wherever  our  employers  see  fit  to  designate. 

Third — To  secure  the  introduction  of  any  and  all  well  de- 
fined and  established  appliances  for  the  preservation  of  life, 
health  and  limbs  of  all  mine  employes. 

Fourth — To  reduce  to  the  lowest  possible  minimum  the 
awful  catastrophes  which  have  been  sweeping  our  fellow- 
craftsmen  to  untimely  graves  by  the  thousands;  by  securing 
legislation  looking  to  the  most  perfect  system  of  ventilation, 
drainage,  etc. 

Fifth — To  enforce  existing  laws;  and  where  none  exist, 
enact  and  enforce  them;  calling  for  a plentiful  supply  of 
suitable  timber  for  supporting  the  roof,  pillars,  etc.,  and  to 
have  all  working  places  rendered  as  free  from  water  and  im- 
pure air  and  poisonous  gases  as  possible. 

Sixth — To  uncomprisingly  demand  that  eight  hours  shall 
constitute  a day’s  work,  and  that  not  more  than  eight  hours 
shall  be  worked  in  any  one  day  by  any  mine  worker.  The 
very  nature  of  our  employment,  shut  out  from  the  sunlight 
and  pure  air,  working  by  the  aid  of  artificial  light  (in  no 
instance  to  exceed  one  candle  power),  would,  in  itself,  strongly 
indicate  that,  of  all  men,  a coal  miner  has  the  most  righteous 
claim  to  an  eight-hour  day. 

Seventh — To  provide  for  the  education  of  our  children  by 
lawfully  prohibiting  their  employment  until  they  have  at- 
tained a reasonably  satisfactory  education,  and  in  every  case 
until  they  have  attained  fourteen  years  of  age. 

Eighth — To  abrogate  all  laws  which  enable  coal  opera- 
tors to  cheat  the  miners,  and  to  substitute  laws  which  enable 
the  miner,  under  the  protection  and  majesty  of  the  state,  to 
have  his  coal  properly  weighed  or  measured,  as  the  case  may 
be. 

Ninth — To  secure,  by  legislation,  weekly  payments  in  law- 
ful money. 

Tenth — To  render  it  impossible,  by  legislative  enactment 
in  every  state  (as  is  now  the  case  in  the  State  of  Ohio),  for 
coal  operators  or  corporations  to  employ  Pinkerton  detectives 
or  guards,  or  other  forces  (except  the  ordinary  forces  of  the 
state)  to  take  armed  possession  of  the  mines  in  cases  of  strikes 
or  lockouts. 

Eleventh — To  use  all  honorable  means  to  maintain  peace 
between  ourselves  and  employers;  adjusting  all  differences, 


National  Constitution,  1899 


657 


as  far  as  possible,  by  arbitration  and  conciliation,  that  strikes 
may  become  unnecessary. 

CONSTITUTION^ 

Article  I. — Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Uni- 
ted Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Sec.  2.  The  objects  of  this  union  are  to  unite  all  mine  em- 
ployes and  ameliorate  their  condition  by  methods  of  concilia- 
tiontion,  arbitration  or  strikes. 

Sec.  3.  This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  its 
local  unions,  which  shall  be  governed  in  all  trade  matters  by 
this  constitution. 

Article  II. — Officers  and  Their  Duties. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  union  shall  be  one  Presi- 
dent, one  Vice-President,  one  Secretary-Treasurer  and  an 
Executive  Board  of  eleven  members,  three  of  whom  shall  be 
the  President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary-Treasurer,  and 
three  Auditors,  who  shall  be  elected  at  each  annual  conven- 
tion, all  of  whom  shall  receive  a majority  of  all  votes  cast, 
before  they  be  declared  elected. 

Sec.  2.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  general  conven- 
tions of  the  union ; he  shall  sign  all  bills  and  official  documents, 
when  satisfied  of  their  correctness;  he  shall,  with  the  consent 
of  the  Executive  Board,  fill  by  appointment  any  vacancies  oc- 
curring in  the  national  offices,  and  in  a like  manner  he  is  em- 
powered to  suspend  or  remove  any  national  officer  for  insub- 
ordination or  just  and  sufficient  cause;  he  shall,  with  the  con- 
sent of  the  Executive  Board,  appoint  from  time  to  time  such 
organizers  and  workers  as  may  be  required;  he  shall  devote 
his  time  and  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  union,  and  exer- 
cise general  supervision  of  its  workings,  either  in  the  field 
or  in  the  National  office,  as  his  judgment  dictates  or  the  ex- 
igencies of  the  case  require.  He  shall  semi-annually  name 
the  password  for  the  use  of  local  unions. 

Sec.  3.  The  Vice-President  shall  act  as  general  organizer, 
and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  President,  and  shall 
succeed  that  officer  in  case  of  death  or  removal  from  office. 

Sec.  4.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of  and 
preserve  all  books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  national  of- 
fice; shall  record  proceedings  of  all  conventions  and  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Executive  Board,  and  shall  keep  copies  of  im- 
portant letters  sent  out  by  him;  he  shall  receive  and  receipt 
for  all  moneys,  pay  all  bills  and  current  expenses,  when  at- 
tested by  the  President;  he  shall  prepare  and  submit  to  the 


658 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


locals  a quarterly  report  of  all  moneys  received  and  disbursed, 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  assigned  him;  he 
shall  give  a bond  of  $5,000  for  the  safe  keeping  of  all  moneys 
entrusted  to  him,  but  he  shall  not  have  more  than  $2,500 
subject  to  his  order  at  any  one  time.  All  other  funds  must  be 
deposited  by  him,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Executive  Board. 

He  shall  semi-annually  send  to  all  State  and  District  Sec- 
retaries the  password,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  transmit  it  to 
such  locals  that  may  be  in  good  standing  in  his  state  or  dis- 
trict ; it  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  parties  receiving  this  password 
in  writing  to  destroy  it  at  once  and  no  one  shall  transmit  it 
without  the  proper  authority. 

Sec.  5.  The  Executive  Board  shall  constitute  a National 
Board  of  Arbitration  and  Conciliation ; shall  execute  the  orders 
of  National  Conventions,  and  between  conventions  shall  have 
full  power  to  direct  the  workings  of  the  union.  The  board 
shall  be  convened  by  the  President  or  by  the  Secretary-Treas- 
urer, at  the  request  of  four  members  of  the  Board. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  National  Union  shall  be 
derived  from  local  unions,  which  shall  pay  direct  to  the  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer ten  (10)  cents  per  month  per  member;  frac- 
tional members  shall  pay  in  proportion.  The  local  Secretary 
shall  fill  out  and  forward  to  the  National  and  District  Secre- 
taries a monthly  report  of  the  members  in  good  standing  in 
the  local  union;  said  report  to  be  forwarded  to  the  National 
and  District  Secretaries  on  or  before  the  25th  of  each  month. 

Sec.  2.  In  filling  out  the  monthly  report,  the  local  Secre- 
tary shall  report  to  the  national  office,  on  blanks  furnished  for 
that  purpose,  the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number  of 
members  reported  to  the  district,  and  to  the  district  office 
the  amount  of  money  paid  and  the  number  of  members  re- 
ported to  the  national  Secretary. 

Sec.  3.  The  National  Convention  shall  be  held  annually 
on  the  third  Monday  in  January,  at  such  place  as  may  be  de- 
termined upon  by  the  preceding  convention.  Special  conven- 
tions shall  be  called  by  the  President,  when  so  instructed  by 
the  Executive  Board,  or  at  the  request  of  three  districts. 

Sec.  4.  Representatives  to  the  National  Convention  shall 
be  elected  directly  from  local  unions,  and  shall  have  one  vote 
for  100  members  or  less,  and  an  additional  vote  for  each  100 
members  or  majority  fraction  thereof,  but  no  representative 
shall  have  more  than  five  votes,  and  no  person  shall  be  eligible 
as  representative  who  is  not  a miner  or  mine  laborer,  or  em- 
ployed by  the  organization,  and  is  a bona  fide  member  of  a 
local  Union  in  district  where  said  delegate  resides. 


National  Constitution,  1899 


659 


Sec.  5.  No  local  union  shall  be  entitled  to  representation 
in  the  National  Convention  that  is  in  arrears  for  dues  or  as- 
sessments for  three  (3)  months  preceding  the  month  in  which 
the  National  Convention  is  held,  and  who  has  not  in  every 
particular  complied  with  the  constitution  of  the  district  in 
which  said  local  union  may  be  located,  or  which  has  less  than 
10  members,  and  any  mine  within  the  territory  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  Mine  Workers,  having  been  once 
organized  for  a period  of  three  months,  and  allowing  itself 
to  become  lapsed,  defunct,  or  refusing  to  pay  dues  to  the  or- 
ganization, shall  and  must  be  in  good  standing  for  a period 
of  six  months  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  annual  conven- 
tion, before  said  local  union  shall  be  entitled  to  representa- 
tion in  the  annual  or  special  conventions  of  the  national  or 
district  organizations.  All  newly  organized  locals  must  be 
organized  at  least  three  months  and  have  two  months’  dues 
paid  prior  to  the  holding  of  the  National  Convention. 

Sec.  6.  No  locals  shall  be  exempt  from  paying  per  capita 
tax  unless  they  have  been  idle  one  month.  In  all  cases  where 
local  unions  desire  exoneration  from  dues,  same  request  shall 
be  signed  by  the  President,  Secretary  and  Mine  Committee, 
and  have  seal  of  local  attached,  and  be  placed  on  tile  by  Na- 
tional and  District  Secretaries. 

Sec.  7.  President  and  Executive  Board  shall  not  employ 
any  organizer  or  Journal  agent  or  editor  of  Journal  who  is 
not  a miner  or  mine  laborer  and  a member  in  good  standing  of 
a local  union,  except  the  editor  of  the  foreign  languages. 

Sec.  8.  Any  salaried  officer  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  accepting  the  nomination  for  a political  office  or 
an  appointment  to  a political  office  shall  immediately  resign 
his  position  as  an  officer  of  the  organization  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  should  such  officer  refuse  to 
resign  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive  Board  to  declare 
said  office  vacant.  Should  the  Executive  Board  fail  to  comply 
with  the  section,  they  shall  be  guilty  of  violating  the  laws  of 
the  organization  and  shall  not  be  eligible  to  re-election  to  any 
position  in  the  organization. 

Article  IV. — Strikes. 

Section  1.  When  trouble  of  a local  character  arises  be- 
tween members  of  any  local  union  and  their  employers,  the 
officers  of  said  locals  shall  endeavor  to  effect  an  amicable 
adjustment,  and  failing  in  this  they  shall  immediately  notify 
the  officers  of  the  district  to  which  the  affected  locals  are  at- 
tached, and  said  district  officers  shall  immediately  investigate 
the  cause  of  complaint,  and  failing  to  effect  a peaceable  settle- 
ment upon  a basis  that  would  be  equitable  and  just  to  ag- 


660 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


grieved  members,  finding  that  a strike  would  best  subserve 
the  interests  of  the  locality  affected,  they  may  order  the  in- 
auguration of  a strike,  but  no  local  strike  shall  be  legalized 
or  supported  by  a district  unless  its  inauguration  was  ap- 
proved by  the  officers  of  the  district,  or  by  the  National  Ex- 
ecutive Board  upon  an  appeal  taken  by  the  aggrieved  mem- 
bers from  the  decision  of  the  district  officers ; any  local  union 
striking  in  violation  of  the  above  provisions  shall  not  be  sus- 
tained or  recognized  by  national  office  or  officers. 

Sec.  2.  Before  final  action  is  taken  by  any  district  upon 
questions  that  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  interests  of  the 
mine  workers  of  another  district,  or  that  require  a strike  to 
determine,  the  President  and  the  Secretary  of  the  aggrieved 
district  shall  jointly  prepare,  sign  and  forward  to  the  Na- 
tional President  a written  statement  setting  forth  the  griev- 
ance complained  of,  the  action  contemplated  by  the  district, 
together  with  the  reasons  therefor,  and  the  National  Presi- 
dent shall,  within  five  days  after  the  receipt  of  such  state- 
ment, either  approve  or  disapprove  of  the  action  contem- 
plated by  the  aggrieved  district,  and  such  approval  or  disap- 
proval, together  with  reasons  therefor,  shall  be  made  in  writ- 
ing and  a copy  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  the  complain- 
ing district.  Should  the  action  contemplated  by  the  aggrieved 
district  receive  the  approval  of  the  National  President,  the 
district  shall  be  free  to  act,  but  should  the  National  President 
disapprove  the  action  contemplated  the  district  may  appeal 
to  the  National  Executive  Board,  which  shall  be  convened  to 
consider  such  appeal  within  five  days  after  its  receipt  by  the 
National  Secretary ; until  the  National  President  has  approved 
or  the  National  Executive  Board  has  sustained  the  appeal,  no 
district  shall  be  free  to  enter  upon  a strike  unless  it  shall  have 
been  ordered  by  a National  Convention. 

Article  Y. — Qualifications  and  Salary  of  Officers. 

Section  1.  A member  in  good  standing  in  the  organiza- 
tion shall  be  eligible  to  hold  office  in  the  national  union,  pro- 
vided he  is  not  a salaried  officer  of  a district  at  the  same  time, 
and  has  been  a member  of  a local  union  for  six  months  prior  to 
his  election. 

Sec.  2.  President,  $1,200,  and  all  legitimate  expenses; 
Vice-President,  $900,  and  all  legitimate  expenses;  Secretarj^- 
Treasurer,  $1,000,  and  all  legitimate  expenses;  Executive 
Board,  $2.50  per  day  and  all  legitimate  expenses,  when  em- 
ployed by  the  President  to  work  in  the  interest  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America. 


National  Constitution,  1899 


661 


Article  VI. 

Section  1.  All  nominations  for  national  offices  and  dele- 
gates to  the  A.  F.  of  L.  shall  be  s^nt  to  the  National  Secre- 
tary not  later  than  two  months  before  the  annual  convention ; 
said  nominations  shall  be  compiled  by  him  and  sent  out  not 
later  than  six  weeks  prior  to  the  convention,  and  no  person 
shall  be  elected  to  any  office  unless  his  name  has  been  sent  to 
all  locals  as  above  specified.  The  National  Secretary  shall  not 
publish  the  name  and  address  of  any  candidate  without  first 
obtaining  his  consent.  Delegates  shall  come  to  the  conven- 
tion instructed  to  vote  for  candidates  for  the  respective  posi- 
tions. 

Immediately  after  the  organization  of  the  convention  each 
delegate  shall  be  supplied  with  a ballot  to  vote  for  all  officers. 
Delegates  shall  prepare  said  ballot  by  inserting  the  names  of 
his  respective  candidates  under  the  respective  headings  with 
delegate’s  name  and  number  of  local  that  he  represents,  with 
his  number  of  votes  written  on  the  back.  He  shall  deposit 
said  ballot  with  the  tellers  (who  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
chair)  within  three  hours  after  ballots  have  been  distributed. 
The  tellers  shall  deposit  said  ballot  within  a ballot  box  made 
for  the  purpose.  No  ballot  shall  be  received  after  the  polls 
have  been  declared  closed,  and  the  ballot  box  to  be  locked  and 
sealed  by  the  President  in  the  presence  of  the  delegates  of  the 
convention  until  the  tellers  are  ready  to  count  said  ballots. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  tellers  to  count  the  ballots  by  report- 
ing upon  a returning  sheet,  which  the  Secretary  shall  have 
prepared.  Said  report  shall  become  a part  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  convention. 

Sec.  2.  No  person,  a member  of  the  organization,  who 
holds  a financial  or  clearance  card,  showing  him  to  be  a finan- 
cial member  (and  in  good  standing),  shall  be  debarred  or 
hindered  from  obtaining  work  on  account  of  race,  creed  or 
nationality ; and  a clearance  card  from  any  legalized  or  recog- 
nized labor  organization,  anywhere,  known  to  be  friendly  to 
the  U.  M.  W of  A.,  shall  be  accepted ; and  any  member  leav- 
ing a local  union  and  desirous  of  becoming  a member  in  any 
other  local  union,  must  deposit  a transfer  card  with  Recording 
Secretary  of  the  local  in  which  he  desires  to  be  a member.  Due 
cards  or  clearance  cards  shall  not  admit  any  person  to  mem- 
bership from  one  local  of  the  U.  M.  W of  A.  to  another.  And, 
to  protect  the  membership  of  individuals  who  are  unable  to 
pay  their  dues  because  of  no  local  existing  where  they  reside, 
the  National,  District  and  Sub-district  Secretaries  shall  re- 
ceive dues  from  them  and*  issue  to  them  the  usual  cards  for  the 
same. 

Sec.  3.  Any  local  union,  who  shall  wilfully  violate  the 


662 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


above,  shall,  if  proven  guilty,  for  the  first  offense  be  suspended 
from  all  rights  and  privileges  for  three  months,  and  for  the 
second  offense,  suspended  for  six  months,  or  as  long  as  it  is 
deemed  best  by  the  National  Executive  Board. 

Sec.  4.  That  no  charges  shall  be  considered  by  any  con- 
vention of  the  United  Mine  Workers  unless  such  charges  be 
preferred  in  writing  to  the  Executive  Board,  who  shall  hear 
and  determine,  and  report  to  the  convention  their  finding. 

Sec.  5.  Delegates  to  the  National  Convention  shall  be 
paid  railroad  fare  to  and  from  the  convention  on  the  following 
basis : Delegates  shall  represent  five  locals,  if  said  locals  con- 
tain not  more  than  500  members.  When  there  are  500  mem- 
bers in  one  local,  or  in  a less  number  than  five  locals,  such 
local  or  locals  shall  be  entitled  to  send  a delegate.  Locals 
isolated  and  who  can  not  meet  with  other  locals  for  the  pur- 
pose of  electing  a delegate,  shall  be  entitled  to  send  a repre- 
sentative. The  Executive  Board  shall  have  power  to  levy  on 
the  members  to  carry  out  the  above  provisions,  provided  said 
levy  be  necessary. 

Sec.  6.  The  national  officers  shall  have  power  to  change 
boundaries  and  jurisdiction  of  districts  as  the  conditions  may 
require  between  conventions;  provided,  however,  that  they 
consult  the  district  officers  of  the  districts  that  such  change 
of  boundaries  and  jurisdiction  may  affect;  and  in  no  case  shall 
any  such  change  be  made  until  affected  local  or  locals  shall 
have  paid  all  tax  and  assessments  due  to  the  district  to  which 
it  or  they  are  attached. 

Sec.  7.  Three  auditors  shall  be  elected  annually  to  ex- 
amine the  books  of  the  National  Secretary  quarterly  and  cause 
their  report  to  be  published  in  the  United  Mine  Workers 
Jou7^nal,  said  auditors  to  hold  no  national  or  district  offices. 

Sec.  8.  The  National  Executive  Board  shall  have  power  to 
order  a general  suspension  at  any  time  during  the  year  that 
they  deem  it  necessary. 

Sec.  9.  Any  member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America  accepting  a position  other  than  that  of  a miner  or 
mine  laborer,  shall  cease  to  be  a member  of  this  organization 
while  holding  such  position,  this  not  to  apply  to  co-operative 
companies  receiving  the  indorsement  of  the  National  Execu- 
tive Board. 

Article  TIL 

Section  1.  A Credential  Committee  of  three  to  be  elected 
by  each  annual  convention,  no  two  of  whom  shall  be  from  the 
same  state  or  district,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  meet  at  na- 
tional headquarters  not  later  than  six  days  prior  to  the  hold- 
ing of  the  annual  convention  to  examine  all  credentials  and 
books  necessary  to  make  a full  and  complete  report  of  dele- 


Interstate  Joint  Conference 


663 


gates  entitled  to  seats  in  such  convention;  said  Credential 
Committee  to  receive  $2.50  per  day  and  all  necessary  expenses. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  as  a whole,  the 
special  committee  presented  the  following : 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Jan.  20,  1899. 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  governments  should  derive  their 
just  powers  from  and  by  the  consent  of  the  governed,  and  as 
a means  to  that  end,  we  favor  popular  vote  on  said  proposi- 
tion and  the  result  of  said  vote  to  be  adopted  or  rejected  at 
our  next  annual  convention,  and  the  National  Secretary  shall 
furnish  locals  with  ballots  for  the  above  proposition. 

(Signed) 

John  P.  Reese, 

W.  R.  Fairley, 
John  A.  Smith. 

Motion  to  adopt.  Carried. 

By  unanimous  standing  vote  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  was 
chosen  as  the  city  to  hold  the  next  annual  convention. 

Motion  that  this  convention  adjourn  sine  die. 

The  question  was  asked  if  this  adjournment  meant  to  give 
delegates  an  opportunity  to  go  home  who  were  outside  of  the 
competitive  field ; the  chair  answered  yes,  and  would  not  pre- 
vent the  other  delegates  from  meeting  together  on  the  ques- 
tion of  joint  agreement. 

Motion  to  adjourn  sin  die  was  carried  unanimously. 

Attest:  W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

INTERSTATE  JOINT  CONFERENCE. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  January  17,  1899. 

As  per  request  of  the  miners’  convention.  President  M.  D. 
Ratchford  called  the  joint  conference  to  order.  Alexander 
Dempster  was  elected  chairman,  E.  L.  Scroggs  and  W.  C. 
Pearce,  Secretaries. 

On  opening  the  convention.  Chairman  Dempster  made  a 


664 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


few  very  appropriate  remarks,  and  expressed  the  hope  that 
the  joint  contract  would  be  renewed. 

The  committees  appointed  follow ; 

Committee  on  Credentials — Illinois : Operators — J.  T.  Wil- 
liams, Lee  Kincaid;  Miners — W.  R.  Russell,  W.  T.  Morris. 
Indiana:  Operators — A.  M.  Ogle,  Chas.  A.  Eastman;  Miners 
— Emanuel  Dixon,  Samuel  Boskill.  Ohio:  Operators — A. 

Cunningham,  Theo.  Fluhart;  Miners — Albert  Thorp,  W.  H. 
Crawford.  Pennsylvania:  Operators — H.  C.  Bughman,  J.  C. 
Dysart;  Miners — Wm.  Dodds,  Edward  Soppit. 

Committee  on  Rules  and  Regulations — Illinois : Operators 
— C.  E.  Hull,  Richard  Newsam;  Miners — Samuel  Pascoe, 
John  Green.  Indiana:  Operators — J.  S.  Talley,  Chas.  B.  Nib- 
lock  ; Miners — T.  I.  Roberts,  P.  D.  Roberts.  Ohio : Operators 
— J.  B.  Zerbe,  W.  R.  Woodford;  Miners — John  J.  Mossop, 
Frederick  Powell.  Pennsylvania : Operators — Geo.  W. 

Schleuderberg,  G.  L.  Snowden;  Miners — Louis  Goaziou,  James 
Watchorn. 

Upon  motion  the  convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  18,  1899. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Chairman  Dempster 
at  2 o’clock  p.  m. 

The  Committee  on  Credentials,  Theo.  Fluhart,  Chairman-; 
W.  R.  Russell,  Secretary,  reported  the  following  accredited 
delegates. 

Illinois : Operators,  68 ; Miners,  129.  Indiana : Operators, 
18;  Miners,  33.  Ohio:  Operators,  33;  Miners,  77.  Pennsyl- 
vania: Operators,  95;  Miners,  66.  Total,  214.  Delegates 

were  also  reported  from  other  states  as  follows:  Miners: 

Alabama,  5;  Arkansas,  2;  Kansas,  1;  Kentucky,  4;  Iowa,  4; 
Tennessee,  2;  West  Virginia,  4;  Indian  Territoiy,  2.  Opera- 
tors: Kentucky,  4. 

It  was  recommended  by  the  Committee  on  Credentials  that 
all  operators  and  miners  from  the  states  of  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Ohio,  and  Pennsylvania  be  given  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
this  convention,  and  that  the  names  of  delegates  from  other 
states  be  submitted  to  the  convention  without  recommenda- 
tion. 


Interstate  Joint  Conference 


665 


It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Traer,  that  the  part  of  the  report  of 
the  committee  which  gives  the  names  of  the  operators  and 
miners  present  from  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illi- 
nois be  received  and  adopted,  and  that  the  persons  named 
from  these  states  be  accepted  as  delegates  to  this  convention. 

It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Bogle,  to  amend  the  motion  as  fol- 
lows: That  the  delegates  from  other  states  as  read  be  al- 

lowed the  privileges  of  the  floor  of  the  convention  without 
a vote  in  its  deliberations  or  on  the  Scale  Committee. 

After  much  discussion  pro  and  con,  the  chairman  called 
for  a vote  on  the  foregoing  motion  and  amendment  by  states. 
The  operators  from  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois 
voted  in  the  affirmative  and  the  miners  from  those  four  states 
in  the  negative.  The  chairman  ruled  that  the  decision  rested 
with  the  chair,  and  declared  the  motion  and  amendment 
adopted,  and  that  the  delegates  from  the  four  states  consti- 
tute the  delegates  or  members  of  this  convention. 

Mr.  Ratchford  desired  to  enter  a protest  on  the  part  of  the 
miners  against  the  chairman’s  decision. 

By  the  Chair : 

Gentlemen  of  the  convention — I will  state  to  you  my 
reasons  for  the  action  I have  taken : This  convention  was 

called  by  the  four  states  named.  In  a convention,  in  which 
none  of  the  other  states  that  are  asking  to  be  represented  in 
this  floor  were  represented,  this  convention  is  the  result.  And 
if,  as  Mr.  Ratchford  has  put  it,  these  gentlemen  have  been 
invited  to  come  here  to  this  convention,  they  were  not  so  in- 
vited by  the  convention  of  which  this  is  a successor. 

REPORT  OF  committee  ON  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS. 

Your  committee  on  rules  and  regulations  recommend  the 
following  rules  to  govern  the  joint  convention: 

First — That  the  convention  meet  daily  at  9 a.  m.  and  2 p. 
m.,  and  adjourn  at  12  m.  and  5 p.  m. 

Second — Special  meetings  may  be  held  or  evening  sessions, 
if  so  ordered. 

Third — That  the  min,ers’  representatives  occupy  the  left 
side  of  the  hall,  and  the  operators  the  right,  facing  the  stage. 

Fourth — That  each  state  be  allowed  the  same  number  of 


666 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


votes  on  the  floor  of  the  house — four  votes  in  behalf  of  the 
operators,  and  four  votes  in  behalf  of  the  miners  of  each 
state. 

Fifth — That  no  vote  be  declared  carried  unless  upon  the 
affirmative  vote  of  the  miners  and  operators  of  each  state. 

Sixth — That  each  state  represented  in  the  convention  have 
four  operators  and  four  miners  on  the  Scale  Committee,  to 
be  appointed  with  the  understanding  that  each  state  may  have 
an  alternate  for  each  representative,  who  shall  have  all  the 
privileges  of  the  Scale  Committee  but  shall  have  no  vote  ex- 
cept in  the  absence  of  his  principal. 

Seventh — That  sessions  of  the  joint  convention  be  open  to 
the  public,  except  when  otherwise  ordered. 


Order  of  Business. 

First — Report  of  Credential  Committee. 

Second — Report  of  Rules  and  Regulations  Committee. 

Third — Appointment  of  Scale  Committee. 

Fourth — Report  of  Scale  Committee. 

Fifth — Disposal  of  Report  of  Scale  Committee. 

Sixth — Ad  j ournment. 

The  adoption  of  the  foregoing  report  was  moved  by  I\Ir. 
Robbins. 

It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Traer  that  the  report  of  the  Rules 
and  Regulations  Committee,  Rule  5,  be  amended  by  inserting 
and  adding  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  upon  all  questions  of  mere  procedure  the 
ordinary  rules  of  parliamentary  procedure,  as  stated  in  any 
standard  manual,  shall  be  the  rules  of  this  convention;  and 
that  in  no  event  shall  the  rule  requiring  unanimous  vote  on 
all  main  and  principal  questions  be  suspended. 

Mr.  Mitchell — Mr.  Chairman,  I don’t  think  the  convention 
ought  to  adopt  or  make  a rule  that  they  cannot  repeal  them- 
selves, and  that  would  be  about  the  position  that  we  would  be 
in  were  we  to  adopt  a rule  requiring  a unanimous  vote.  That 
is  taking  the  power  away  from  themselves  to  repeal  that  rule. 

Mr.  Garaghty,  of  Illinois — Mr.  Chairman,  no  contract  can 
be  valid  unless  it  is  by  mutual  consent  of  all  parties  to  it,  and 
the  right  to  insist  upon  there  being  no  suspension  of  the  rules 
is  one  of  our  safeguards.  And  Illinois  is  positively  opposed  to 
going  into  this  convention  without  that  understanding. 


Interstate  Joint  Conference 


667 


A yea  and  nay  vote  was  taken  on  Mr.  Traer’s  motion,  the 
operators  from  the  four  states  voting  affirmatively  and  the 
miners  from  these  states  negatively.'  The  chairman  declared 
the  motion  adopted. 

A vote  was  then  taken  upon  the  question  of  approving  and 
adopting  the  report  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  Committee 
as  amended.  The  operators  of  the  four  states  voted  in  the 
affirmative,  the  miners  voting  in  the  negative,  and  the  chair- 
man declared  that  the  report  as  amended  was  approved  and 
adopted  by  the  meeting. 

Mr.  Mitchell  desired  to  record  a protest  against  the  rul- 
ing of  the  chair. 

SELECTION  OF  SCALE  COMMITTEE. 

The  representation  on  the  Scale  Committee  as  selected  by 
the  various  states  and  reported  to  the  meeting,  was  as  fol- 
lows : 

Illinois — Operators : Principals — J.  C.  Simpson,  R.  Smith, 
J.  H.  Garaghty,  A.  L.  Sweet;  Alternates — Chas.  E.  Hull,  F. 
S.  Peabody,  J.  D.  Crabb,  H.  N.  Taylor.  Miners : Principals — 
J.  M.  Hunter,  Wm.  Hefti,  Jos.  Manuel,  Jas.  Boston;  Alter- 
nates— Samuel  Pascoe,  C.  R.  Scurrah,  Edward  Cahill,  Wm. 
Doney. 

Indiarut — Operators:  Principals — W.  S.  Bogle,  J.  K.  Sei- 
fert, C.  B.  Niblock,  Wm.  Risher;  Alternates — R.  S.  Tennant, 
A.  M.  Ogle,  C.  A.  Eastman,  J.  S.  Talley.  Miners : Principals — 
W.  D.  Van  Horn,  T.  I.  Roberts,  B.  Navin,  Phil.  Roberts;  Alter- 
nates— Jas.  Cantwell,  Sami.  Boskill,  T.  E.  Newcomb,  E.  Dixon. 

Ohio — Operators:  Principals — J.  B.  Zerbe,  H.  L.  Chap- 

man, N.  0.  Gray,  W.  R.  Woodford;  Alternates — J.  F.  Pocock, 
Geo.  H.  Smith,  M.  Andrews,  C.  W.  Troll.  Miners:  Principals 
— T.  L.  Lewis,  W.  H.  Crawford,  W.  H.  Haskins,  J.  J.  Mossop ; 
Alternates — E.  S.  McCullough,  D.  H.  Sullivan,  M.  Collins,  G. 
Schackert. 

Pennsylvania — Operators — Principals — Francis  L.  Rob- 
bins, F.  M.  Osborne,  John  H.  Jones,  H.  C.  Bughman;  Alter- 
nates— G.  W.  Schluederberg,  J.  C.  Dysart,  M.  H.  Taylor,  D.  B. 
Blackburn.  Miners:  Principals — P.  Dolan,  W.  Warner,  Ed. 
Soppit,  Thos.  Cavanaugh;  Alternates — Jos.  McGill,  G.  C.  Eck- 
man,  Henry  Walker,  Wm.  Dodds. 


668 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  operators  of  the  convention  expressed  themselves  as 
willing  that  Mr.  Ratchford  and  the  present  national  officers 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  should  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Scale  Committee. 

MORNING  SESSION — THURSDAY,  JANUARY  19,  1899. 

REPORT  OF  SCALE  COMMITTEE. 

Mr.  T.  L.  Lewis  reported  that  the  Scale  Committee  had 
met  and  organized  by  electing  W.  S.  Bogle,  chairman  and 
Robert  J.  Bailey  and  himself  secretaries;  that  the  proposi- 
tions had  been  submitted  by  both  miners  and  operators,  and 
without  discussing  the  same  the  committee  referred  them  to 
the  convention. 

The  proposed  scales  of  both  operators  and  miners  were 
presented  and  discussed  from  January  19th  to  January  24th 
when  the  following  scale  report  was  read : 

REPORT  OF  JOINT  SCALE  COMMITTEE. 

First — Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  agreement  be  adopted 
as  the  agreement  for  the  scale  year  beginning  April  1,  1899, 
and  ending  March  31,  1900.  (See  Chicago  scale  prices  for 
1898.) 

Second — It  is  the  understanding  that  the  machine  ques- 
tion of  Illinois,  outside  of  the  basic  point  (the  Danville  dis- 
trict, where  the  present  prices  shall  continue  in  force)  shall 
be  taken  up  by  the  Illinois  State  Convention  for  adjustment, 
by  conciliation  or  arbitration;  providing  an  agreement  can 
not  be  arrived  at  in  the  Illinois  State  Convention  the  question 
at  issue  shall  be  referred  to  a board  of  arbitration  of  seven 
members,  three  to  be  selected  by  Illinois  operators,  and  three 
by  the  United  Mine  Workers;  the  six  so  selected  to  appoint 
the  seventh  member. 

The  question  to  be  arbitrated  being  whether  or  not  the 
various  districts  of  Illinois  are  entitled  to  any  reduction  in 
the  Springfield  scale  differentials,  as  against  Danville,  the  bas- 
ing point ; and  if  so  how  much. 

It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  arbitration,  if  resorted  to, 
shall  be  proceeded  with  at  a date  to  be  agreed  upon  at  the 
Springfield  convention. 


Interstate  Joint  Conference 


669 


Mr.  Bogle  moved  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  report. 

The  question  of  agreeing  on  the  scale  and  conditions  pre- 
sented by  the  committee  was  discussed  at  great  length. 
Messrs.  Doney,  Lewis,  President  Mitdhell,  ex-President  Ratch- 
ford,  Dolan,  Penna,  Robbins,  McKay  and  Bogle  participating, 
until  at  the  night  session  action  was  taken  as  follows : 

NIGHT  SESSION — TUESDAY,  JANUARY  24,  1899. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  the  chairman,  and 
proceeded  to  vote  upon  the  adoption  of  the  Scale  Committee’s 
report. 

Mr.  Niblock — Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  this  Con- 
vention : The  Indiana  block-coal  operators  regret  exceedingly 
the  position  they  are  now  placed  in,  but  information  has  been 
brought  to  our  attention  • today  that  an  agreement  has  been 
made  that  notwithstanding  certain  districts  shall  sign  the  Chi- 
cago scale  and  Columbus  scale  they  will  be  permitted  to  con- 
tinue to  work  at  wages  below  the  day-wage  scale  fixed  by  that 
arrangement;  and,  as  this  particular  district  comes  in  active 
competition  with  us,  and  are  now  working  at  a scale  below 
that  fixed  in  our  district,  we  are  compelled  to  respectfully 
withdraw  from  the  convention.  We  cannot  be  a party  to  an 
agreement  that  provides  for  something  that  a secret  agree- 
ment will  nullify  in  any  special  district.  The  block  operators, 
therefore,  refuse  to  vote,  and  withdraw  from  the  convention, 
in  the  face  of  this  secret  agreement.  We  do  this  because  we 
do  not  care  to  stand  as  obstructionists  before  the  convention 
and  interfere  with  an  adjustment  in  other  districts. 

A motion  that  the  block  operators  have  the  right  to  with- 
draw their  vote  was  unanimously  carried. 

Mr.  Dolan  (Upon  the  call  for  the  Pennsylvania  miners’ 
vote) — Mr.  Chairman:  The  Pittsburg  district  miners  vote 

“Yes,”  with  the  understanding  that  where  those  operators  are 
running  this  double  system  it  shall  cease  at  once;  if  not,  it 
shall  be  annulled. 

The  Chairman — The  chair  will  decide  that  the  vote  does 
not  depend  on  the  present  action  of  the  operators. 

After  the  vote  was  taken,  the  chairman  announced  that  the 
report  of  the  Scale  Committee  is  unanimously  adopted. 

Mr.  Lewis  moved  the  appointment  of  a committee  of  two 
operators  and  two  miners  from  each  state,  together  with  the 


670 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


officers  of  the  Miners’  National  Organization,  to  draw  up  and 
execute  a contract  and  scale  immediately  after  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  convention.  This  was  unanimously  adopted,  and 
the  following  committee  selected : 

Operators:  Illinois — S.  M.  Dalzell,  J.  H.  Garaghty;  Indi- 
ana— J.  S.  Talley,  W.  S.  Bogle;  Ohio — J.  B.  Zerbe,  N.  0.  Gray; 
Pennsylvania — G.  W.  Schluederberg,  C.  L.  Snowden. 

Miners:  Illinois — J.  H.  Hunter,  W.  D.  Ryan;  Indiana 

(bituminous) — W.  D.  Van  Horn,  J.  H.  Kennedy;  (Block)  — 
B.  Navin,  P.  D.  Roberts;  Ohio — T.  L.  Lewis,  W.  H.  Haskins; 
Pennsylvania — P.  Dolan,  William  Warner;  and  the  national 
officers  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Upon  motion  offered  by  Mr.  Dalzell,  and  adopted,  Mr.  C. 
L.  Scroggs  and  Mr.  W.  C.  Pearce  were  chosen  secretaries  of 
the  above  committee. 

The  chairman  announced  that  the  committee  would  meet 
at  the  Monongahela  House  immediately  after  the  adjournment 
of  the  convention. 

The  thanks  of  the  convention  were  extended  to  the  pre- 
siding officer  and  the  Secretaries,  and  a motion  adopted  with- 
out dissent,  that  the  next  Interstate  Convention  be  held  in 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  beginning  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  Jan- 
uary, 1900. 

Mr.  Dalzell  moved  a vote  of  thanks  to  the  members  of  the 
Scale  Committee,  on  behalf  of  miners  and  operators  alike,  for 
the  service  they  have  rendered.  This  was  adopted. 

Mr.  Robbins  moved  that  a committee  of  four  operators 
(one  from  each  state),  and  four  miners  (one  from  each  state), 
be  appointed  to  consider  this  question  and  report  to  the  opera- 
tors and  miners  of  the  various  states  their  decision;  and  if 
they  favor  such  a joint  board,  how  it  should  be  formed,  and 
let  all  states  then  take  action  on  their  report.  This  was 
adopted. 

Mr.  Ratchford—lrv  order  to  cover  the  situation,  I will  offer 
a substitute  for  the  whole.  I move  you,  sir,  that  it  is  the 
sense  of  the  Chicago  agreement  that  discrimination  shall  not 
be  practiced  in  the  loading  or  dumping  of  coal  either  bj^  the 
miners  or  by  the  operator. 

The  Chwirrtian — All  in  favor  of  the  motion  will  say  aye  as 
their  names  are  called;  this  being  a modification  or  interpre- 


Tenth  Annual  Convention,  District  12 


671 


tation  of  the  Chicago  agreement,  we  will  call  for  the  ayes  and 
nays.  (Carried  unanimously.) 

The  Chairman — The  miners  and  operators  will  please  ap- 
point the  members  of  this  committee  that  has  been  named  and 
hand  the  names  to  Mr.  Pearce,  the  Secretary. 

The  chair,  by  request  of  Mr.  Pearce,  asked  that  all  dele- 
gates stand  up  and  join  in  singing  “America,”  which  was 
done,  after  which  the  motion  to  adjourn  was  voted  upon  and 
carried. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  C.  L.  Scroggs,  Secretaries. 

Alexander  Dempster,  Chairman. 

BLOOMINGTON,  ILLINOIS,  AGPvEEMENT. 

Made  and  entered  into  this  8th  day  of  February,  A.  D. 
1899,  by  and  between  the  McLean  County  Coal  Company,  of 
Bloomington,  Illinois,  of  the  first  part,  and  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  of  the  second  part,  viz. : That  it  is 

hereby  agreed  and  understood  that  the  party  of  the  first  part 
agrees  to  adopt  the  agreement  as  made  by  the  joint  conven- 
tion of  operators  and  miners  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  January  24, 
1899,  said  agreement  to  take  effect  from  March  5,  1899,  and 
continue  in  force  to  March  31,  1900. 

TENTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION— DISTRICT  12. 

February  27,  1899. 

The  tenth  annual  convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  Illinois  was  called  to  order  today  by  State  President  John 
M.  Hunter,  with  Secretary  W.  D.  Ryan  in  his  official  position. 

President  Hunter  introduced  Mayor  Wheeler,  of  Spring- 
field,  who  made  the  address  of  welcome. 

President  Hunter  responded,  calling  National  President 
Mitchell  to  the  chair. 

P.  J.  Keenan,  chairman  of  the  credential  committee,  stated 
that  the  committee  would  like  further  time  until  1 :30  p.  m. 
before  making  a report,  which  extension  of  time  was  granted. 

President  Hunter  then  introduced  James  H.  Bowman, 
President  of  the  International  Printing  Pressmen  of  North 
America.  He  addressed  the  convention  relating  to  the  boy- 
cott now  on  the  Chicago  News  and  Record. 


672 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Joseph  Payne,  President  of  the  Box  Makers  and  Sawyers, 
said  he  came  here  to  thank  the  grandest  and  noblest  labor 
organization  in  America  today,  for  the  aid  it  has  given  the 
box  makers  and  sawyers,  “for  by  your  aid,”  said  he,  “you  have 
made  it  possible  for  us  to  compel  three  of  the  largest  whole- 
sale houses  in  Chicago  to  use  union-made  boxes.  I want  to 
ask  you  to  aid  the  pressmen  of  Chicago  in  their  effort  to  better 
their  conditions  on  the  News  and  Record.” 

At  this  point  a member  of  the  National  Organization  of 
Hoisting  Engineers,  asked  permission  to  present  a package 
and  message  to  State  President  Hunter  from  that  organiza- 
tion, which  proved  to  be  a gavel.  It  was  accompanied  by  the 
following  resolution : 

The  Hoisting  Engineers,  in  convention,  wish  to  present 
to  John  M.  Hunter,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
a gavel,  made  from  the  cross  plate  of  the  gate  that  swung 
open  at  Virden  to  admit  the  scab  miners.  It  is  also  from  the 
piece  which  the  ex-Chicago  policeman  caught  hold  of  as  he 
was  falling,  when  he  received  the  shot  which  carried  him  to 
his  death. 

President  Hunter  made  a fitting  response,  after  which 
President  Mitchell  was  introduced  and  spoke  in  part  as  fol- 
lows : 

The  last  time  I was  in  your  city  it  was  under  different 
conditions  than  those  that  prevail  at  the  present  time. 

In  another  brick  building,  over  to  my  right,  we  had  “scabs” 
who  had  been  taken  in  charge  by  our  brothers  here,  who  had 
come  to  take  the  places  of  union  men,  and  for  which  three 
union  men  gave  up  their  lives  to  defend.  They  sacrificed  their 
lives  that  you  might  better  your  condition. 

Many  of  you  then,  in  the  heat  of  the  strife,  thought  you 
must  have  vengeance  on  the  cause  of  your  loss,  but,  under 
our  advice  and  counsel,  you  refrained. 

But  things  have  changed,  and  I am  proud  to  be  back  among 
my  Illinois  brothers  who  have  stood  by  me  when  I was  being 
criminated  and  recriminated  at  Pittsburg  until  every  charge 
had  been  refuted.  Again,  I say  I am  proud  to  come  back  to 
Illinois  as  your  National  President,  all  of  which  honor  has  been 
bestowed  upon  me  by  your  steadfastness,  knowing  me  as  you 
had  learned  to  know  by  association,  when  we  were  passing 
through  the  trying  times  of  ’96  and  ’97,  when  we  were  build- 
ing up  the  strongest  state  organization  in  the  United  States 
of  America.  Yet  we  have  many  conditions  to  meet.  We  have 


Tenth  Annual  Convention,  District  12 


673 


not  gat  smooth  sailing  all  along  the  line.  Things  at  Valley 
‘Creek  and  in  Hocking  Valley  district  are  not  yet  settled.  In 
the  Indian  Territory  the  operators  combined  to  take  every 
privilege  possible  away  from  our  brothers,  that  should  be  ac- 
corded an  American  citizen.  If,  in  those  districts  they  should 
succeed  in  carrying  out  their  plans  of  a reduction  of  5 cents 
per  ton,  you  must  fall  with  them ; but,  if  all  are  as  loyal  as  the 
Illinois  men,  there  shall  not  be  a pound  of  coal  dug  in  those 
districts. 

Last  Wednesday  I met  the  operators  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
or  Chapman  district,  and  they  refused  to  sign.  They  made  the 
above  proposition,  and  it  was  promptly  rejected.  We  must 
now  sustain  these  miners,  if,  in  April,  the  operators  do  not 
sign,  even  if  we  have  a strike  in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky, Iowa  and  Illinois. 

The  time  may  come  when  we  will  have  to  appeal  to  Illi- 
nois to  assist  in  sustaining  our  brothers,  and  when  we  do, 
I assure  you  it  will  not  be  spent  for  brass  bands. 

You  have  some  grievances  to  settle,  and  by  the  Pittsburg 
agreement,  you  are  bound  to  submit  to  it.  The  differential  of 
7 cents  between  pick  and  machine  mining  will,  in  all  probabil- 
ity, have  to  be  submitted  to  the  arbitration  committee,  and  I 
am  not  against  it,  for  I believe  that  justice  is  on  our  side. 

In  my  travels  over  the  various  states  I never  have  met  men 
who  love  their  organization  as  do  the  men  of  Illinois.  You  are 
the  strongest  state  by  many  thousands,  and  are  in  a position 
to  get  what  you  want. 

As  your  National  President  I shall  never  allow  the  troubles 
that  have  passed  in  other  states  against  me  to  make  one  iota 
of  difference  in  my  conduct,  no  matter  how  hard  they  may  at- 
tempt to  stigmatize  my  character.  When  I have  finished  my 
term  of  office  I shall  return  to  Illinois  and  take  up  my  pick 
among  you.  I thank  you  one  and  all. 

Secretary  Ryan  spoke  as  follows : 

I am  not  going  to  take  up  your  time.  I will  simply  make 
a skeleton  slatmill  on  my  report.  I am  not  going  to  throw 
any  more  bouquets  at  you.  I think  you  have  had  enough.  All 
I want  to  say  is,  we  have  gone  along  without  any  jar.  We 
have  had  our  fight  and  come  out  victorious  and  let  us  in  the 
next  year  do  as  well.  I want  to  say  that  I have  been  entrusted 
with  the  handling  of  a greater  sum  of  money  than  any  other 
man  in  the  United  States,  in  labor  organizations,  and  with  the 
smallest  bond.  I appreciate  the  confidence  bestowed,  and  I 
trust  you  will  find  it  has  not  been  misplaced.  This  is  only 
a partial  report.  This  afternoon  I want  to  give  a detailed 
report.  I thank  you  for  the  hearty  co-operation  you  have 
given  me  the  past  year. 


674 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Total  receipts  for  1898,  $200,169.34;  Disbursements — Re- 
lief, $132,620.49;  Officers’  salaries  and  field  work,  $16,329.36. 
Total  disbursements — $148,949.85;  leaving  a cash  balance  on 
hand  of  $51,219.49. 

This  report  was  a genuine  surprise  to  everyone,  and  the 
officers  are  receiving  congratulations  from  the  delegates  and 
should  receive  congratulations  from  every  miner  in  Illinois. 

The  organization  in  Illinois  which  in  the  last  two  years  has 
grown  from  the  weakest  to  the  strongest  organization  in  any 
of  the  competitive  states,  now  numbers  about  30,000  miners. 
Two  districts,  Bloomington  and  Decatur,  have  been  organized 
since  the  national  convention. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  committees : 

Rules — Thomas  Jeremiah,  Jas.  Hicks,  F.  McGurk. 

Resolutions — D.  Higgins,  W.  Smith,  Ed.  Cahill,  David 
Youths,  J.  Harrison. 

Auditing  Committee — Wm.  Hefti,  J.  Manuel,  H.  C.  Bell. 

Grievance  Committee — H.  Schutter,  Thomas  Irvin,  Thomas 
Gallagher,  John  Graham,  J.  Rourke. 

Committee  on  Constitution — J.  Stanley,  Joe  Pope,  Jas. 
Burns,  E.  Boycott,  C.  Hicks. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

At  the  afternoon  session  the  credential*  committee  reported 
227  delegates  entitled  to  seats,  with  a voting  power  of  269. 

The  report  was  received  and  the  committee  continued. 

It  was  decided  to  take  a recess,  and  that  the  delegates  from 
the  seven  sub-districts  in  the  state  meet  and  elect  three  dele- 
gates each  to  act  on  the  Scale  Committee. 

On  re-convening  the  following  were  elected  to  serre  on 
this  Scale  Committee: 

First  District — D.  Williams,  M.  Welch,  D.  McDonald. 
Second — Charles  Schwarting,  Samuel  Palmer,  Gilbert  Coch- 
ran. Third — Samuel  Pascoe,  J.  L.  Smith,  S.  J.  Young.  Fourth 
— William  Johnson,  Jos.  Hart,  Tim  Downey.  Fifth — D.  Kline, 
Thomas  Matteson,  Ed.  Cahill.  Sixth — Wm.  Hefti,  Jos.  Pope; 
Thomas  Reynolds.  Seventh — Wm.  F.  Morris,  Thomas  Laun- 
ders, David  Jones. 


Tenth  Annual  Convention,  District  12 


675 


State  President  Hunter  reviewed  the  work  of  the  past  two 
years.  He  said : 

Brothers,  it  is  needless  for  me  to  remind  you  of  our  troubles 
during  the  past  two  years.  We  have  been  dealing  with 
economic  questions  and  conditions.  Today  we  are  in  our 
strength,  and  peace  is  with  us.  Tomorrow  it  may  be  all  tur- 
moil and  excitement,  and  blood  may  flow  as  it  did  at  Virden; 
but  we  pray  to  God  that  such  may  never  again  occur  in  this 
glorious  State  of  Illinois. 

I need  not  tell  you  that  when  your  present  officers  took 
hold  of  your  organization  we  had  to  sell  the  furniture  to  buy 
postage.  The  treasury  was  depleted,  and  we  had  to  procure 
help  from  a Streator  local  and  take  your  Secretary-Treasurer’s 
receipt  for  money  in  advance  from  this  local  to  start  business 
with.  Note  the  difference  today.  By  your  generosity  and  able 
assistance  we  have  gone  through  the  greatest  struggle  ever 
known,  and  today  you  have  received  over  $200,000  and  spent 
nearly  $150,000  and  have  a handsome  balance  in  your  treasury 
of  over  $50,000. 

The  forenoon  of  the  second  day’s  session  was  taken  up  in 
the  discussion  of  the  case  of  the  Catlin  local. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Officers  elected:  John  M.  Hunter,  President;  Vice-Presi- 
dent, W.  R.  Russell;  Secretary-Treasurer,  W.  D.  Ryan. 

Next  came  the  election  of  the  executive  board,  and  the  fol- 
lowing delegates  were  elected : 

First  District — W.  E.  Smith;  Second,  James  Beattie; 
Third,  Samuel  Pascoe;  Fourth,  Eugene  Zellers;  Fifth,  Ed. 
Cahill;  Sixth,  Thos.  J.  Reynolds;  Seventh,  Thos.  Jeremiah. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

THIRD  day’s  session. 

The  morning  session  of  the  miners  was  consumed  listening 
to  the  reports  of  President  Thomas  Williamson  and  Secretary 
Davis,  of  the  Widows’  and  Orphans’  Benefit  Fund,  which  was 
created  by  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  after  the 
killing  of  miners  in  the  Virden  riots. 

This  Association  has  gone  along  the  same  line  of  progress 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  has  made  in  the  past 
two  years.  It  has  taken  care  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
the  men  who  laid  down  their  lives  for  the  cause. 


676 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Secretary-Treasurer  Davis’  report  shows  that  he  has  re- 
ceivied  $17,523.94,  and  paid  out  $3,995.97,  leaving  a balance 
on  hand  of  $12,527.97,  and  money  is  still  coming  in  from  many 
sources. 

The  officers  recommended  to  the  convention  that  in  place 
of  building  a monument  of  cold  marble,  they  build  homes  and 
maintain  the  families. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  joint  convention  on  reconvening  at  1:30  in  the  after- 
noon called  for  reports  of  committees. 

The  committee  on  rules  failed  to  agree.  Mr.  Moorshead, 
for  the  operators,  brought  in  the  recommendation  for  a unit 
rule  on  all  questions,  while  the  miners  brought  in  one  asking 
for  a majority  vote  to  settle  all  questions.  This  the  operators 
refused  and  fought.  The  miners  then  requested  the  operators 
to  amend  their  report,  so  that  by  a two-thirds  vote  they 
could  suspend  the  rules  and  vote  by  majority,  when  it  was 
found  that  the  majority  were  in  favor  of  any  question. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered : 

Whereas,  There  has  been  great  difficulty  in  the  collection 
of  dues  and  assessments,  for  the  benefit  of  the  organization; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  whenever  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America  wish  to  have  the  same  checked  off  through  the  com- 
pany office  that  the  same  must  be  complied  with  by  the  com- 
pany. 

Carried. 

House  Bill,  No.  15,  entitled  “An  act  to  protect  the  lives 
and  limbs  of  miners  from  the  dangers  resulting  from  incompe- 
tent miners  working  in  the  mines  of  the  State,  and  to  provide 
for  the  examination  of  persons  seeking  employment  as  miners 
in  this  State,  and  to  prevent  the  employment  of  incompetent 
persons  in  coal  mines,  and  providing  penalties  for  a violation 
of  the  same,”  was  brought  before  the  convention  for  consid- 
eration by  Hon.  John  R.  Greene,  a miner,  and  Hon.  William 
Mooney,  the  organization’s  attorney,  who  has  been  working 
faithfully  for  the  laws  pertaining  to  labor.  The  bill  contained 


Tenth  Annual  Convention,  District  12 


677 


this  clause:  “That  a miner’s  term  of  competency  shall  be 

five  years,” 

This,  both  the  gentlemen  thought,  was  too  great  a length 
of  time,  and  they  desired  that  an  expression  of  the  convention 
be  given  before  sending  the  bill  to  the  Senate,  and  advised 
that  it  be  amended  to  two  years. 

It  was  moved  to  have  the  bill  amended  from  five  years  to 
two  years,  and  that  miners  who  have  served  sufficient  time,, 
be  granted  service  certificates.  Carried, 

National  President  Mitchell  moved  that  Brother  Mooney 
draft  an  amendment  to  the  bill,  so  as  to  admit  of  apprentice- 
ship. Carried. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

FOURTH  DAY — MORNING  SESSION. 

The  joint  conference  of  miners  and  operators  was  called 
to  order,  and  National  President  Mitchell,  of  the  Miners’ 
Union,  at  once  made  a motion  that  the  report  of  the  miners’ 
scale  committee  be  read  to  the  convention,  which  was  adopted. 

Several  changes  were  made.  First  District,  the  price 
asked  for  is:  Streator,  Clark  City  and  associated  mines,  51 
cents;  third  vein,  including  24-inch  brushing,  67  cents;  Wil- 
mington and  associated  mines,  including  Bloomington,  72 
cents;  Bloomington,  thick  vein,  67  cents — an  advance  of  4 
cents  over  the  old  scale.  At  Pontiac,  thick  vein,  an  increase  of 
8 cents,  this  to  include  third  vein  conditions.  Pontiac  top  vein 
was  placed  at  55  cents. 

In  the  Third  District,  Lincoln,  the  price  asked  for  is 
45  7-10  cents.  It  was  42^  cents. 

In  the  Fourth  District  the  prices  remain  the  same,  except 
at  Mouiqua,  where  room  or  pillar  work  was  raised  from 
421/2  cents  to  45  7-10  cents,  and  at  Decatur,  where  there  was 
no  price  last  year,  on  account  of  the  matter  being  referred  to 
the  State  officers.  This  year  the  miners  ask  55  cents. 

In  the  Sixth  District,  at  Salem  and  Kimundy,  48  cents  is 
asked.  This  is  a raise  of  7 cents  over  the  old  scale. 

In  the  Eighth  District,  Fulton  and  Peoria  counties,  thin 
vein,  with  third  vein  conditions,  a raise  of  4 cents  is  asked, 
making  the  price  67  cents.  In  the  thick  vein,  49  cents.  This 


678 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


is  also  a raise  of  4 cents.  In  Mercer  county,  Gilchrist  and 
Wanlock,  which  was  50  cents,  is  now  55  cents. 

These  prices  are  all  based  on  pick  mining  prices  per  ton 
of  2,000  pounds,  run  of  mine  coal,  and  same  conditions  as  in 
the  contract  of  January  27,  1898. 

At  Spring  Hill,  Streator,  the  price  was  fixed  at  57  cents 
for  room  and  pillar  work;  brushing,  6-foot  entries,  $1  and 
14-foot  entries,  75  cents  per  yard  at  this  mine. 

The  day  scale  has  but  few  changes.  Blacksmiths  were  re- 
duced from  $2.50  to  $2.25  per  day.  Tracklayers  were  raised 
from  $2.15  to  $2.25;  bottom  cagers  from  $2  to  $2.25;  timber- 
men  from  $2.15  to  $2.25.  These  prices  are  all  based  on  eight 
hours’  work  per  day. 

The  following  resolutions  were  presented: 

Resolved,  That  the  miners  of  the  State  of  Illinois  are  to  be 
paid  every  two  weeks,  allowing  one  week  in  hand. 

That  the  price  for  turning  branch  in  third  vein  and  asso- 
ciated mines  of  Northern  Illinois  be  $5,  and  the  company  to 
put  in  cage  and  do  the  brushing. 

That  the  charge  for  blacksmithing  throughout  the  entire 
State  of  Illinois  should  be  % cent  per  ton,  except  in  case  of 
long  wall  mines,  when  the  price  for  blacksmithing  shall  be 
5 cents  per  pay  or  10  cents  per  month,  all  machine  mines  to  be 
exempt. 

That  the  price  of  powder  be  $1.50  per  keg  where  it  is 
bought  at  the  mine.  But  any  miner  shall  enjoy  the  State  law 
and  buy  his  powder  where  he  pleases. 

That  based  upon  the  present  cost  the  maximum  price  of 
miners’  oil  throughout  the  State  of  Illinois  shall  be  45  cents 
per  gallon,  and  that  oil  sold  at  that  price  shall  stand  the  test 
as  provided  by  law,  and  that  the  men  shall  have  the  privilege 
to  buy  where  they  please. 

That  prices  for  opening  rooms  in  third  vein  and  associated 
mines  be  $1  per  yard,  face  measurement. 

That  the  hour  for  beginning  work  in  the  morning  be  left 
for  local  settlement.  The  above  scale  is  based  on  an  eight- 
hour  day. 

Whereas,  It  is  an  evident  fact  that  the  machine  miners 
outside  of  the  basing  point  (namely  Danville),  enjoy  a better 
privilege  in  the  way  of  a larger  per  cent  of  a high  grade  coal 
as  against  the  pick  mining  in  said  parts  or  districts,  we,  the 
miners,  ask  in  the  spirit  of  justice  to  the  pick  miners  that  the 
present  differential  now  existing  in  the  different  districts, 
be  reduced. 


Tenth  Annual  Convention,  District  12  679 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  reading  of  the  Miners’  scale, 
Operator  George  W.  Traer  arose  and  stated  that  the  Operators’ 
scale  was  not  in  detail,  but  that  it  proposed  the  re-enactment 
of  the  prices  and  conditions  contained  in  the  Springfield  agree- 
ment of  1898,  as  being  supplemental  to  and  part  of  the  Chi- 
cago agreement,  which  was  enacted  at  the  Pittsburg  confer- 
ence, except  that  the  machine  mining  throughout  the  State  be 
placed  on  the  same  mathematical  ratio  as  to  pick  mining  in 
the  respective  districts — as  machine  to  pick  mining  in  the 
Danville  field — and  except  that  shearing  machines  should  be 
placed  on  the  same  basis  agreed  at  the  Danville  meeting,  held 
in  that  city  in  April,  1898. 

National  President  Mitchell  then  proposed  that  the  joint 
committee  go  into  session  and  discuss  the  scale. 

President  Hunter  arose  and  read  the  following  resolution: 

Whereas,  It  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  convention 
that  Messrs.  Hilbert,  Gilman  and  Underwood,  identified  with 
the  mining  interests,  were  unjustly  convicted  of  the  crime  of 
manslaughter,  at  the  October  term  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Vermillion  county,  and  sentenced  to  the  Chester  penitentiary 
for  the  term  of  one  year ; 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  convention,  the 
indictments  in  the  said  trial,  connected  the  said  parties  to  the 
crimes  for  which  they  were  convicted;  therefore  we  respect- 
fully petition  his  excellency,  John  R.  Tanner,  to  aid  the  cause 
by  issuing  an  order  for  their  immediate  pardon. 

The  resolution  was  adopted  amid  cheers  from  both  sides 
of  the  hall.  Several  of  the  operators  stated  that  they  had  re- 
ceived assurances  that  it  would  be  granted. 

The  joint  conference  then  adjourned,  and  the  scale  com- 
mittee went  into  session. 

The  operators  at  once  moved  the  ratification  of  the  Chicago 
agreement,  but  it  failed  to  pass  when  put  to  a vote. 

President  Mitchell  moved  that  the  scale  be  taken  up  by 
districts  and  voted  on.  He  closed  by  asking  that  the  mining 
price  in  the  First  District  be  raised  from  47  cents  to  51  cents 
per  ton,  but  no  vote  was  received  from  the  operators  and  the 
motion  was  lost. 

After  arguments  pro  and  con  the  convention  adjourned. 


680 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  miners’  convention  convened  at  1:30,  and  Secretary 
Ryan  made  the  following  summary : . 

At  the  following  named  places  strikes  were  won : Auburn, 
Desoto,  Chatham,  Centralia,  Coulterville,  Girard,  Greenridge, 
Kewanee,  Milewood,  Niantic,  Oakwood,  Roseborough,  Percy, 
Petersburg,  Pleasant  Plains,  Sparta,  Sandoval,  Sorento,  Vir- 
den,  Odin,  Farmington. 

Strikes,  were  lost  at  Auburn,  Carterville  and  Ledford. 

Compromised : Taylorville,  Dumfermline,  Tamaroa. 

Yet  on  strike:  Carterville  (shaft  burned  down),  Hills- 

boro, Dubois,  Pana.  Scabs  are  working  in  Litchfield  and  union 
men  working  elsewhere. 

Arbitrated : Mt.  Vernon. 

At  Worden,  no  relief  and  men  working  elsewhere. 

Summary — Strikes  lost,  three;  still  on  strike,  seven,  with 
ten  mines  in  them ; strikes  that  were  settled  without  receiving 
relief  and  settled  satisfactorily,  Belleville  local  union  99;  Ed- 
wardsville,  Minonk,  Winona  and  Witt.  There  have  been  sev- 
eral other  places  where  we  have  had  trouble  but  they  were 
settled  after  a short  period  of  idleness.  There  have  been 
strikes  in  forty  mines  of  such  duration  that  relief  had  to  be 
sent.  At  present  relief  is  being  sent  to  the  miners  of  ten 
mines,  making  an  expenditure  for  relief  amounting  to  $3,780 
per  week. 

The  miners  of  Toluca,  having  been  pushing  the  coal  from 
rooms  to  the  switch  the  past  year,  which  is  in  violation  of  the 
constitution,  it  was  moved  the  state  officers  take  the  matter 
up  at  once  and  bring  them  to  a speedy  complance  with  the 
law.  Carried. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

FIFTH  DAY — MORNING  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order,  with  Vice-President  Russell  in 
the  chair. 

The  resolutions  committee  reported  a resolution  against 
the  forking  of  coal. 

Also  one  providing  that  miners  leasing  mines  pay  such 
dues  and  assessments  as  the  organization  calls  for.  Carried. 

There  being  five  delegates  to  be  elected  to  the  State  Federa- 
tion of  Labor,  it  was  moved  that  the  convention  proceed  to 
elect  said  delegates,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 


Tenth  Annual  Convention,  District  12 


681 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

At  the  afternoon  session  the  following  delegates  to  the 
State  Federation  of  Labor  were  elected:  Wm.  Hefti,  R.  H. 
Kelly,  W.  T.  Morris,  James  Boston,  Ed.  Cahill.  Alternates — 
D.  McDonald,  Wm.  Topham,  H.  Cartwright,  Wm.  Monahan, 
J.  Taylor. 

The  constitutional  committee  adopted  a resolution  that  the 
uniform  initiation  fee,  to  prevail  throughout  the  State  for  all 
miners  at  present  employed  in  the  mines,  and  not  in  the  organ- 
ization, be  $5.00;  for  all  men  entering  any  mine  for  the  first 
time  to  work,  $20.00;  for  boys  (other  than  miners’  sons),  en- 
tering the  mines,  between  the  ages  of  14  and  17  years,  $2.50 ; 
all  other  miners’  sons,  at  the  age  of  14  years,  to  enter  said 
mines  free  of  charge. 

The  other  change  was  the  increase  of  the  Secretary-Treas- 
urer’s bond.  This  was  raised  from  $1,000  to  $10,000.  He  is 
to  make  a quarterly  report  and  the  same  shall  be  published  in 
the  United  Mine  Workers’  Journal. 

■ The  convention  adjourned  to  meet  at  7 :30  p.  m. 

EVENING  SESSION. 

The  evening  session  of  the  miners  was  called  to  order  by 
President  Hunter.  Jos.  Pope,  miner,  secretary  of  the  joint 
scale  committee,  stated  that  the  committee  had  failed  to  reach 
an  agreement.  He  said  that  after  every  effort,  the  members 
had  concluded  to  lay  the  matter  before  the  convention  for  ad- 
vice. They  had  carried  the  matter  to  such  a point  that  Oper- 
ator Taylor  introduced  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that,  inas- 
much as  the  settlement  at  Pittsburg  fixed  the  mining  rules  in 
the  competitive  states,  east  of  Illinois,  on  the  same  basis  that 
they  have  operated  under  during  the  past  year,  that  the  same 
conditions  prevail  in  Illinois,  both  as  regards  mining  prices 
and  conditions,  and  that  the  only  question  which  properly 
comes  before  the  convention  is  with  regard  to  the  adjustment 
of  differentials  for  machine  mining,  provided  for  in  the  Pitts- 
burg agreement,  and  in  case  this  can  not  be  settled  at  this 
convention  that  a board  of  arbitration  be  appointed  by  this 
convention. 

The  vote  of  the  operators  was  divided — 4 ayes  and  4 nays. 


682 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  chair  declared  it  carried,  Chairman  Traer,  operator,  mak- 
ing the  deciding  vote. 

Convention  then  adjourned. 

SIXTH  DAY’S  SESSION. 

Meeting  called  to  order  by  President  Hunter. 

The  constitution  committee  reported  an  amendment  to  the 
constitution  providing  for  the  election  of  officers  by  popular 
vote,  which  was  carried  after  a heated  discussion. 

The  grievance  committee  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Whereas,  There  are  several  places  in  the  State  where  the 
miners  are  compelled  to  fill  up  breaks  or  suffer  for  the  want 
of  air  at  the  working  place ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  system  be  abolished  at  once. 

This  was  concurred  in. 

P.  H.  Straghen,  W.  T.  Morris  and  J.  Pope  were  elected 
auditors,  and  Wm.  McGahey,  Duncan  McDonald  and  P.  J. 
Keenan  were  elected  alternates. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  until  Tuesday  morning, 
when  the  joint  conference  will  convene. 

SEVENTH  day’s  SESSION. 

Joint  conference  met  and  adjourned  until  tomorrow  morn- 
ing. 

The  miners  met  as  usual.  State  President  John  Hunter 
presiding.  Reports  from  the  various  committees  were  read  to 
the  convention,  mainly  to  remedy  evils  that  exist  in  the  differ- 
ent districts.  The  constitutional  committee  reported  an  amend- 
ment to  the  constitution  to  the  effect  that  any  member  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  who  leaves  the  mine  to  pursue  another 
vocation  for  a livelihood,  must  pay  all  dues  and  assessments 
that  are  levied  upon  him  to  retain  his  good  standing  in  that 
organization.  This  was  adopted  by  the  delegates. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  until  Wednesday  morning. 

The  eighth  day’s  sessions  were  taken  up  in  discussing  the 
scale  as  presented  by  the  operators,  and  resulted  in  no  definite 
conclusions  being  reached. 

At  the  ninth  day’s  session  (Friday,  March  10)  the  scale 
was  agreed  to  and  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 


Iowa  Joint  Agreement,  1899 


683 


DISTRICT  13,  IOWA— CENTERVILLE  JOINT 
AGREEMENT. 

, March  9,  1899. 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  9th  day  of 
March,  1899,  at  Centerville,  Iowa,  by  and  between  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  convention  assembled,  party  of 
the  first  part,  and  the  undersigned  coal  operators  of  the  low- 
coal  district  known  as  Sub-district  No.  1 of  District  No.  13  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  party  of  the  second 
party, 

Witnesseth,  That  the  annual  price  for  pick  mining  shall 
be  85  cents  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds  screened  coal  over  the 
screens  now  in  use  from  March  1,  1899,  to  February  28,  1900, 
and  that  hand-picked  coal  be  considered  under  this  agreement 
as  screened  coal. 

2.  That  the  pay  be  semi-monthly. 

3.  That  the  long-wall  machine  question  be  submitted  for 
arbitration  to  a judge  of  the  Second  Judicial  District  of  the 
State  of  Iowa,  who  shall  render  a decision  not  later  than  April 
1,  1899,  said  decision  to  be  binding  on  all  parties  and  is  hereby 
made  a part  of  this  agreement. 

4.  That  the  miner  keep  and  be  responsible  for  his  road- 
way, measuring  twenty  feet  outward  from  the  face  of  the 
coal,  and  also  in  the  long-wall  work  to  keep  his  wall  in  good 
order  for  the  agreed  distance.  Corner-cutting  in  long-wall 
work  to  be  50  cents  per  yard,  the  miner  to  deliver  his  coal  at 
his  own  switch. 

5.  Eight  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work. 

The  United  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

By  John  F.  Ream,  President  Dist.  No.  13. 

John  P.  Reese,  Vice-President. 

Operators : Big  Jo  Coal  Co.,  by  W.  Harkes,  Genl.  Supt. 

Columbia  Coal  Co.,  by  W.  E.  Baker,  Pres. 

Walnut  Creek  Coal  Co.,  D.  C.  Bradley. 

Mystic  Fuel  Co.,  James  A.  Seddon. 

Gust  Pearson  Co.,  by  Emil  Johnson. 

Lodwick  Bros.  Co.,  by  David  Lodwick. 

Orr  Bros.,  by  Alexander  Orr. 

Acken  Co.,  by  W.  Porter. 

Crescent  Coal  Co.,  by  Daniel  Clark. 

Peacock  Coal  Co.,  by  R.  F.  Lawton. 

Brazil  Coal  Co.,  by  B.  F.  Silknitter. 

White-Breast  Fuel  Co.,  by  J.  Holland. 

Happy  Coau  Co.,  by  C.  Erickson. 

Seymour  Coal  Co.,  by  George  Elmore. 

F.  H.  JucKET,  per  B.  C.  Busby. 


684 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Peerless  Coal  Co.,  T.  E.  Lee,  Pres. 

Lone  Star  Coal  Co.,  by  J.  Seddon. 

Mystic  Coal  Co.,  J.  L.  Helm. 

I.  & M.  Coal  Mining  Co.,  by  A.  B.  Dudley. 

Darby  Block  Co.,  by  George  Guild. 

Scandinavian  Co.,  by  Claus  Johnson. 

Phoenix  Coal  Co.,  by  Joseph  Turner. 

Centerville  Block  Coal  Co.,  W.  W.  Oliver. 

Numa  Coal  Co.,  by  A.  G.  Widmer. 

Anchor  Coal  Co.,  by  J.  Wilson. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT— DISTRICT  12. 

Springfield,  Illinois,  March  10,  1899. 

We,  your  joint  scale  committee,  appointed  by  the  miners’ 
and  operators’  convention,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  beg  leave 
to  offer  the  following  report : 

First:  That  we  hereby  ratify  the  Pittsburg  agreement, 

carrying  with  it  the  Columbus  and  Springfield  agreement  as 
modified,  with  the  understanding  that  the  mines  are  to  remain 
at  work  for  the  scale  year  ending  March  31,  1900. 

Second:  That  the  Board  of  Arbitration,  as  provided  for 

in  the  Pittsburg  agreement,  namely,  three  (3)  miners  and 
three  (3)  operators,  the  six  (6)  to  select  a seventh  (7th), 
shall  be  appointed  by  this  convention  to  arbitrate  the  machine 
differential  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  question  to  be  arbi- 
trated being  whether  or  not  the  various  districts  of  Illinois 
are  entitled  to  any  reduction  in  the  Springfield  scale  differ- 
entials as  against  Danville,  the  basing  point;  and,  if  so,  how 
much. 

Third:  That  where,  in  any  district,  discrepancies  exist 

between  the  various  mines  of  that  district  in  narrow  and  de- 
ficient work,  and  it  is  desired  by  the  miners  or  operators  of 
that  district  to  adjust  uniformly  the  prices  for  narrow  and 
deficient  work  in  that  district,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  op- 
erators and  miners  to  appoint  a joint  committee  for  that  pur- 
pose; and  when  so  adjusted  it  shall  remain  in  force  until  the 
end  of  the  scale  year. 

Fourth:  That  there  shall  be  appointed  a committee  of 

operators  and  miners,  representing  the  various  contract  dis- 
tricts, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  investigate  the  conditions  in 
each  and  every  mine  and  district  in  this  State  and  report  to  a 
joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators,  to  be  called  prior  to 
January  1 next,  the  data  gathered  by  such  committee  to  be 
used  in  formulating  a scale  for  the  various  districts  of  Illinois, 
and  that  it  is  the  sense  of  this  convention  that  the  miners  and 
operators  after  arriving  at  a local  scale  for  Illinois  be  prepared 


District  12  Joint  Agreement,  1899 


685 


to  stand  for  the  same  terms  and  conditions  in  all  of  the  four 
(4)  competitive  states. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  demonstrate  by  all 
practical  means  the  relative  conditions  existing  throughout 
the  entire  State  of  Illinois,  as  against  the  competitive  states. 

Fifth : That  we,  as  operators,  will  recognize  the  pit  com- 

mittee and  will  agree  to  check  off  all  dues  and  assessments 
from  all  miners  and  mine  laborers,  when  desired:  and  the 
United  Mine  Workers  agree  to  protect  operators  where  such 
checking  is  done. 

Sixth:  It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  the  arbitration 

above  mentioned  does  not  apply  to  shearing,  or  air,  or  electric 
drilling  machines;  but  this  does  not  prevent,  by  separate 
board  of  arbitration,  the  adjustment  of  a rate  for  shearing 
machines  in  the  event  of  the  miners  and  operators  in  the  local 
districts  not  agreeing. 

Seventh:  That  the  operators  and  the  representatives  of 

the  outside  labor  meet  in  each  scale  or  contract  district  prior 
to  April  1,  1899,  for  the  purpose  of  formulating  a uniform 
price  for  outside  labor,  and  where  it  is  mutually  agreed  upon 
that  the  representatives  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  assist 
in  making  that  scale. 

Eighth:  It  is  also  agreed  that  where  day  men  wish  to 

change  to  room  work  there  shall  be  no  unjust  discrimination 
against  them;  and  that  no  miner  shall  be  unreasonably  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  room  and  do  company  work. 

Ninth:  That  where  coal  is  shot  off  solid  by  the  use  of 

electric  or  air  drills,  the  price  paid  for  such  work  shall  be  38 
cents  per  ton,  based  on  40  cents  per  ton  hand  mining.  The 
miner  to  furnish  all  supplies,  the  operator  to  furnish  and  keep 
drill  or  drills  in  repair. 

Illinois  Coal  Operators’  Association, 

S.  H.  Dalzell,  President. 

C.  L.  ScROGGS,  Secretary. 

United  Mine  Workers  of  Illinois, 

J.  M.  Hunter,  President. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary. 

Operators’  Committee,  H.  N.  Taylor. 

Chas.  E.  Hull. 

Miners’  Committee,  Edward  Cahill. 

Wm.  Hefti. 

Joseph  Pope,  Secretary. 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 

John  Mitchell,  National  President. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

PROCEEDINGS,  DISTRICT  No.  19. 

March  11,  1899. 

Second  annual  convention  of  District  No.  19,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  called  to  order  by  Vice-President  S.  F. 
Broughton,  March  11,  1899,  in  the  absence  of  President  J.  M. 
Lewis. 

The  convention  adjourned. 

EVENING  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  J.  M.  Lewis. 
Appointment  of  committees : — Credentials — J.  S.  Bell,  Ed, 
Captal,  R.  F.  Peters;  Constitution — J.  S.  Cosin,  Joe  Vasey, 
T.  J.  Smith;  Resolutions — E.  W,  Johnson,  P.  Jerne,  W.  H. 
Foster;  Scale — John  Hickman,  H.  C.  Snoderly,  W.  L.  Glancy; 
Order  of  Business — P.  Costello,  J.  W.  Howe,  W.  V.  Balloue. 

The  credential  committee  being  ready,  they  reported  as 
follows : 

We,  your  committee  on  credentials,  beg  leave  to  submit 
the  following  report  of  delegates  entitled  to  a seat  and  vote  in 
this  convention: — Ed.  Captal,  John  Jasper,  R.  F.  Peters,  J.  S. 
Bell,  John  Hickman,  E,  W.  Johnson,  J.  Costello,  Frank  Martin, 
W.  V.  Balloue,  P.  Jerne,  G.  W.  Beam,  T.  B.  Haynes,  Joe  Vasey, 
J.  S.  Cosin,  T.  J.  Smith,  H.  C.  Snoderly,  J.  W.  Howe,  W.  H. 
Foster,  John  C.  Grice,  Andrew  Cooley,  M.  J.  Cullon,  W.  L. 
Glancy. 

Moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials  be 
accepted  and  they  be  discharged.  Motion  carried. 

W.  R.  Fairley  being  presented  to  the  convention,  W.  H. 
Foster  introduced  a motion  to  give  Brother  W.  R.  Fairley  a 
seat  and  voice  in  the  convention.  Carried. 

The  same  courtesy  was  extended  to  ex-President  H.  A. 
Bradley  of  Strunks,  Kentucky. 

Moved  that  the  convention  go  into  executive  session. 
Carried. 

The  committees  not  being  ready  to  report,  the  convention 
took  a thirty-minute  recess. 


(686) 


District  19  Convention,  1899 


687 


Committee  on  order  of  business  being  ready  to  report,  the 
convention  came  to  order. 

We,  the  committee  on  order  of  business,  beg  leave  to  pre- 
sent the  following  report : 

1.  Report  of  committee  on  credentials. 

2.  On  resolutions. 

3.  On  auditors. 

4.  Report  of  scale 'committee. 

5.  District  constitution  and  by-laws. 

6.  Election  of  officers. 

P.  Costello, 

J.  W.  Howe, 

W.  V.  Balloue, 

Committee. 

Moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  on  order  of  busi- 
ness be  adopted.  Carried. 

Auditing  committee’s  report  was  read  by  Chairman  Yates. 

Moved  that  the  report  of  the  auditing  committee  be  re- 
ceived. Carried. 

The  committee  on  constitution  was  called  for.  The  com- 
mittee being  ready  read  their  report.  Moved  that  we  receive 
the  report.  Carried. 

The  constitution  was  read  and  adopted  seriatim. 

Moved  that  we  adjourn.  Carried. 

MONDAY,  MARCH  13,  1899. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  J.  M,  Lewis. 

There  was  quite  a debate  on  the  Secretary-Treasurer’s 
report,  and  it  resulted  in  a motion  to  amend  thq  by-laws  so  as 
to  read  that  all  officers  render  itemized  accounts  every  month. 

Election  of  Officers : Brother  W.  R.  Fairley  was  called  to 
the  chair. 

For  president,  T.  J.  Smith;  vice-president,  J.  M.  Lewis; 
secretary-treasurer,  J.  S.  McCracken;  executive  board,  W.  H. 
Foster,  J.  S.  Bell,  Joe  Vasey,  P.  Jerne,  John  Howe,  J.  B. 
Brace;  auditing  committee,  H.  C.  Yates,  Robert  Brown,  J.  S. 
Cosin. 

Moved  that  the  election  of  the  board  and  auditing  commit- 
tee be  made  unanimous.  Carried. 

Moved  that  the  president  appoint  legislative  committee. 


688 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Committee:  H.  A.  Bradley,  Joe  Vasey,  Dock  Kaine. 

Motions  adopted : That  the  by-laws  be  put  in  print ; That 
the  next  place  of  convention  be  at  Harriman,  Tennessee ; That 
the  time  for  holding  the  next  convention  be  the  last  Wednes- 
day in  March,  1900. 

Chair  declared  the  convention  stands  adjourned. 

J.  M.  Lewis,  President. 

G.  W.  Stephens,  Secretary. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  SUB-DISTRICT  No.  2 OF  DISTRICT  6. 

Glen  Roy,  Ohio,  March  14,  1899. 
Convention  called  to  order  at  9 :30  by  President  McLean, 
and  the  following  committees  were  appointed.  On  Credentials 
— David  Lytle,  John  Stevens,  Samuel  Shumate;  Rules  and 
Order  of  Business — J.  L.  Nunley,  Eugene  Taiclet,  Andrew  T. 
Pool;  Auditing — John  Wall,  William  Meadows,  Pat  O’Donnell; 
Resolutions — Frank  Conrad,  Charles  Wade,  A.  V.  Ireland; 
Grievance — John  Farley,  William  Phelps,  Bishop  Smith. 

Committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  delegates 
entitled  to  seats  in  the  convention: — John  W.  Farris,  Alonzo 
Stiffler,  Wm.  Phelps,  Eugene  Taiclet,  John  Harmon,  J.  L. 
Nunley,  T.  C.  Snyder,  Wm.  Meadows,  Bishop  Smith,  Oliver 
Channell,  Chas.  McMillen,  Joseph  Bartels,  A.  Chatfield,  Jacob 
Collins,  A.  V.  Ireland,  Pat  O’Donnell,  A.  T.  Pool,  John  Farley, 
John  Stevens,  John  Wall,  David  Lytle. 

David  Lytle, 

John  Stevens, 

Samuel  Shumate, 

Committee. 

- It  was  moved  that  the  report  of  credential  committee  be 
adopted  and  delegates  seated.  Motion  carried. 

After  report  of  credential  committee.  President  McLean 
made  his  report  for  quarter,  which  was  accepted  by  unani- 
mous vote. 

AUDITING  COMMITTEE’S  REPORT : 

Glen  Roy,  Ohio,  March  14,  1899. 
We,  your  auditing  committee,  beg  leave  to  make  the  follow- 
ing report,  which  we  have  found  to  be  correct  and  books  in 
excellent  condition: 


Convention  Sub-District  2,  District  6 689 

Money  on  beginning  of  quarter,  $19.45;  receipts  from  per 
capita,  $171.13 ; total,  $190.58. 

Expenses — Indebtedness  beginning  of  quarter,  $9.80;  ex- 
pense incurred  during  quarter,  $98.62 ; total,  $108.42. 

Recapitulation — Receipts,  $190.58;  expense,  $108.42;  bal- 
ance in  treasury  March  14,  1899,  $82.16. 

John  Wall, 

Pat  O’Donnell, 

Wm.  Meadows, 

Committee. 

The  hour  of  noon  having  arrived,  a motion  prevailed  that 
we  adjourn. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Meeting  called  to  order  at  1 o’clock.  The  first  order  of 
business  was  report  of  resolution  committee.  The  following 
resolutions  were  adopted: 

1.  Be  it  Resolved,  by  this  convention.  That  the  provisions 
of  our  constitution  be  complied  with  by  all  secretaries  check- 
ing the  $5  initiation  fee,  and  if  the  company  refuse  to  allow  it 
to  be  collected  by  check-off,  and  the  miner  refuses  to  pay  the 
same,  the  miners  to  refuse  to  work  until  this  rule  be  complied 
with,  or  the  man  leaves  mine ; and  any  mine  failing  to  comply 
with  the  above  shall  be  considered  unloyal,  and  shall  not  be 
entitled  to  be  represented  in  any  convention. 

2.  Be  it  resolved.  That  the  miners  of  Sub-district  No.  2, 
of  District  No.  6,  strictly  enforce  the  eight-hour  law;  the  time 
of  entering  the  mine  and  leaving  the  same  to  be  regulated  by 
each  mine  by  the  time  required  to  get  to  and  from  their  work- 
ing places. 

3.  Resolved,  That  this  convention  re-indorse  the  blue 
label  of  the  Tobacco  Workers’  Union,  and  call  upon  all  miners 
and  all  who  sympathize  with  union  labor  to  use  nothing  but 
blue  label  tobacco. 

Moved,  that  April  1st  be  declared  a holiday. 

Moved  that  we  celebrate  April  1st  by  holding  a mass  meet- 
ing in  the  opera  house,  Wellston,  Ohio,  and  that  we  secure 
speakers  for  the  occasion. 

Moved,  that  our  sub-district  officers  act  as  a committee  to 
arrange  for  celebrating  April  1st. 

Moved  that  our  next  convention  he  held  in  Jackson,  Ohio. 

There  being  no  further  business  to  come  before  the  meet- 


690 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


ing,  it  was  moved  that  the  convention  adjourn  to  meet  in 
Jackson  the  second  Tuesday  in  June.  Carried. 

Adam  McLean,  President. 

Wm.  Fennell,  Jr.,  Secretary. 

OHIO  OPERATORS  SIGN. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  March  16,  1899. 

The  Ohio  operators  sign  the  Pittsburg  agreement.  An 
all-day  conference  was  held,  at  which  the  miners  were  repre- 
sented by  National  President  Mitchell,  National  Secretary 
Pearce  and  State  President  Haskins.  The  operators  were 
represented  by  J.  S.  Morton,  Thomas  Johnson,  C.  L.  Poston, 
S.  A.  McManigal,  T.  W.  Guthrie  and  F.  S.  Brooks.  The  miners 
held  out  firmly  for  the  Pittsburg  agreement,  and  the  opera- 
tors were  unable  to  gain  the  slightest  concession.  The  opera- 
tors contended  that  under  the  terms  of  the  Chicago  agreement, 
which  was  renewed  by  the  Pittsburg  conference,  the  prices  in 
the  Pittsburg  district  were  to  be  the  same  as  those  in  the 
Hocking  Valley.  This  part  of  the  agreement  had  not  been 
fulfilled,  they  urged,  since  the  price  for  run  of  mine  in  the 
Pittsburg  district  was  5 cents  below  the  price  fixed  for  the 
Hocking  Valley.  It  was  upon  this  point  that  the  operators 
based  a protest  in  signing  the  scale,  claiming  that  it  was  an 
injustice  to  them. 

The  prices  fixed  for  the  next  year  in  Ohio  are  66  cents  per 
ton  for  screened  coal  and  47  1-7  cents  for  run  of  mine.  The 
agreement  dates  from  April  1st. 

CAMBRIDGE  JOINT  AGREEMENT. 

Cambridge,  Ohio,  March  17,  1899. 

Joint  meeting  of  operators  and  miners  held  in  this  city  in 
Trades  Assembly  Hall,  called  to  order  by  Sub-district  Presi- 
dent James  M.  Stewart. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  James  M.  Stewart  act  as 
Chairman  and  C.  C.  Henderson  as  Secretary. 

The  joint  committee  of  five  operators  and  five  miners  con- 
curred in  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted  as 
read: 


District  11,  Tenth  Annual  Convention 


691 


Resolved,  That  on  and  after  April  1,  1899,  eight  hours 
shall  constitute  a day’s  work,  and  all  mines  may  operate  six 
days  per  week. 

Resolved,  That  on  and  after  April  1,  1899,  the  mines  of 
this  district  shall  begin  work  at  6 :30  a.  m.,  work  until  10 :30 
a.  m.,  taking  one  hour  for  noon,  and  beginning  at  11 :30  a.  m., 
continue  until  3 :30  p.  m.  until  April  1,  1900. 

Resolved,  That  on  and  after  April  1,  1899,  all  machines 
shall  be  fitted  with  front  shoe  not  to  exceed  21/^  inches  in 
thickness,  and  machine  men  be  required  to  cut  coal  level,  and 
close  to  bottom  as  possible;  and  in  no  case  shall  thickness  of 
bottom  exceed  4 inches,  except  in  case  of  “pots”  or  other  ex- 
treme variations,  and  all  machine  men  leaving  more  bottom 
than  above  must  lift  same,  or  it  shall  be  lifted  at  his  expense ; 
and  in  case  of  sprags  being  left  by  a machine  man  that  he  be 
notified  by  loader,  and  if  he  refuse  to  remove  the  same,  that 
the  loader  remove  the  sprag  and  be  allowed  50  cents  each  for 
so  doing.  Said  50  cents  to  be  deducted  from  machine  runner, 
and  where  any  machine  man  leaves  six  or  more  sprags  in  any 
one  pay  he  shall  be  removed  from  machine,  and  his  service 
disposed  of  as  deemed  best  by  general  superintendent. 

Resolved,  That  no  miner  be  permitted  to  load  double  turn 
or  free  turn  under  any  circumstances. 

Resolved,  That  so  far  as  possible  all  machine  loaders  be 
accorded  two  rooms  for  each  two  men,  and  the  operators 
pledge  themselves  to  provide  two  rooms  for  two  men  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment. 

Resolved,  That  we  pay  II/2  cents  per  $1.00  for  smithing 
in  pick  work  and  nothing  for  machine  loading. 

Accepted  and  signed  on  behalf  of  operators : 

The  Wells  Creek  Coal  Company, 

N.  0.  Gray. 

Jas.  W.  Elsworth  Coal  Company, 

W.  H.  Davis,  Genl.  Supt. 

The  Opperman  Coal  Company, 

By  J.  Opperman. 

Pioneer  Coal  Company, 

W.  H.  Davis. 

The  Loomis-Moss  Coal  Company. 

For  the  miners : 

James  M.  Stewart,  President. 

C.  C.  Henderson,  Secretary-Treasurer. 


692 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


TENTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION— DISTRICT  No.  11. 

Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  March  21-30,  1899. 

Pursuant  to  call,  the  Tenth  Annual  Convention  was  called 
to  order  at  10  o’clock  a.  m.  Tuesday,  March  21,  1899,  by  Presi- 
dent W.  D.  VanHorn,  Secretary  J.  H.  Kennedy  at  the  desk. 
President  VanHorn  appointed  the  followng  committees:  On 
Credentials — Joseph  Edwards,  Theodore  Himburg,  J.  M. 
Bradley,  Mark  Roberts;  On  Rules  and  Order  of  Business — 
William  Blakely,  W.  B.  Henderson  and  Robert  Knox. 

Mr.  Evinger,  President  of  the  Central  Labor  Union,  wel- 
comed the  delegates  to  the  city,  and  spoke  briefly  on  the  bene- 
fits of  organization. 

Mr.  Reinbold  also  spoke  briefly,  urging  a closer  affiliation 
of  all  organized  bodies  of  workingmen,  and  recommending 
the  affiliation  of  District  11  with  the  State  Federation  of 
Labor. 

The  Committee  on  Order  of  Business  reported  the  hours 
of  meeting  to  be  from  8 :30  a.  m.  to  12  m.  and  from  1 :30  until 
4 p.  m.,  and  the  various  committees  to  report  in  regular  order, 
Cushing’s  Manual  to  govern  all  parliamentary  proceedings. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  VanHorn. 

The  Committee  on  Credentials  then  submitted  its  report  as 
follows:  James  Simons,  J.  M.  Bradley,  Joseph  Edwards, 

Mark  Roberts,  Thomas  Moss,  J.  F.  Houser,  Charles  Green, 
L.  M.  Geissir,  James  Dillon,  M.  F.  Collins,  John  Taylor,  Lee 
Lambert,  J.  M.  James,  James  Nolan,  J.  Lewis,  William  Cox, 
J.  H.  Kennedy,  George  Lowe,  Arthur  McCool,  W.  B.  Hender- 
son, T.  J.  Loudermilk,  Theodore  Himburg,  Murray  Bledsoe, 
A.  J.  Hedges,  Roy  Hudson,  Frank  Jennings,  Alex.  Waugh, 
William  Green,  Frank  Van  Orsdale,  Emanuel  Dixon,  William 
Blakely,  T.  J.  Lee,  J.  C.  Smith,  Ed  G.  Lewis,  William  Tipton, 
J.  H.  Kennedy,  C.  C.  Craig,  S.  J.  Caruthers,  H.  H.  Love,  J.  H. 
McKenna,  George  Hargroves,  George  Murphy,  James  Hooper, 
G.  W.  Lackey,  William  Taylor,  A.  R.  Maddox,  James  Hutchin- 
son, William  Watson;  Without  credentials — H.  Turner,  Thos. 
Faulds,  J.  M.  Wheeler,  William  Phipps. 


District  11,  Tenth  Annual  Convention 


693 


Committee  on  Credentials  recommended  that  the  delegates 
with  credentials  be  seated,  and  also  delegates  without  creden- 
tials who  belong  to  locals  in  good  standing. 

The  report  of  committee  was  adopted: 

President  VanHorn  then  appointed  the  following  commit- 
tees : Committee  on  Scale — Thomas  Moss,  G.  W.  Lackey,  T.  J. 
Loudermilk,  Ed.  G.  Lewis  and  Joseph  Edwards;  W.  D.  Van- 
Horn,  J.  H.  Kennedy  and  G.  W.  Purcell  were  added  to  the 
committee.  Committee  on  Resolutions — Thomas  Faulds,  J.  H. 
McKenna,  S.  J.  Caruthers,  E.  Dixon  and  J.  C.  Smith.  Audit- 
ing Committee — James  Nolan,  Frank  Vanosdal  and  Frank 
Jennings.  Committee  on  Grievances — Robert  Knox,  James 
Dillon  and  William  Tipton.  Committee  on  Constitution — 
William  Blakely,  M.  F.  Collins,  John  M.  James. 

President  VanHorn  then  read  his  report  to  the  convention, 
recommending  such  changes  as  he  thought  might  best  serve 
the  interests  of  the  miners  of  Indiana. 

Secretary  Kennedy  followed  with  his  annual  report  and 
also  his  financial  report,  showing  the  District  in  better  condi- 
tion numerically  and  financially  than  ever  before  in  its  history. 

The  reports  were  referred  to  the  proper  committees. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  our  visiting  national  officers  be 
allowed  a seat  and  voice  in  the  convention.  Carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  22,  1899. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  VanHorn. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions  reported  several  resolutions 
which  were  referred  and  tabled. 

At  this  time  National  President  Mitchell  was  called  upon 
and  spoke  at  some  length  on  the  existing  agreement,  and 
among  other  things  he  said  that  in  Clause  4 of  the  Chicago 
agreement,  where  it  says  run-of-mine  coal  may  be  mined  and 
paid  for  on  the  above  basis  at  the  option  of  the  operators  ac- 
cording to  market  requirements,  he  interprets  to  mean  when 
the  coal  is  mined,  weighed  and  marketed  run-of-mine  then  it 
shall  he  paid  for  run-of-mine.  Moved  and  seconded  we  accept 
this  interpretation  and  demand  immediate  relief.  Carried. 


694 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  trying  to  recover  the 
Saturday  half  holiday.  The  committee  recommends  that  the 
convention  instruct  the  Scale  Committee  to  try  to  secure  the 
half  holiday  on  Saturday. 

Agreed  to. 

Whereas,  there  is  a State  mining  law  in  the  State  of  Ind- 
iana, Resolved,  that  we,  the  miners,  insist  that  all  locals  keep 
a copy  in  the  hall  for  reference  and  the  good  of  the  organiza- 
tion. 

Committee  reported  favorably.  Agreed  to. 

Adjourned  until  1:30  p.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  following  resolutions  were  agreed  to : 

Resolved,  That  we  do  not  waive  our  rights  to  the  weekly 
pay  law  passed  by  the  late  legislature. 

That  District  11  attach  itself  to  the  State  Federation  of 
Labor  and  that  at  each  annual  convention  five  delegates  be 
elected  to  attend  all  conventions  of  the  Indiana  Federation; 
and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  District  Secretary  be  instructed  to  for- 
ward initiation  fee  and  per  capita  tax  as  required  by  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Indiana  Federation  of  Labor. 

Whereas,  the  Federal  Labor  Union  and  the  Laborer’s  Pro- 
tective Union  of  Terre  Haute  have,  with  the  endorsement  of 
the  Central  Labor  Union,  placed  the  product  of  the  Terre 
Haute  Artificial  Ice  Company  on  the  unfair  list. 

Resolved,  That  we  authorize  our  Secretary  to  notify  the 
United  Mine  Workers  Journal  of  said  action;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  each  delegate  on  returning  home  report  said 
action  to  his  local. 

Whereas,  the  Teamsters  of  West  Terre  Haute  ask  the 
privilege  of  uniting  with  the  local  union  of  Sugar  Creek  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a contract  with  the  operators  for  their 
mutual  protection,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  authorize  and  permit  said 
local  union  to  make  a contract  with  the  operators  and  Teams- 
ters Union,  provided  that  said  contract  does  not  conflict  with 
existing  agreement  and  is  concurred  in  by  our  district  officers. 

Whereas,  the  Princeton  local  has,  on  their  own  accord,  put 
organizers  in  the  held,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  our  officers  be  empowered  to  repay  them 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  (100)  dollars, .and  that  hereafter  no 
one  person  or  local  be  repaid  such  money  unless  the  officers 


District  11,  Tenth  Annual  Convention  695 

of  the  district  concur  in  the  sending  out  of  such  men  as  organ- 
izers. That  the  contract  system  at  mines  be  abolished  entirely. 

Convention  adjourned.  « 

THURSDAY  MORNING,  MARCH  23. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  VanHorn. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Officers’  Reports: 

We,  your  Committee  on  Officers’  Reports,  beg  leave  to  sub- 
mit the  following : 

We  concur  in  the  report  of  our  officers  in  regard  to  locals 
paying  on  less  than  their  membership  calls  for,  and  recom- 
mend that  this  convention  take  action  on  the  question.  We 
also  tender  a vote  of  thanks  to  the  miners  of  District  11,  and 
national  officers  for  the  financial  aid  rendered  their  fellow- 
craftsmen  during  the  Washington  strike,  and  we  tender  a vote 
of  congratulation  to  the  miners  of  Washington  in  said  strike. 

We  concur  in  our  officers’  recommendation  that  when  trou- 
ble occurs  between  employer  and  employe  that  conditions  re- 
main the  same  until  the  case  has  been  submitted  to  the  Board 
of  Arbitration  and  they  have  rendered  their  decision. 

We  also  recommend  that  if  our  Arbitration  Board  exists 
during  the  ensuing  year  that  the  fifth  member  be  elected  to 
act  in  case  of  a disagreement  of  said  board. 

We  recommend  that  a vote  of  thanks  be  given  our  District 
Officers  and  Executive  Board  members  for  the  able  manner  in 
which  they  have  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  organization, 
both  in  gains  in  membership  and  economy  in  the  financial 
affairs  of  the  organization  in  the  past  year. 

George  Hargroves, 

George  Lowe, 

T.  J.  Lee, 

Committee. 

The  report  was  adopted  and  turned  over  to  the  Scale  Com- 
mittee with  instructions  to  have  as  much  of  it  covered  in  our 
next  year’s  contract  as  possible,  and  an  effort  made  to  have  an 
increase  for  turning  rooms  in  pick  mines. 

The  question  of  the  conditions  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
state  was  then  discussed.  It  was  decided  to  try  to  procure 
the  Indiana  scale  of  prices  for  those  people,  but  thought  wise 
to  leave  the  time  and  plans  to  the  incoming  officers.  The 
question  was  then  submitted  to  a special  committee  composed 
of  Brothers  Wm.  Blakely,  Hutchinson  and  Caruthers,  after 


696 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


which  Brother  McKenna  stated  the  conditions  at  Washington. 
Brother  J.  M.  Bradley  then  made  some  remarks. 

REPORT  OF  AUDITING  COMMITTEE. 

We,  your  Committee  on  Auditing,  beg  leave  to  submit  the 
following : 

We  have  carefully  examined  the  books  and  documents  of 
the  Secretary-Treasurer  and  find  them  absolutely  correct  and 
in  accordance  with  his  financial  statement  as  submitted  to 
the  convention,  which  follows: 

Recapitulation:  Total  Receipts,  $4,066.42;  Total  Expendi- 
tures, $2,346.07 ; Balance  in  Treasury,  $1,720.35. 

James  Nolan, 

Frank  Jennings, 

Frank  Van  Orsdale, 

Committee. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  the  convention  adjourned  to 
allow  the  Scale  Committee  to  hold  a session. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Called  to  order  by  President  VanHorn. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Scale  Committee  asked  for  one  hour’s 
more  time.  Moved  and  seconded  it  be  granted  and  that  the 
convention  proceed  with  the  regular  order  of  business. 
Carried. 

Election  of  officers:  President,  W.  D.  VanHorn;  Vice- 

President,  T.  I.  Roberts ; Secretary-Treasurer,  J.  H.  Kennedy ; 
Executive  Board,  G.  W.  Lackey,  George  Hargroves,  Lee  Lam- 
bert, Ed.  G.  Lewis. 

FRIDAY  MORNING,  MARCH  24. 

Friday  morning’s  convention  was  called  to  order  by  Presi- 
dent VanHorn  at  8 :30  a.  m.  Ed.  G.  Lewis,  secretary  of  the 
Scale  Committee,  made  a report  of  the  work  of  said  commit- 
tee. The  report  was  received  and  acted  on  seriatim  with  the 
following  result : 

That  all  machine  work  be  by  the  ton. 

That  for  chain  machine  the  price  for  cutting,  6 cents  per 
ton,  to  be  equally  divided  between  the  runner  and  the  helper. 


District  11,  Tenth  Annual  Convention 


697 


and  that  the  loader  and  shooter  get  the  other  24  cents  per  ton, 
gross  weight. 

That  the  price  for  all  machine,  narrow  work  be  three- 
fourths  the  price  of  pick  work. 

That  all  rooms  turned  by  machines  shall  be  paid  three- 
fourths  the  price  of  rooms  turned  ’with  pick,  except  bottle- 
neck rooms,  which  will  be  $6.60. 

In  regard  to  who  shall  receive  the  pay  for  shearing,  after 
a lengthy  discussion,  on  motion  it  was  deferred  until  after  the 
scale  for  pick  mining  be  made. 

That  narrow  work  be  paid  for  as  per  last  year’s  contract. 

That  all  break-throughs  be  paid  entry  price.  All  room- 
turning paid  same  as  last  year,  except  bottle-neck  rooms ; when 
bottle-necked  rooms  are  turned  the  price  to  be  doubled. 

That  35  cents  per  yard  be  paid  for  wet  entries. 

Where  rooms  are  wet  a deficiency  of  3 cents  per  ton  shall 
be  paid. 

When  top  coal  is  left  up  for  the  protection  of  the  roof  it 
shall  be  paid  for  at  25  cents  per  yard. 

That  3 cents  per  inch  per  lineal  yard  shall  be  paid  for  all 
over  2 inches  of  draw  slate,  bone  coal  or  dirt  band. 

Moved,  we  notify  the  operators  that  we  will  meet  them  at 
1 :30  p.  m.  Faulds  and  Hargroves  were  appointed  a commit- 
tee to  notify  the  operators. 

That  blacksmithing*be  done  free  of  charge  by  the  company. 

That  powder  be  reduced  to  $1.50  per  keg. 

We  dernand  the  law  in  regard  to  weekly  pay  be  complied 
with. 

Moved,  that  the  Scale  Committee  be  instructed  to  ask  for 
a reasonable  reduction  in  house  rent. 

That  horseback  rolls  and  slips  be  paid  for  by  the  day  at 
regular  scale  wages. 

That  when  we  adjourn  we  adjourn  until  8:30  a.  m.  Satur- 
day. President  VanHorn  announced  that  the  delegates  were 
especially  invited  to  be  present  to  hear  Mr.  Debs  speak.  The 
convention  then  adjourned. 

SATURDAY,  MARCH  25TH. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  VanHorn.  Spe- 
cial committee  submitted  the  following: 


698 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


To  the  members  of  the  convention : 

We,  your  committee  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  south- 
ern part  of  state,  submit  the  following  report : 

We  recommend  the  request  of  the  representatives,  in  re- 
gard to  extending  the  time  for  forcing  scale  prices,  be  granted, 
and  that  the  time  for  calling  the  operators  of  that  field  be  left 
to  the  discretion  of  the  scale  officials.  We  further  recommend 
that  in  order  to  afford  immediate  relief  and  assistance  to  those 
men  who  are  already  locked  out  in  Jackson’s,  Little’s  and 
Blackburn’s,  that  a levy  of  5 per  cent  be  in  force,  and  in  event 
the  officials  deem  it  necessary  to  inaugurate  a fight  in  the 
southern  field  to  force  scale  rates  and  proper  conditions,  the 
levy  shall  be  increased  not  to  exceed  10  per  cent;  and,  we 
further  recommend  that  any  local  failing  to  pay  this  levy 
shall  be  amenable  as  provided  by  locals  failing  to  pay  per 
capita  tax. 

Wm.  Blakeley, 

James  Hutchinson, 

S.  J.  Caruthers, 

Committee. 

After  a good  deal  of  discussion  it  was  amended  to  strike 
out  5 per  cent  and  insert  2 per  cent,  and  strike  out  10  per  cent 
and  insert  5 per  cent  to  be  paid  on  all  earnings,  except  powder, 
oil  and  smithing  and  to  take  effect  at  once.  Carried. 

The  convention  continued  to  meet  from  day  to  day  and 
adjourned  to  meet  again  when  it  thought  the  Scale  Committee 
would  have  some  report  to  make.  * 

On  Thursday  the  Scale  Committee  reported  that  they  had 
reached  an  agreement,  and,  while  not  entirely  satisfactory,  it 
was  the  best  that  could  be  done.  The  report  was  received  and 
acted  on  seriatim.  All  clauses  of  the  contract  were  carefully 
read,  discussed  and  adopted,  except  Clause  24,  in  regard  to 
the  semi-monthly  pay.  The  committee  was  sent  back  to  tiy 
to  have  the  clause  stricken  out  but  it  failed.  The  report  was 
adopted,  22  voting  for  and  16  against.  About  15  delegates 
not  voting. 

Resolved,  That  the  Tenth  Annual  Convention  of  District 
11,  protest  against  the  present  scale  agreed  to  at  Pittsburg, 
and  pledge  ourselves  to  sign  no  scale  in  the  next  National  Con- 
vention which  does  not  give  us  the  right  to  determine  the  run- 
of-mine  price  by  the  actual  percentages  of  screenings. 


Carried. 


District  11,  Constitution,  1899 


699 


Resolved,  That  we  extend  a vote  of  thanks  to  our  officers 
for  the  able  way  in  which  they  conducted  the  affairs  of  the 
miners  during  the  past  year.  , 

And  to  the  Central  Labor  Union,  of  Terre  Haute,  for  the 
many  courtesies  extended  to  the  representatives  during  the 
time  of  the  convention. 

Carried. 

Moved  that  the  Tenth  Annual  Convention  of  District  11 
adjourn,  sine  die.  Carried.  -i 

Signed,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

CONSTITUTION  DISTRICT  11,  1899. 

Article  1. — 'Name,  Objects  and  Jurisdiction 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as  District 
11  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Sec.  2.  The  objects  of  this  union  are  to  unite  mine  em- 
ployes and  to  ameliorate  their  conditions  by  methods  of  con- 
ciliation, arbitration  or  strikes. 

Sec.  3.  This  union  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  all  the  bi- 
tuminous locals  in  the  State  of  Indiana. 

Article  II 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  organization  shall  consist  of 
one  President,  one  Vice-President,  one  Secretary-Treasurer, 
and  an  Executive  Board  of  seven  members,  three  of  whom 
shall  be  the  President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary-Treas- 
urer. 

Article  III 

Section  1.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  conventions 
of  the  state  organization.  He  shall  sign  all  official  documents 
when  satisfied  of  their  correctness.  With  the  consent  of  the 
Executive  Board  he  shall  fill  by  appointment  all  vacancies 
occurring  in  office,  and  in  like  manner  he  is  empowered  to 
suspend  or  remove  any  officer  for  insubordination  or  just  and 
sufficient  cause.  He  shall  act  'as  general  organizer  for  the 
State  and  attend  to  and  settle  all  local  disputes,  with  the  con- 
sent of  the  members  concerned,  and  shall  exert  a general 
supervision,  over  the  affairs  of  the  organization,  but  in  no  case 
shall  he  Substitute  his  own  opinions  for  those  set  forth  in  this 
constitution. 

Sec.  2.  The  Vice-President  shall  be  subject  to  the  orders 
of  the  President,  and  in  the  event  of  the  President’s  office  be- 
coming vacant  through  death  or  removal  shall  succeed  that 


700 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


officer  and  assume  all  its  responsibilities  until  the  next  con- 
vention. 

Sec,  3.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of  all 
books,  documents  and  effects  of  the  office.  He  shall  record  the 
proceedings  of  all  conventions,  and  all  the  meetings  of  the 
Executive  Board,  and  shall  keep  copies  of  all  important  letters 
sent  out  by  him.  He  shall  receive  and  receipt  for  all  moneys, 
and  pay  all  current  expenses;  he  shall  prepare  and  submit  to 
the  Executive  Board  a quarterly  report  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  as- 
signed to  him.  He  shall  give  a bond  of  $500,  to  be  secured  by 
not  less  than  two  bondsmen.  And  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  office  he  shall  turn  over  all  moneys  and  effects  of  the 
organization  to  his  successor. 

Sec.  4.  The  Board  shall  examine  the  bond  offered  by  the 
Secretary-Treasurer,  and  if,  upon  inquiry,  it  proves  satisfac- 
tory, the  President  shall  have  it  recorded  in  the  proper  office 
of  each  county  in  which  said  bondsmen  may  reside.  In  the 
event  of  the  income  being  of  such  proportions  as  to  render 
necessary  an  increase  of  the  Secretary-Treasurer’s  bond,  the 
Board  shall  make  such  increase  as  they  may  deem  sufficient. 
In  the  absence  of  conventions  the  Board  shall  have  full  power 
to  direct  the  workings  of  the  organization  in  all  matters  affect- 
ing its  interest. 

The  Board  shall  be  convened  by  the  President,  or  in  case  of 
a disagreement  between  the  members  of  the  Board  and  the 
President,  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  at  the  request  of  three 
members  of  the  Board,  shall  call  it  together. 

The  Executive  Board  shall  prepare  and  submit  to  the 
annual  convention  a report  of  its  year’s  transactions. 


Article  IV. — Revenues 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  this  organization  shall  be  de- 
rived from  local  unions  under  its  jurisdiction,  which  shall  pay 
the  Secretary-Treasurer  the  sum  of  10  cents  per  month,  the 
same  to  be  forwarded  to  him  not  later  than  the  25th  of  the 
month  for  which  it  is  due.  Fractional  members  to  pay  the 
same  in  proportion,  and  wherever  practicable,  the  same  shall 
be  checked  off  by  the  Checkweighman. 

Article  V.- — ConvetiHons 

Section  1.  The  regular  convention  shall  be  held  in  the  city 
of  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  IMarch  of 
each  year,  at  which  officers  shall  be  elected  for  the  ensuing 
year.  Each  local  union  having  paid  all  dues,  assessments  and 
levies  of  the  organization,  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote  for 


District  11,  Constitution,  1899 


701 


fifty  members  or  less,  and  one  vote  for  each  additional  fifty 
members  or  major  fraction  thereof.  Locals  having  less  than 
thirty  members  may  vote  by  proxy  through  any  authorized 
delegate  to  the  convention,  provided  'said  proxy  shall  be  in  the 
same  form  as  a delegate’s  credentials.  Locals  having  more 
than  one  vote  may  send  a delegate  for  each  vote,  or  may  give 
all  the  votes  to  one  delegate,  provided  no  delegate  shall  be 
allowed  to  cast  more  than  three  votes.  This  shall  also  apply 
to  special  conventions. 

Sec.  2.  Any  local  union  failing  to  pay  dues  to  the  District 
for  three  consecutive  months  shall  be  declared  suspended  until 
they  have  paid  up  all  dues  and  assessments. 

Sec.  3.  Any  member  failing  to  pay  his  dues  for  three 
months  shall  only  be  again  admitted  to  membership  upon  pay- 
ment of  initiation  fee  as  provided  for  in  the  constitution. 

Article  VI 

Section  1.  The  salary  of  the  President  and  Secretary  shall 
be  $66  per  month  and  all  legitimate  expenses,  shall  rise  and  fall 
with  the  price  of  mining  at  a ratio  of  $1  per  month  for  each 
1 cent  per  ton. 

Sec.  2.  All  members  of  the  Executive  Board,  except  sal- 
aried officers,  shall  receive  $2.25  per  day  and  expenses,  subject 
to  pro  rata  advance  while  performing  their  duties. 

Article  VII 

Section  1.  All  nominations  for  State  officers  shall  be  sent 
to  the  Secretary  not  less  than  three  weeks  before  the  annual 
convention.  Said  nominations  shall  be  compiled  by  him  and 
be  sent  to  all  locals  not  later  than  two  weeks  prior  to  the  con- 
vention. 

When  more  than  two  candidates  are  voted  for,  the  lowest 
shall  be  dropped  after  each  ballot  until  one  candidate  receives 
a majority  of  all  votes  cast,  who  shall  be  declared  elected. 

Article  VIII 

Section  1.  Each  local  shall  procure  a seal  and  charter,  to- 
gether with  a supply  of  constitutions  and  transfer  cards. 

Sec.  2.  Each  mine  employing  thirty  men,  two-thirds  of 
whom  are  members  of  this  organization,  shall  employ  a check- 
weighman.  The  checkweighman  shall  act  as  financial  secre- 
tary of  the  local,  and,  at  the  end  of  each  month,  shall  make  a 
report  to  the  secretary-treasurer  of  the  shipment  of  coal  and 
number  of  days  worked,  on  a form  prepared  by  the  executive 
board. 

’ Article  IX 

Section  1.  The  initiation  fee  shall  be  for  a practical  miner 


702 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


$5.00,  for  a non-practical  man  $20.00,  but,  when  the  best  in- 
terest of  the  organization  require  it,  the  president  may  grant 
a lower  initiation  fee,  but  in  no  case  shall  it  be  less  than  $1.00. 

Article  X 

Section  1.  That  during  a strike  or  lock-out  or  other  trou- 
ble, non-union  men  shall  not  receive  any  support  from  this 
district. 

Sec.  2.  A member  shall  be  in  good  standing  at  least  three 
months  previous  to  such  trouble. 

Sec.  3.  No  man  shall  receive  any  benefits  during  a strike 
or  lock-out,  or  other  trouble,  who  was  not  working  in  or  around 
the  mine  when  the  trouble  arose. 

Article  XI 

Section  1.  Where  members  of  the  local  union  are  idle  by 
reason  of  difficulties  in  trade  matters,  and  their  position  is  en- 
dorsed by  the  state  officers  for  a period  of  one  month  or  the 
major  fraction  of  each  following  month,  they  shall  be  exempt 
from  payment  of  all  dues  and  levies. 

BY-LAWS 

Section  1.  All  locals  to  provide  their  own  by-laws  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  state  and  National  constitution. 

Sec.  2.  The  constitution  shall  be  altered  or  amended  only 
at  the  regular  annual  convention. 

The  following  addition  was  made  to  the  by-laws : All  fees 
received  by  the  president  for  organizing  shall  be  state  or  dis- 
trict funds. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  SUB-DISTRICT  1,  DISTRICT  12. 

Coal  City,  Illinois,  March  23,  1899. 

Agreement  entered  into  this  day  between  the  representa- 
tives of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  party  of  the 
first  part,  and  the  undersigned  operators  of  the  Wilmington 
coal  field,  known  as  sub-district  No.  1,  party  of  the  second 
part,  in  joint  convention  assembled,  to-wit: 

1.  That  the  household  coal  supplied  to  workmen  shall  be 
at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  and  thirty-five  cents  per  ton  of  2,000 
pounds  at  the  mines,  and  the  miners  to  have  the  option  of  send- 
ing any  teamster  for  their  coal. 

2.  Houses  owned  by  the  companies  shall  be  rented  to  mine 
workers  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  room  per  month. 

3.  That  the  companies  agree  to  furnish  the  necessarj' 
props,  cap-pieces  and  rails  at  the  room  face. 

4.  That  the  tool  sharpener  shall  be  on  duty  to  sharpen  all 
tools  during  the  working  hours  of  each  shift. 


Wilmington,  III.,  Joint  Agreement 


703 


5.  That  all  pit  cars  be  put  in  proper  condition. 

6.  That  when  a man  has  to  leave  his  work  he  shall  be 

hoisted  out  of  said  shaft  when  there  is  no  coal  at  the  shaft 
bottom.  ' 

7.  That  no  coal  be  hoisted  after  the  shaft  quits  except  in 
actual  case  of  emergency.  This  will  not  interfere  with  the 
hoisting  of  coal  by  the  night  shift. 

8.  That  in  case  of  any  local  trouble  arising  at  any  shaft 
the  pit  committee  and  the  pit  boss  of  said  shaft  shall  be  em- 
powered to  adjust  such  grievances,  and  in  case  of  their  disa- 
greement it  shall  be  referred  to  the  superintendent  of  the 
company  and  the  president  of  their  local  union;  but  should 
they  fail  to  adjust  the  matter  pending,  the  case  or  cases  shall 
be  referred  to  the  officials  of  the  company  concerned  and  the 
state  officers  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  writ- 
ing, for  adjustment,  and  in  all  cases  the  miners  and  the  parties 
involved  must  continue  to  work  pending  investigation  and  an 
adjustment  until  a final  decision  is  reached  in  the  manner 
above  set  forth. 

9.  That  men  drivers  be  paid  the  scale  price  of  one  dollar 
and  seventy-five  cents  and  all  below  this  scale  shall  receive  an 
advance  of  5 cents  per  day  over  present  prices. 

10.  That  the  companies  furnish  suitable  conveyances  and 
bandages  for  the  removal  of  injured  workmen  from  the  shaft 
to  their  homes. 

11.  That  all  miners  be  allowed  their  turn  of  empty  cars 
to  load  dirt  in  the  daytime. 

12.  That  rolls  and  deficient  work  be  settled  by  the  pit  boss 
and  men  involved  and  if  performed  by  the  shift,  scale  prices 
shall  be  paid. 

13.  That  all  outside  laborers  receive  an  advance  of  5 cents 
per  day  of  eight  hours  over  present  prices  paid. 

14.  That  a heading  in  the  Wilmin^on  field  shall  be  known 
as  a road  driven  in  the  solid  and  putting  in  rooms  at  regular 
intervals,  but  does  not  cut  off  rooms. 

15.  That  a cross  road  in  the  Wilmington  field  shall  be 
known  as  a road  driven  across  the  working  face  of  rooms, 
cutting  them  off  and  putting  them  in  anew. 

16.  That  a straight  place  in  the  Wilmington  field  shall  be 
known  as  a road  from  which  only  cross  roads  and  headings,  as 
above  described,  are  turned,  and  shall  not  be  paid  extra  ton- 
nage. 

17.  That  in  cases  where  it  is  necessary  to  turn  one  room 
off  another  room  (other  th?in  a cross  road,  heading  or  straight 
place) , cross  road  prices  shall  not  be  paid ; but  providing  that 
it  is  necessary  to  turn  another  room  off  room  so  turned,  it  shall 


704 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


then  be  declared  a cross  road,  and  be  paid  extra  tonnage  as 
such  from  second  switch  cross  roads  and  headings  as  above 
described,  to  be  paid  nine  (9)  cents  per  ton  extra;  and  turning 
a branch  and  putting  in  a shanty  complete,  four  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  ($4.50)  shall  be  paid,  and  also  when  last  room  on 
any  cross  road  or  heading  shall  have  been  turned  the  extra 
tonnage  shall  cease. 

18.  That  in  cases  where  sulphur  balls,  Black  Jack  or  other 
impurities  are  sent  up  by  a miner,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
trimmer  on  the  car  to  call  the  attention  of  the  checkweighman 
and  weigh-boss  to  the  same ; if  the  amount  of  impurities  of  any 
kind  is  small  the  miner  shall  be  notified  by  the  weigh-boss  and 
checkweighman,  also  marking  sulphur  on  the  sheet. 

The  second  time  the  miner  sends  up  unmarketable  coal  he 
shall  be  docked  the  whole  car  and  the  proceeds  shall  be  paid 
to  the  Miners’  Accident  Association,  provided,  after  this  second 
offense  the  miner  continues  to  send  up  impurities,  the  weigh- 
man  and  checkman  shall  notify  the  superintendent  of  the 
company  and  the  miner  shall  be  discharged. 

This  agreement  to  be  in  force  April  1,  1899,  and  shall  con- 
tinue until  and  including  March  31,  1900. 

Operators:  Wm.  Harkes,  Committee. 

Big  4 Wilmington  Coal  -Co., 

H.  N.  Taylor,  General  Manager. 

Wilmington  Coal  Mining  & Mfg.  Co., 
Jas.  Dalzell,  Treasurer. 

Star  Coal  Co.  of  Streator,  III., 

C.  H.  Rathbun,  Secretary. 

Chicago,  Wilmington  & Vermillion 
Coal  Co.,  A.  L.  Sweet,  President. 

Wilmington  Star  Mining  Co., 

M.  D.  Buchanan,  President. 

Braceville  Coal  Co., 

B.  Wightman,  Superintendent. 

Wm,  Maltby. 

Miners : Percival  Clark, 

President  Sub-Dist.  Board  No.  1. 

of  Dist.  12,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

J.  W.  Anderson, 

Secretary  Sub-district  Board  No.  1. 

William  E.  Smith, 

Member  of  State  Executive  Board 

of  Illinois. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 

U.  M.  W.  of  A. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


PROCEEDINGS  DISTRICT  No.  2. 

Tyrone,  Pa.,  March  23-4,  1899. 

Meeting  called  to  order  by  President  George  Harris  at  2 
p.  m.  The  circular  call  of  convention  was  read,  stating  the 
object  for  calling  the  convention. 

The  first  order  of  business  was  the  election  of  an  assistant 
secretary.  W.  G.  Witt  was  elected  to  fill  the  position  of  secre- 
tary by  acclamation. 

The  president  then  proceeded  to  appoint  the  following  com- 
mittees : 

Committee  on  Credentials— Richard  Gilbert,  F.  G.  Brown, 
Morgan  Watkins;  on  Resolutions — W.  B.  Wilson,  James  Cos- 
grove, Henry  Northover,  Henry  Sherwin,  James  Robertson; 
on  Appeals  and  Grievances — Frank  Yahner,  Simeon  Harts- 
horn, Joseph  Wilson,  John  Watkins,  George  Wilson;  on  Order 
of  Business — Dyson  Goodyear,  Ernest  Reber,  Thomas  Stead; 
Auditing — Richard  Gilbert,  Michael  McTaggart. 

A motion  was  then  made  to  exclude  all  newspaper  report- 
ers from  the  convention. 

Motion  carried. 

It  was  then  moved  that  we  take  a recess  for  one  hour  until 
the  committee  on  credentials  could  report. 

On  resuming  business  the  committee  on  credentials  re- 
ported that  upon  examination  of  credentials  they  found  that 
all  delegates  present  were  entitled  to  a voice  and  vote  in  the 
convention. 

It  was  then  moved  that  each  delegate  be  allowed  five  min- 
utes in  which  to  state  the  grievance  of  his  locality. 

Motion  carried. 

President  George  Harris  and  Secretary  J.  T.  Cline  then 
read  their  reports. 

Motion  was  made  that  the  reports  be  accepted. 

Carried. 

A motion  was  then  made  and  carried  that  we  adjourn. 

W.  G.  Witt,  Assistant  Secretary. 

(705) 


706 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Tyrone,  March  24,  1899. 

Meeting  called  to  order  at  8 :30  a.  m.  by  President  Harris. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  stated  that  they  were  ready 
to  report,  and  the  following  resolutions  were  presented  to 
the  convention  and  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  a general  advance  in  wages,  but 
we  will  not  enter  into  a movement  for  a general  advance  until 
we  have  obtained  uniformity  on  the  present  basis  of  45  cents 
per  long  ton  or  its  equivalent. 

Resolved,  That  all  coal  mined  with  machines  shall  be  based 
on  district  price  for  pick  mining,  two-thirds  of  said  price  to  be 
paid  for  loading  after  chain  machines  and  three-fifths  after 
punching  machines. 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  resolutions  go  into  effect  on 
the  1st  day  of  April,  1899. 

Resolved,  That  no  district  officer  shall,  at  the  same  time 
that  he  is  under  the  pay  of  the  district,  take  the  stump  for  any 
political  party  or  person  or  accept  any  money  or  other  compen- 
sation for  any  political  service  without  the  consent  of  the  dis- 
trict convention  or  a majority  of  the  members. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  that  a checkweighman  be 
placed  on  every  tipple  and  the  money  be  stopped  through  the 
company’s  office. 

Resolved,  That  after  April  1,  1899,  all  miners  failing  to  re- 
ceive the  district  price  of  45  cents  per  ton  and  two-thirds  and 
three-fifths  basis  respectively  for  loading  after  machines  shall 
suspend  work  until  the  district  price  is  restored. 

Resolved,  That  no  settlement  shall  be  made  at  any  mine  or 
any  portion  of  a mine  until  all  the  miners  of  the  same  operator 
have  obtained  a settlement. 

Whereas,  The  mining  law  is  being  violated  in  various  lo- 
calities, and 

Whereas,  Such  violations  could  not  and  would  not  take 
place  if  all  the  mine  inspectors  performed  their  duty  in  ac- 
cordance with  law,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  any  locality  where  the  mining  law  is  be- 
ing violated  and  the  local  union  or  miners  are  unable  to  get 
the  operators  to  remedy  the  same  the  local  union  shall  call  the 
attention  of  the  district  mine  inspector  to  the  same  and  if  he 
fails  to  remedy  the  evil  complained  of,  the  local  union  shall 
report  the  matter  to  the  district  officers,  who  shall  endeavor 
to  have  the  evil  corrected. 

Resolved,  That  we  insist  that  the  mine  inspector  shall  be 
conducted  through  the  mines  by  a mine  committeeman  instead 
of  by  a mine  foreman,  as  at  present. 


Tyrone  Convention,  District  2 


707 


Resolved,  That  we  indorse  the  United  Mine  Workers  Jour- 
nal as  our  official  organ  and  that  we  earnestly  advocate  to  our 
constituents  that  they  become  subscribers  as  far  as  possible, 
and  especially  that  each  local  union'  shall  subscribe  in  order 
to  keep  in  closer  touch  with  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  the 
entire  country. 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  establish  uniform  prices 
throughout  District  No.  2 all  miners  working  after  March  31, 
1899,  shall  pay  5 cents  per  ton  on  pick-mined  coal  and  3 cents 
per  ton  on  machine-mined  coal  to  support  those  miners  con- 
tending for  uniform  rates. 

Resolved,  That  our  district  officers  shall  be  instructed  to 
call  a joint  conference  of  operators  and  miners  at  as  early  a 
date  as  possible  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a better  under- 
standing respecting  the  condition  of  the  miners  and  the  coal 
trade  generally,  but  no  conference  shall  be  called  unless  in 
their  opinion  a sufficient  number  of  operators  manifest  a dis- 
position to  attend  such  a conference. 

Resolved,  That  eight  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work. 

Resolved,  That  we  abolish  the  free-turn  system  at  all  mines 
and  that  when  the  conference  of  operators  and  miners  is  held 
we  formulate  a dead-work  scale  to  govern  the  district. 

Resolved,  That  we  urge  this  convention  to  ask  for  a sealer 
of  weights  and  measures. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  the  enactment  of  the  employers’ 
liability  bill,  known  as  House  Bill  No.  299. 

Whereas,  The  mining  bureau  of  this  state  was  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  enforcing  the  mining  laws  in  a more  uniform 
and  vigorous  manner,  and  as  we  know  it  would  be  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  miners  to  have  one  of  their  own  craft  as  chief 
of  the  mining  bureau,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  of  this  convention  represent- 
ing the  miners  of  District  No.  2 indorse  and  recommend  to 
Hon.  Wm.  Stone,  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  T.  A.  Bradley,  of 
Lilly,  knowing  him  to  be  fully  qualified  to  fill  the  position  as 
chief  of  said  bureau  with  satisfaction  to  the  miners  and  to 
the  mining  interest  and  with  credit  and  honor  to  his  superiors. 

The  auditors  then  submitted  their  report. 

Upon  motion  the  report  was  accepted  and  committee  dis- 
charged. 

The  convention  then  proceeded  with  the  election  of  officers 
for  the  ensuing  term.  The  following  officers  were  elected: 
W.  B.  Wilson,  president;  Richard  Gilbert,  secretary -treasurer ; 
Bernard  Rice,  vice-president;  Ernest  Reber,  Simeon  Harts- 


708 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


horn,  James  Cosgrove,  Thos.  Moriarity,  Andy  Malody,  George 
Wilson,  executive  hoard. 

Upon  motion  the  retiring  officers  were  tendered  a vote  of 
thanks. 

A motion  was  made  and  carried  that  we  hold  mass  meet- 
ings throughout  the  district  on  April  1 to  agitate  and  place 
before  the  miners  the  resolutions  adopted  at  this  convention. 

Upon  motion,  the  power  was  given  the  executive  board  to 
appoint  time  for  calling  and  place  for  holding  next  convention. 

The  following  officers  then  addressed  the  convention : 
George  Harris,  Pat  Dolan,  Wm.  Warner,  Edward  McKay, 
Chris  Evans,  W.  B.  Wilson,  R.  Gilbert. 

Upon  motion,  the  convention  was  declared  adjourned. 

(Signed)  W.  B.  Wilson,  President. 

Richard  Gilbert,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

ORGANIZED  AND  UNORGANIZED  MINERS 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  March  28,  1899. 

Convention  of  organized  and  unorganized  miners  came  to 
order  at  10  a.  m.,  with  President  Dolan  in  the  chair,  and  the 
following  were  appointed  as  credentials  committee:  Hugh 

McLaughlin,  Edward  Harrington  and  James  Daily. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Convention  came  .to  order.  President  Dolan  in  the  chair. 
Credentials  committee  reported  the  following  delegates  en- 
titled to  seats:  G.  W.  Fulton,  Robt.  Gordan,  John  Hurton, 

James  Murray,  Edward  Thomas,  Robt.  Jenkins,  Joseph  Don- 
ald, Chris  Lax,  Bartley  McManus,  James  Campbell,  John 
Craner,  H.  L.  Jones,  John  T.  Elmer,  Thos.  Brown,  John  Walk- 
er, L.  B.  Leadbeater,  Curtis  B'eaumont,  Samuel  J.  Howey, 
Robt.  McCallum,  James  Stevenson,  Frank  Haywood,  James 
Watchorn,  Wm.  Frew,  John  Murray,  Wm.  Strausser,  H.  G. 
Cox,  James  McFarland,  Jacobs  Padgelick,  Wm.  .Davis,  John 
Penka,  J.  H.  Coking,  James  Byford,  W.  C.  Cline,  S.  P.  Mun- 
sey,  W.  R.  Wilson,  J.  W.  Davis,  Richard  Williams,  T.  H.  John- 
son, Thomas  Chattaway,  John  McGoulgrick,  J.  S.  Neff,  J.  W. 
Van  Fosson,  Frank  Naylor,  Herbert  Wilding,  Wm.  Roberts, 
James  Oates,  R.  S.  Nelson,  John  Baumiller,  Thos.  F.  Conley, 


Organized  and  Unorganized  Miners 


709 


David  Graham,  Hugh  McLinden,  John  Henderson,  Geo.  W. 
Rigby,  Frank  McVey,  Edward  Harrington,  John  McClintock, 
John  Neale,  H.  Grage,  J.  E.  Harrispn,  W.  G.  Russell,  James 
Miller,  Frank  McKenna,  Matthew  Kerrigan,  Steve  Stomick, 
Wm.  Little,  H.  McLaughlin,  J.  C.  Hileman,  E.  M.  Muldonny, 
Mike  Pyers,  Ernest  Widower,  Thos.  Butterworth,  Robt.  Wal- 
lace, Sam  Harger,  Wilson  Conner,  John  McCoole,  Wm.  Grant, 
Jacob  Haidle,  James  Baling,  James  Daily,  James  Bretton,  Jos. 
Jones,  Monton  Brick,  Jacob  Weber,  Thos.  West,  Dan  Vilkey, 
J.  C.  Butler,  Andrew  Young,  Geo.  Vikes,  Dan  Simpson,  Frank 
Morgan,  Thos.  Sheehan,  Geo.  Parker,  J.  C.  Wilson,  Evan  R. 
Richards,  Jesse  Byns,  John  Sykes,  Thos.  Young. 

The  committee’s  report  was  accepted,  and  reporters  ad- 
mitted. 

President  Dolan  read  the  call  for  the  convention. 

Motion,  that  the  same  rules  that  governed  former  conven- 
tions be  the  rules  to  govern  this  convention,  and  when  ten  men 
call  for  a roll  call  the  same  shall  be  taken. 

Amended  that  each  delegate  have  a vote. 

Chair  appointed  J.  Murray,  R.  Gordan  and  William  Frew 
as  committee  to  keep  order  and  take  list  of  all  delegates  who 
persist  in  being  disorderly. 

Secretary  read  the  scale  as  drawn  up  by  the  committee 
and  agreed  to  by  the  operators. 

Motion,  that  report  be  received  and  taken  up  seriatim. 

Carried. 

As  per  order  the  following  corrections  were  adopted. 

First  correction  in  scale  relating  to  pick  entries. 

Second,  relating  to  drains  in  all  places. 

Third,  relating  to  cutting  with  punching  machines. 

Fourth,  relating  to  loading  after  punching  machine. 

Fifth,  relating  to  loading  after  all  chain  machines. 

Sixth,  additions  to  scale  relating  to  wet  entries  and  thick 
slate. 

Motion,  that  we  adopt  the  scale  as  a whole. 

Agreed  to. 

The  differential  between  thin  and  thick  vein  was  next 
taken  up,  and  papers  as  presented  by  both  thick  and  thin  vein 
operators  were  read. 


710 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


President  Dolan  also  explained  our  position  on  the  matter 
and  what  had  been  proposed. 

Motion,  that  the  chairman  appoint  a committee  of  three  to 
present  the  thin  vein  proposition  from  operators  to  thick  vein 
operators,  and  try  to  bring  about  another  joint  meeting. 

Carried. 

Chairman  appointed  committee  as  follows : William  Little, 
Joseph  Donald,  Thomas  Sheehan. 

Convention  adjourned  until  tomorrow. 

William  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

MORNING  SESSION 

Convention  came  to  order  at  9:30  a.  m.,  with  President 
Dolan  in  the  chair.  Report  of  committee  appointed  previous 
to  adjournment  March  28. 

Report  was  that  thick  vein  operators  would  do  all  in  their 
power  to  have  a meeting  tomorrow  at  10  a.  m.,  to  consider 
our  representations. 

Mr.  John  Sykes,  Local  Union  No.  478,  New  England,  and 
Thomas  Young,  Little  Redstone  Mine,  were  admitted  as  dele- 
gates, making  the  total  delegation  101. 

President  Dolan  here  gave  a short  address. 

Meeting  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Convention  came  to  order  at  1 p.  m.,  with  President  Dolan 
in  the  chair,  and  discussion  was  indulged  in  on  general  con- 
ditions. 

Motion,  that  all  delegates,  organized  and  unorganized,  on 
their  return  home  have  a 10  per  cent  levy  sent  in  to  the  secre- 
tary-treasurer as  soon  as  possible  to  pay  for  the  expenses  and 
bills  to  hand. 

Carried. 

Meeting  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION,  MARCH  30,  1899 

Convention  came  to  order  at  9 :30  a.  m.,  with  President 
Dolan  in  the  chair,  and  first  business  was  roll  call  on  instruc- 
tions of  delegates. 

The  question  was  raised  as  to  the  advisability  of  reporters 
being  present  during  roll  call. 


Organized  and  Unorganized  Miners 


711 


Motion,  that  we  request  reporters  to  retire  and  that  a press 
committee  be  appointed. 

Carried. 

Press  Committee — John  McGinty,  Mm.  Roberts  and  Wm. 
Dodds. 

The  roll  was  called  and  instructions  of  delegates  follow : 

Seventy-two  delegates  reported  their  miners  working 
eight  hours  per  day ; 20  that  the  eight-hour  day  was  not  being 
carried  out  in  their  mines;  and  differential  instructions  were 
30  with  discretionary  power,  6 for  arbitration,  35  for  6 6-10, 
16  for  13  2-10,  14  to  abolish  differential  entirely,  and  5 for  all 
the  miners  in  the  district  to  strike  if  thick  vein  miners  had 
to  strike. 

Motion,  that  we  observe  April  1st  as  a general  holiday. 

Carried  unanimously. 

Meeting  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Convention  came  to  order  with  President  Dolan  in  the 
chair,  and  a letter  from  H.  J.  Lawrence  was  read,  to  the  effect 
that  thick  vein  operators  could  not  give  us  their  answer  until 
about  3 p.  m. 

Motion,  that  we  take  a recess. 

Carried. 

At  3 p.  m.  the  convention  came  to  order  and  operators 
Dempster,  Schleuderberg,  Jones  and  Dysart  of  thin  vein  were 
present,  no  thick  vein  operators  being  present.  President 
Dolan  went  to  call  them  by  telephone,  and  on  his  return  noti- 
fied the  convention  that  someone  would  be  here  shortly.  In  a 
few  minutes  a communication  was  received  stating  that  they 
would  not  meet  the  thin  vein  operators  along  with  us. 

Mr.  Schleuderberg  desired  to  know  if  it  would  be  out  of 
place  to  address  the  convention. 

Motion,  that  we  now  hear  the  thin  vein  operators’  side  of 
the  question. 

Carried. 

Messrs.  Schleuderberg,  Dysart  and  Jones  gave  short  and 
interesting  addresses. 

Motion,  that  we  hear  *Mr.  Dempster’s  reply  to  the  thick 
vein  operators’  communication. 


712 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Mr.  Dempster  replied  to  a few  items  specifically,  and  his 
address  was  quite  lengthy,  and  then  the  thin  vein  operators 
retired,  promising  to  come  back  when  desired  by  us. 

Motion,  that  we  send  the  committee  to  invite  the  thick  vein 
operators  to  be  present  with  us  tomorrow  at  9 :30  a.  m.,  and 
that  if  the  thick  vein  operators’  committee  do  not  appear  be- 
fore this  convention  by  10  a.  m.,  we  proceed  to  do  business. 

Carried. 

President  Dolan  declared  convention  adjourned  until  to- 
morrow. 

MORNING  SESSION — MARCH  31,  1899 

Convention  came  to  order  at  9 :30  a.  m.,  with  President 
Dolan  in  the  chair.  Committee  to  see  thick  vein  operators 
reported  that  operators  would  be  here  at  10  a.  m. 

Motion,  that  the  report  be  received  and  committee  con- 
tinued.' 

Carried. 

Reporters  retired. 

Alex  Grant,  of  Walkers  Mills,  was  allowed  a seat,  but 
no  vote. 

Thick  vein  operators  Osbourne,  Snowden,  Blackburn, 
Baine,  Rodgers  and  Lawrence  entered  the  convention,  and 
made  short  addresses  in  rotation,  as  follows : Lawrence,  Rodg- 
ers, Baine,  Snowden  and  Osborne,  Mr.  Blackburn  not  making 
an  address,  and  they  all  retired. 

President  Dolan  then  appointed  resolution  committee  as 
follows:  Wm.  Frew,  John  Murray,  James  Murray,  Edward 
Thomas,  James  Miller,  S.  J.  Howe  and  Joseph  Donald. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

President  Dolan  called  the  convention  to  order,  and  the 
resolutions  committee  not  being  ready  to  report,  the  conven- 
tion took  a recess. 

At  2:30  p.  m.  President  Dolan  called  the  convention  to 
order. 

Resolutions  reported  and  adopted : 

Whereas,  According  to  statements  made  by  the  various 
delegates,  a few  of  the  miners  that  have  not  the  checkoff  sys- 
tem are  fully  represented ; therefore,  be  it 


Organized  and  Unorganized  Miners 


713 


Resolved,  That  we  recommend  that  an  effort  be  made  to 
establish  the  checkoff  system  in  all  the  districts. 

Whereas,  Some  delegates,  pretending  to  voice  the  senti- 
ments of  all  the  thick  vein  delegates,  stated  to  the  Pittsburg 
papers  yesterday  that  if  the  convention  would  take  any  action 
toward  changing  the  differential  said  delegates  would  bolt  the 
convention  and  the  organization ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  undersigned  delegates  of  the  thick 
vein  do  condemn  the  delegate  that  made  such  false  statements, 
and  we  declare  emphatically  that  he  did  not  voice  our  senti- 
ments. 

Resolved,  further.  That  we  wish  it  to  be  understood  that 
we  mean  to  abide  by  the  decision  of  the  majority  of  this  con- 
vention, and  will  do  all  in  our  power  to  get  our  consituents  to 
do  the  same.  (Signed  by  16  delegates.) 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  take  from  our 
midst  our  highly  esteerned  brother,  James  Kilduff,  ex-Secre- 
tary-Treasurer  of  District  2,  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, we,  .the  miners  of  the  Pittsburg  district,  assembled  in 
convention,  do  express  our  deepest  sympathy  and  regret  at 
losing  so  faithful  and  ardent  a worker  in  the  miners’  cause, 
and  that  we  have  a copy  of  this  sent  to  the  bereaved  family 
and  published  in  the  daily  press. 

Resolved,  That  we  give  the  operators  of  both  thick  and  thin 
vein  until  April  10,  1899,  to  consent  to  our  proposition  on 
arbitration. 

Adjourned  until  tomorrow. 

MORNING  SESSION — APRIL  1,  1899 

Convention  came  to  order  at  9 :30  a.  m.,  with  President 
Dolan  in  the  chair. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  submitting  the  differ- 
ential question  to  arbitration,  and  if  the  operators  agree  to  this 
proposition  the  decision  of  the  arbitrators  shall  be  effective 
from  April  1,  1899,  to  March  31,  1900,  or  during  our  scale 
year. 

Adopted  after  a lengthy  discussion. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  at  1 p.  m.  by  Presi- 
dent Dolan. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 


714 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


That  the  district  officers  and  executive  board  have  full 
charge  of  arbitration  arrangements. 

Bills  before  the  legislature,  which  were  numbered  184,  299, 
365,  371,  378  and  383  were  endorsed  by  the  resolution  commit- 
tee and  recommended  to  the  convention. 

That  we  favor  the  passage  of  these  bills,  and  that  the  sec- 
retary notify  the  parties  in  the  legislature  who  have  charge  of 
these  bills  to  this  effect. 

That  the  organized  delegates  go  into  executive  session  on 
Monday  morning  at  10  a.  m.,  and  take  up  the  investigation 
committee’s  report  and  dispose  of  same. 

Motion,  that  we  adjourn. 

MORNING  SESSION — APRIL  3,  1899 

Delegates  representing  the  organized  miners  came  to  order 
at  10  a.  m.,  with  President  Dolan  in  the  chair. 

President  Dolan  announced  the  purpose  of  this  special 
convention,  namely  the  investigation  committee’s  report,  and 
requested  that  a disinterested  delegate  be  elected  chairman  of 
this  convention  during  this  report  and  action  on  same. 

Hugh  McLaughlin  was  declared  elected  and  took  the  chair. 

Motion,  that  Brothers  Dolan  and  Warner  be  allowed  to  re- 
main in  the  hall,  but  that  we  allow  no  controversy  between 
them;  and  that  the  secretary  of  the  investigating  committee 
read  out  the  minutes  taken  during  their  investigation. 

Carried. 

The  convention  adjourned. 

William  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Convention  came  to  order  at  1 p.  m.,  with  Mr.  McLaughlin 
in  the  chair. 

The  chairman  appointed  F.  McKenna  and  John  McGinty  to 
keep  reporters  out. 

Secretary  Goaziou,  of  investigating  committee,  read  out 
the  minutes  of  their  sessions. 

Motion,  that  the  report  be  received  and  read. 

Carried. 

Report  was  read  and  discussed  and  explanations  given  by 
several  members  of  the  committee. 


Organized  and  Unorganized  Miners 


715 


Motion,  that  we  now  hear  from  Warner  and  Dolan. 

Carried. 

President  Dolan  stated  his  side,  of  the  question  of  differ- 
ence between  him  and  Brother  Warner,  ^and  the  convention 
adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION — APRIL  4,  1899 

The  convention  came  to  order  at  9 :30  a.  m.,  with  Chair- 
man McLaughlin  presiding. 

Mr.  Warner  took  the  floor  to  present  his  side  of  the  case, 
and  kept  the  floor  up  to  five  minutes  of  12  o’clock,  when  the 
chairman  adjourned  the  convention. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Convention  convened  at  1 p.  m.,  with  Mr.  McLaughlin  in 
the  chair,  and  Mr.  Warner  resumed  his  address  up  to  fifteen 
minutes  after  2 p.  m. 

Motion,  that  Warner  and  Dolan  retire. 

Lost. 

President  Dolan  requested  and  was  given  the  floor  for  ten 
minutes. 

A resolution  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a resolution 
on  this  case,  consisting  of  Thomas  Brown,  John  Sykes  and 
John  Murray. 

Motion,  that  committee  retire  while  we  take  up  other  busi- 
ness. 

Carried. 

Auditor  Kerrigan  here  made  the  report  of  their  audit  for 
February,  and  replied  to  Mr.  Warner’s  letter  in  the  Journal 
relating  to  their  report. 

Motion,  that  report  be  received. 

Carried. 

During  the  discussion  of  above  motion  Mr.  Warner’s  ex- 
pense account  for  February  was  produced  and  read. 

Warner  and  Dolan  retired. 

The  resolution  committee  here  gave  their  report. 

Motion,  that  the  resolution  be  referred  back  to  the  commit- 
tee for  alteration. 

Carried. 


716 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  time  for  adjournment  having  arrived,  the  chairman 
declared  the  convention  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION — APRIL  5,  1899 

The  convention  came  to  order  at  9:30  a.  m.,  with  Mc- 
Laughlin in  the  chair. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  made  a report  stating  their 
inability  to  agree,  when  other  resolutions  introduced  caused  a 
continued  discussion  that  lasted  during  the  entire  morning 
session,  and  the  convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Convention  came  to  order  at  1 p.  m.,  with  Mr.  McLaughlin 
in  the  chair. 

President  Dolan  wished  to  have  the  floor  for  a while. 

Motion,  that  President  Dolan  have  the  floor. 

Carried. 

President  Dolan  here  took  the  floor  for  a few  minutes,  and 
in  his  remarks  said  that  he  did  not  expect  that  he  was  to  be 
kept  outside  of  this  convention  so  long,  and  hoped  the  dele- 
gates would  get  down  to  business  and  come  to  some  conclusion. 

A substitute  to  take  the  place  of  all  resolutions  under  con- 
sideration was  presented  and  read  as  follows: 

Whereas,  Our  organization  is  suffering  from  the  effects  of 
the  financial  trouble  in  the  district  that  has  been  drifting 
along  for  several  months  between  the  President  and  our  ex- 
Secretary-Treasurer,  that  we  feel  it  necessary  to  put  a stop 
to  it  in  a way  that  will  be  just  and  satisfactory  to  the  members 
of  our  organization, 

Resolved,  That  we  hold  Mr.  Warner  responsible  for  the 
overpayment  of  wages  to  the  district  officials,  and  that  we 
request  the  district  executive  board  to  demand  of  our  ex- 
Secretary-Treasurer  that  he  refund  to  his  successor  in  office 
all  moneys  overpaid  to  any  official  in  the  district,  and  on  his 
refusing  to  do  the  same  that  the  district  executive  board  enter 
suit  for  the  recovery  of  all  moneys  in  dispute  in  behalf  of  the 
members  of  the  district  organization. 

Motion,  That  the  substitute  as  read  be  adopted. 

Carried. 

The  following  delegates  wished  to  go  on  record  as  voting 
against  substitute:  Richard  Williams,  John  Sykes,  E.  M.  Mul- 


Indiana  Joint  Agreement,  1899 


717 


downey,  John  Baumiller,  W.  C.  Cline,  William  Richard,  Ed- 
ward Thomas,  William  Russell,  T.  H.  Johnson  and  Hugh  Mc- 
Linden.  , 

President  Dolan  here  took  the  chair. 

Motion,  that  we  give  Mr.  McLaughlin  a vote  of  thanks  for 
the  impartial  way  he  has  treated  the  delegates  during  this 
case. 

Carried.  Delegate  Richard  Williams  voting  in  the  nega- 
tive. 

Motion,  that  the  books  and  documents  belonging  to  the 
district  be  turned  over  to  the  Secretary-Treasurer  by  the  in- 
vestigating committee. 

Carried. 

Motion,  that  we  give  a vote  of  thanks  to  the  investigating 
committee  and  that  they  be  discharged. 

Carried. 

Mr.  Smith  stated  that  there  was  some  personal  property 
of  Mr.  Warner’s  in  among  the  documents,  and  wished  them  to 
be  returned  to  him. 

Motion  that  the  two  men  who  had  charge  of  the  books  and 
documents  open  the  package  and  let  us  see  all  the  property. 

Carried. 

Motion,  that  we  adjourn  sine  die. 

Convention  adjourned. 

William  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  MINERS  AND  OPERATORS 
OF  DISTRICT  No.  11. 

The  following  agreement  entered  into  in  the  joint  .State 
convention  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  March  29,  1899,  by  and 
between  the  bituminous  operators  and  miners  of  the  State, 
witnesseth : 

First — That  the  declaration  of  the  contract  by  and  between 
the  operators  of  the  competitive  coal  fields  and  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  entered  into  at  Chicago,  Illinois, 
January  26,  1898,  and  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  March  10,  1898,  and 
reaffirmed  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  January  24,  1899,  be 
and  hereby  are,  reaffirmed  in  the  identical  terms  therein  em- 
ployed. 


718 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Second — That  further  details  and  scale  of  prices  for  pick 
and  machine  mining  in  the  State  of  Indiana  for  one  year, 
beginning  April  1,  1899,  shall  be  as  follows : 

Pick  Mining 

Yardage — In  entries  7 to  9 feet  wide,  $1.37;  in  entries  12 
feet,  price  shall  be  five-eighths  of  narrow  work,  or  851/2  cents. 
Wide  entries  shall  not  exceed  12  feet,  it  being  understood  that 
this  applies  to  entry  work  only. 

Break-throughs — Break-throughs  in  entries  shall  be  paid 
for  at  entry  price.  Break-throughs  between  rooms,  when 
sheared  or  blocked,  shall  be  paid  for  at  entry  price,  but  no 
break-throughs  shall  be  driven  without  the  consent  of  the 
operator.  Nothing  herein  shall  interfere  with  strict  com- 
pliance with  the  law  governing  break-throughs. 

Room  Turning — Room  turning,  $3.30.  Room  necks  to  be 
driven  12  feet  in,  and  widened  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees,  when 
so  desired  by  operator.  Any  distance  in  excess  of  above  shall 
be  paid  for  proportionately. 

Machine  Work 

Yardage — In  entries  7 to  9 feet  wide,  98  cents ; in  entries 
12  feet,  five-eighths  of  price  for  narrow  entries,  or  61  cents. 
When  the  machine  runners  in  12  foot  entries  are  paid  by  the 
day,  and  entry  is  not  sheared,  the  shooters  and  loaders  shall 
be  paid  two-thirds  of  the  yardage.  It  is  understood  that  this 
applies  to  entry  work  only. 

Break-throughs — Break-throughs  between  entries,  same  as 
entry  price.  Break-throughs  between  rooms  shall  be  paid  for 
at  entry  price  when  similarly  driven.  This  applies  to  width 
and  not  to  method  of  mining. 

Room  Turning — Room  turning,  $2.47^.  Room  necks  to 
be  driven  12  feet  in  and  widened  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees, 
when  so  desired  by  operators.  Any  distance  in  excess  of  the 
above  shall  be  paid  for  proportionately.  When  room  necks 
are  driven  12  feet  wide  price  shall  be  five-eighths  of  regular 
price,  or  $1. 541/2- 

Day  Work  Punching  Machines — Machine  cutting,  when 
paid  for  by  the  day,  shall  be  for  cutter,  $2.35;  helper,  $1.85. 

Day  Work  Chain  or  Cutter  Bar  Machine — When  paid  by 
the  day  shall  be:  Cutter,  $2.35;  helper,  $2.11.  It  being  under- 
stood that  a day’s  work  shall  not  be  less  than  twenty-seven 
cuts.  All  cuts  in  excess  of  twenty-seven  shall  be  paid  for  pro- 
portionately. 

Price  Per  Ton  for  Machine  Mining — When  paid  for  by  the 
ton  the  price  of  coal  mined  with  machines  shall  be  three- 
quarters  of  the  price  paid  for  pick-mined  coal,  or  49V2  cents. 


Indiana  Joint  Agkeement,  1899 


719 


The  prices  per  ton  after  chain  machines  shall  remain  the 
same  at  the  respective  mines  as  during  the  year  ending  April 
1,  1899. 

Blacksmithing — The  price  of  blacksmithing  shall  be  one 
and  one-quarter  cents  on  the  dollar,  excepting  after  chain 
machines,  where  no  blacksmithing  shall  be  charged. 

General 

It  is  further  agreed  that  if  any  differences  arise  between 
the  operators  and  the  miners  at  any  pit,  a settlement  shall  be 
arrived  at  without  stopping  work.  If  the  parties  immediately 
affected  can  not  reach  an  adjustment  between  themselves,  the 
question  shall  be  referred  without  delay  to  a board  of  arbitra- 
tion consisting  of  two  operators  selected  by  the  operators  in- 
terested and  two  miners  selected  by  District  No.  11,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America.  In  event  of  these  four  being  un- 
able to  reach  a decision,  they  shall  select  a fifth  man,  and  the 
decision  of  a board  so  constituted  shall  be  final,  but  no  miner 
or  operator  interested  in  the  differences  shall  be  a member 
of  said  board. 

That  where  the  coal  is  paid  for  mine-run  or  on  screened 
coal  basis,  it  shall  be  mined  in  a careful,  workmanlike  manner, 
and  when  loaded  on  the  miner’s  car  it  shall,  as  nearly  as  possi- 
ble, be  free  from  slate,  bone  dal,  sulphur  and  other  impurities. 

Payment  for  all  labor  shall  be  made  twice  a month,  not 
later  than  the  10th  and  25th  of  each  month. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  operators  shall  offer  no  ob- 
jection to  the  checkoff  for  checkweighman  and  for  dues  for 
the  federation,  provided  that  no  checkoff  shall  be  made  against 
any  person  until  he  shall  have  first  given  his  consent  in  writ- 
ing to  his  employer.  This  applies  to  all  underground  day 
work,  as  well  as  miners. 

The  time  of  beginning  work  in  the  morning  and  the  length 
of  intermission  at  noon  shall  be  considered  a local  question. 

Resolutions 

Resolved,  That  while  the  number  of  stoppages  for  various 
causes  during  the  past  year  has  decreased,  it  is  still  the  opin- 
ion of  both  miners  and  operators  that  sufficient  attention  has 
not  been  paid  by  either  side  to  the  agreement — “That  if  any 
differences  arise  between  the  operators  and  the  miners  at  any 
pit  a settlement  skall  be  arrived  at  without  stopping  of  work.” 
It  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  both  miners  and  operators  that 
this  agreement  should  be  strictly  observed  by  both.  We  wish 
particularly  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  all  such  differ- 
ences, even  in  the  event  of  stoppage,  have  been  settled  by  arbi- 
tration and  work  resumed,  and  had  the  agreement  been  strictly 


720 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


observed  these  stoppages  would  not  have  occurred,  the  same 
settlement  would  have  been  secured,  and  both  miners  and 
operators  would  have  been  saved  the  heavy  losses  caused  by 
these  stoppages. 

That  these  resolutions  be  compiled  in  the  form  of  a con- 
tract, and  signed  by  the  president  and  secretary  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  representing  District  No.  11,  and 
the  president  and  secretary  of  the  Bituminous  Coal  Opera- 
tors’ Association  of  Indiana,  that  they  be  printed  and  a copy 
sent  to  each  and  every  mine  and  posted. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names 
this  30th  day  of  March,  1899. 

W.  D.  Van  Horn,  President, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  District  11. 

Attest:  J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

J.  Smith  Talley,  President, 
Bituminous  Coal  Operators’  Association  of  Indiana. 

Attest:  J.  W.  Landrum,  Secretary, 

Bituminous  Coal  Operators’  Association  of  Indiana. 

CONVENTION  OF  HOCKING  VALLEY  MINERS 

Nelsonville,  Ohio,  March  30,  1899. 

Convention  was  called  to  order  by  President  Hardy  at 
10  a.  m.  The  call  for  the  convention  was  then  read  as  follows : 

Orbiston,  Ohio,  March  22. — At  the  request  of  President 
Haskins,  of  the  Ohio  miners,  your  local  is  hereby  requested  to 
send  a delegate  to  a meeting  to  be  held  in  Nelsonville,  Ohio, 
March  30,  1899,  at  10  o’clock,  at  the  Coleman  House.  Dele- 
gates will  be  requested  to  act  upon  the  following: 

First — Are  you  in  favor  of  allowing  companies  to  reduce 
width  of  entries  from  four  to  three  cuts? 

Second — To  express  your  opinion  as  to  whether  the  present 
yardage  on  double  shift  entries  shall  continue  or  not. 

Hoping  that  all  locals  will  give  this  call  a hearty  response. 

Motion  to  accept  the  same  and  act  upon  it  prevailed. 

The  following  delegates  were  present : — Thos.  Lacks,  Thos. 
Cairns,  Geo.  Shackert,  John  Gears,  Pat  Loper,  Irvin  Nanna, 
James  Bayliss,  James  Hardy. 

On  the  question  of  the  appointment  of  committees,  it  was 
moved  to  go  into  executive  session,  as  a committee  of  the 
whole. 

Motion  prevailed. 


Hocking  Valley  Miners’  Convention 


721 


President  Haskins,  of  the  Ohio  miners,  was  then  called 
upon  to  explain  the  reason  why  this  meeting  was  called,  and 
he  responded,  going  into  the  details  which  gave  rise  to  the 
necessity  for  calling  the  meeting  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
present,  after  which  a suggestion  was  offered  that  we  enter 
into  a general  debate  on  the  propositions  submitted  prior  to 
calling  the  roll. 

Delegates  then  explained  their  views  and  the  action  of 
their  locals  on  the  matter. 

Noon  hour  having  arrived,  it  was  moved  that  we  adjourn 
for  dinner  and  reconvene  at  12  m. 

Carried. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Meeting  called  to  order  at  12  m.  All  representatives 
present. 

Motion  was  made  that  we  still  maintain  the  yardage  on 
double  shift  entries,  and  that  we  also  maintain  that  all  narrow 
work  be  driven  four  cuts  wide. 

On  roll  call  the  question  of  allowing  the  companies  to  re- 
duce width  of  narrow  work  from  four  to  three  cuts  was 
unanimously  objected  to,  and  on  the  question  as  to  whether 
the  present  yardage  price  on  double  shift  entries  should  con- 
tinue or  not,  a unanimous  affirmative  vote  was  recorded. 

National  Executive  Board  Member  Dilcher  was  present, 
and  spoke  at  length,  advising  the  delegates  present  to  do  all 
in  their  power  to  bring  about  a closer  relationship  in  the  mem- 
bers of  their  locals.  He  also  assured  the  state  and  sub-district 
officials  that  the  National  Board  stood  ready  at  all  times  to 
send  all  the  support  in  their  power  to  aid  them  in  strengthen- 
ing the  organization  in  this  field.  He  also  advised  in  justice 
to  the  operators  that  the  delegates  adopt  resolutions  providing 
a specific  width  for  narrow  work,  irrespective  of  the  width  of 
the  machine  cutter  head. 

President  Haskins  also  spoke  at  length  on  the  necessity 
for  active  co-operation  on  the  part  of  all  officials  in  the  organi- 
zation to  better  the  conditions  of  the  miners  in  general  all 
over  the  field. 

The  delegates  present  also  expressed  their  opinions  that 
we  should  all  have  closer  affiliation  with  each  other,  after 


722 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


which  Brother  Dilcher’s  suggestion  was  acted  upon  in  the 
following  manner. 

Moved,  That  we  demand  that  all  narrow  work  be  driven 
not  less  than  12  feet  wide. 

Carried  unanimously. 

Moved  to  adjourn. 

Carried.  James  Hardy,  President. 

Joseph  Richards,  Secretary. 


JOINT  AGREEMENT,  BEAVER  VALLEY, 
PITTSBURG  DISTRICT  SCALE. 


April  1,  1899  to  March  31,  1900,  agreed  to  at  joint  confer- 
ence of  operators  and  Miners. 

Wampum,  May  10,  1899. 


One-inch  screen  coal,  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds $ .71 

Run-of-mine,  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds .47  1-1 

Entries  7 feet  wide,  coal  to  company,  per  yard 2. .50 

Wet  entries,  7 feet  wide,  coal  to  company,  per  yard,  extra .25 

Double  shift  entries,  7 ft.  wide,  coal  to  company, 

per  yard  extra .25 

Air  courses,  where  bottom  is  taken  up,  per  yard 1.00 

Air  courses,  where  bottom  is  not  taken  up,  per  yard .75 

Room-turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  21  feet 3.00 

Break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard .65 

Where  bone  coal  comes  down  from  1%  to  6 inches  in 

thickness,  extra  per  ton .05 

Pick  sliarpening  shall  be,  per  ton .01 

Ingersoll  Machine  Scale one  inch  screen 

Undercutting  in  rooms,  per  ton -1614 

Loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .35% 

I'ndercutting,  all  narrow  work,  per  ton,  16  9-10  and  20c  per 
yard  extra. 

Loading,  all  narrow  work,  per  ton .45% 

Narrow  work  includes  entries,  air  courses,  room-turning 
and  break-tliroughs. 


Signed  by  Operators : 

H.  K.  Hartsuff,  R.  H.  Mehard. 

Matthew  Gunton, 


Miners’  Committee: 

Sam  Frye, 

A.  S.  Hill, 
Hugh  Jackson, 
Dan  F.  Lutz, 


Alex  Young, 
Wm.  Condron, 
Geo.  Galbraith, 
R.  McMillan. 


Approved  May  11,  1899. 

P.  Dolan,  President. 

Wm.  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

District  No.  5,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 


Eight-Hour  Day  Celebration 


723 


On  April  1,  1899,  the  mine  workers  of  Nelsonville,  Ohio, 
celebrated  the  eight-hour  movement  with  great  enthusiasm. 
National  Secretary  W,  C.  Pearce  and  John  P.  Jones  of  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  were  the  orators  and  their  reception  was  intensely 
interesting  from  the  standpoint  of  numbers  present  and  the 
mine  workers’  band  of  music  that  rendered  such  efficient 
service  which  made  the  celebration  unusually  attractive. 

Alexander  Johnson  was  made  chairman,  and  the  happy 
vein  of  thoughts  expressed  in  his  opening  remarks  secured 
for  him  the  retention  of  love  and  esteem  that  had  so  long  en- 
deared him  in  the  hearts  of  the  Hocking  Valley  miners  that 
he  had  served  so  well  in  peace  and  in  storm. 

Hon.  Asher  Buckley,  mayor  of  the  city,  delivered  the  ad- 
dress of  welcome  eulogizing  in  strong  terms  the  advanced  steps 
made  by  the  mine  workers’  organization  that  had  contributed 
so  much  towards  stimulating  action  on  the  part  of  other 
trades. 

Ex-president  Jones,  in  his  address,  complimented  Charley 
highly,  and  said  he  was  proud  to  say  and  glad  to  know  that  he 
had  the  distinction  of  appointing  such  a worthy  la,bor  leader 
as  Charley  Pearce  had  proven  himself  to  be.  Chairman  John- 
son closed  the  meeting  with  a strong  invitation  for  an  in- 
creased membership  in  the  union  that  had  reduced  the  hours 
of  labor  and  done  so  much  to  improve  conditions  around  the 
mines. 

From  a detailed  semi-annual  report  made  out  by  Secretary 
T.  L.  Lewis  of  District  No.  6,  July  8,  1899,  the  auditors  ap- 
pointed reported  as  follows: 

AUDITOR’S  SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT. 

To  the  officers  and  members  of  District  6,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

We,  your  Committee  on  Auditing,  having  examined  all 
books,  receipts  and  vouchers,  find  them  properly  kept  and  also 
correct  in  every  particular,  and  desire  to  submit  the  following 
report : 

Receipts — Balance  on  hand  January  1,  1899,  $1,699.57 ; 
Receipts  for  six  months,  $4,258.85. 

Expense — Salaries  and  expenses,  $2,849.78;  Incidental, 
$652.13;  Relief,  $400.00;  Total,  $3,901.91. 


724 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Balance  on  hand  June  30,  1899,  $2,056.51. 

We  certify  that  the  Secretary-Treasurer  presented  drafts 
and  certified  checks  on  banks  showing  that  there  was  on  de- 
posit June  30,  1899,  $2,056.51. 

G.  Savage, 

S.  H.  Wilson, 

W.  T.  Evans, 

Auditing  Committee. 

DAVIS  RESIGNS. 

“Indianapolis,  Indiana,  July  17,  1899. 
“John  Mitchell,  President  U.  M.  W.  of  A., 

Stevenson  Building,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

“Dear  Sir  and  Brother : — It  is  with  feelings  of  the  utmost 
regret  that  I take  the  present  opportunity  of  placing  in  your 
hands  my  resignation  of  the  office  of  Vice-President  of  our 
organization,  to  take  effect  on  the  31st  day  of  the  present 
month,  July,  1899. 

“I  beg  to  assure  you  and  the  membership  generally  that  in 
the  future,  as  in  the  past,  I shall  rejoice  at  everj’-  forward  step 
taken  to  advance  the  interest  of  my  fellow-craftsmen,  so  that 
more  comfortable  conditions  of  employment  may  be  theirs  in 
the  future  and  a greater  compensation  paid  them  for  the  labor 
they  perform  than  ever  before. 

“I  am,  yours  respectfully, 

“Thos.  W.  Davis.” 

Anent  the  above  resignation  we  can  only  say  that  Brother 
Davis  has  informed  us  that  he  has  not  resigned  through  any 
unpleasant  friction  or  lack  of  courtesy  upon  the  part  of  his 
colleagues  in  office,  or  from  the  rank  and  file  of  our  members, 
and  expresses  his  appreciation  of  the  many  kindnesses  re- 
ceived from  the  miners  during  the  many  years  he  has  been  in 
their  employ,  and  that  it  is  with  a feeling  of  reluctance  that 
he,  for  business  reasons,  now  severs  his  official  connection 
with  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America.  Tom,  as  he  is 
familiarly  called,  has  been  almost  constantly  employed  in 
some  official  capacity  by  our  organization  for  the  past  U\’-elve 
years,  during  which  time  he  has  always  proven  himself  an 
active,  honest,  agressive  worker.  There  is  perhaps,  no  man 
in  connection  with  the  organization  who  possesses  a greater 
store  of  knowledge  concerning  mining  affairs  than  Vice-Presi- 
dent Davis,  who  was  frequently  dubbed  “our  walking  encyclo- 
pedia.” He  is  widely  knowm  and  respected,  because  of  his 
practical  knowledge,  and  of  late  years  has  been  regarded  as 


Tennessee  Joint  Convention 


725 


authority  upon  the  many  intricate  problems  which  so  fre- 
quently arise  in  connection  with  the  coal  business.  Tom  is 
noted  among  miners  for  his  conservatism,  practicability  and 
geniality,  and  will  be  sorely  missed  fn  the  future  councils  of 
our  craft.  We  believe  that  it  is  with  a feeling  of  reluctance 
that  he  is  released  from  official  position,  and  think  that  we 
voice  the  sentiments  of  the  majority  of  our  members  in  wish- 
ing his  prosperity  and  happiness  in  future  life.  Personally 
there  is  no  man  connected  with  the  organization  that  seemed 
more  near  to  us  than  Brother  Davis,  and  we  regret  very  much 
to  be  deprived  of  his  warm,  friendly,  elevating  companion- 
ship, and  we  desire  to  publicly  acknowledge  our  appreciation 
of  his  abilities,  thank  him  for  many  favors,  and  express  the 
hope  that  in  the  future  he  may  be  endowed  with  the  blessings 
of  life  which  his  honor  and  abilities  merit. 

W.  C.  Scott, 

Editor,  United  Mine  Workers  Journal. 

JOINT  CONVENTION— COAL  CREEK,  TENN. 

Miners’  joint  convention  called  to  order  at  8:30  a.  m.,  July 
17,  1899,  President  Smith  in  the  chair.  Convention  opened 
with  prayer  by  C.  L.  Polston. 

President  Smith  appointed  committees  on  credentials,  or- 
der of  business,  resolutions,  and  scale. 

Credential  committee  reported  twenty-four  delegates  en- 
titled to  seats  and  voice,  which  was  accepted. 

Committee  on  order  of  business  reported  and  same  ac- 
cepted. 

Scale  committee’s  report  was  taken  up  seriatim.  Report 
was  adopted  with  corrections. 

Resolution  committee  reported  and  report  was  accepted 
as  a whole. 

Convention  adjourned  till  8:30  a.  m.,  July  18th. 

SECOND  DAY’S  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President.  Chair  appointed 
committee  to  inform  operators  that  we  were  ready  to  meet 
them.  Operators  arrived  at  10 :00  a.  m. 

After  considerable  discussion  convention  adjourned. 

afternoon  session. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 p.  m.  by  President  Smith. 


726 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Miners’  scale  was  presented  to  the  operators  for  their  con- 
sideration, which  was  discussed  pro  and  con,  operators  asking 
for  an  extension  of  time  for  good  reasons. 

The  chair  declared  an  adjournment  till  10:00  a.  m.,  July 
27,  1899.  T.  J.  Smith,  Chairman, 

J.  S.  McCracken,  Secretary. 

JOINT  CONVENTION,  JULY  27TH. 

Convention  called  to  order  with  President  T.  J.  Smith  in 
chair. 

T.  J.  Smith  was  elected  chairman  of  joint  convention. 
J.  R.  Wooldridge  was  elected  secretary  of  operators;  J.  S.  Mc- 
Cracken was  elected  secretary  of  miners. 

By  motion  Major  E.  C.  Camp  was  allowed  the  floor  to  read 
his  document  on  Coal  Creek  conditions,  which  paper  was 
tabled  by  convention. 

The  scale  was  read. 

On  motion  the  chair  appointed  Col.  T.  H.  Heald,  Hywell 
Davis  and  W.  T.  Lewis  as  scale  committee  for  operators,  to 
meet  miners’  scale  committee. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  2 p.  m.  by  chair. 

Operators’  proposition  was  presented  to  convention,  which 
was  referred  l)ack  to  scale  committee  for  their  further  con- 
sideration. 

Convention  was  declared  adjourned  till  8 p.  m.  by  the 
chairman. 

NIGHT  SESSION. 

Called  to  order  by  Chairman  Smith. 

Scale  committee  reported.  Operators  offered  a ten  per 
cent  advance  all  round,  with  a further  advance  of  2yo  per  cent 
to  be  left  to  arbitration. 

Moved  and  carried,  that  we  accept  the  advance  of  ten  per 
cent,  all  round,  and  leave  21/2  per  cent  to  arbitration. 

Moved  that  the  vote  be  made  unanimous. 

Carried. 


Tennessee  Joint  Convention 


727 


Signed  on  behalf  of  operators : 

Col.  T.  H.  Heald,  Hywell  Davis, 

W.  T.  Lewis,  J.  R..  Wooldridge,  Secretary. 


For  the  miners: 


J.  W.  Howe, 
W.  K.  Smith, 
Joe  Woods, 


J.  S.  Bell, 


Dist.  Ex.  Board  Member. 
W.  R.  Fairley, 


G.  W.  Eustler, 

H.  G.  Bryant, 


Natl.  Ex.  Board  Member. 
T.  J.  Smith,  Pres.  Dist.  19. 


J.  S.  McCracken,  Sec.-Treas. 

Convention  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  last  Thursday  in 
July,  1900,  to  formulate  a new  scale. 

T.  J.  Smith,  Chairman. 

J.  S.  McCracken,  Secretary  for  Miners. 

J.  R.  Wooldridge,  Secretary  for  Operators. 

AGREEMENT  OF  ARBITRATORS  LATER. 

The  arbitrators  appointed  by  Coal  Creek  convention  met 
in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  October  11,  1899.  On  motion,  W.  R. 
Fairley  was  elected  chairman;  Arthur  Groves  and  J.  S.  Mc- 
Cracken, secretaries,  after  which  there  was  considerable  dis- 
cussion by  Fairley  and  Hywell  Davis. 

On  motion,  the  meeting  adjourned  until  2 o’clock. p.  m.  At 
the  stated  time  the  board  was  again  called  to  ^rder  by  the 
chairman.  After  a short  explanation  of  contract  by  Colonel 
Heald,  on  motion  a committee  of  one  operator  and  one  miner 
was  appointed  to  write  the  decision  of  the  board. 

W.  R.  Fairley  represented  the  miners  and  Hywell  Davis 
the  operators. 

The  following  agreement  was  the  result  of  their  labor. 


We,  the  undersigned  arbitrators  appointed  by  the  Coal 
Creek  convention,  hereby  agree  to  grant  the  additional  2V2 
per  cent,  making  a total  advance  of  twelve  and  one-half  (I2V2) 
per  cent  on  the  price  in  effect  before  the  said  Coal  Creek 
agreement  went  into  effect,  August  1,  1899. 

This  modification  regarding  the  date  of  said  21/^  per  cent 
going  into  effect  November  1,  1899,  is  mutually  agreed  in  or- 


AGREEMENT. 


728 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


der  to  dispense  with  the  necessity  of  submitting  the  case  to 
a referee. 

T.  H.  Heald. 

Hywell  Davis. 

Approved:  Arthur  Groves,  Secretary. 

M.  S.  Elliott. 

Joe  Vasey. 

J.  S.  McCracken,  Secy-Treas.,  Dist.  19. 
W.  R.  Fairley,  Natl.  Board  Member, 

U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

Respectfully  yours,  J.  S.  McCracken. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

PITTSBURG  ADJOURNED  CONVENTION, 

JULY  20,  1899. 

Adjourned  convention  of  June  14th  and  17th  met  at  10 
a.  m.,  with  Vice-President  Buchan  in  the  chair. 

Committee  on  credentials  was  appointed  as  follows: 
H.  Walker,  William  Feick,  James  Elliott. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Wm.  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  1 p.  m.,  with  Vice-President 
Buchan  in  chair. 

Credential  committee  reported  the  following  delegates 
with  proper  credentials : Solomon  Chambers,  John  Patterson, 
Frank  Donaldson,  Joseph  Donald,  Edward  Thomas,  John  J. 
Mullen,  John  Ward,  Thomas  West,  Thomas  Sheehan,  Wm.  J. 
Russell,  Robert  Kind,  Paul  Trimmer,  Adam  Fox,  John  Sykes, 
Peter  Deighon,  Thomas  Pullen,  John  Callahan,  Jas.  Watchorn, 
Joseph  Glancey,  John  Hill,  H.  L.  Jones,  James  Elliott,  John 
Kramer,  D.  J.  Connelly,  Hugh  McLinden,  Thomas  Butter- 
worth,  John  McGinty,  Wm.  H.  Miller,  Hugh  McBride,  James 
McFarland,  Henry  Walker,  Richard  Brady,  John  Morgan, 


Pittsburg  Adjourned  Convention 


729 


George  Wilson,  Tim  Donovan,  and  Wm.  Grant  and  Wm.  Feick 
without  seals  on  their  credentials. 

Signed  by  committpe : Jas.  Elliott, 

Wm.  Feick, 

Henry  Walker. 

Motion,  that  the  report  of  the  credential  committee  be 
received. 

Carried. 

Motion  that  we  now  hear  the  report  of  the  Executive 
Board  on  the  facts  and  figures  presented  by  thick  vein  opera- 
tors to  substantiate  the  contention  that  the  differential  should 
be  reduced;  and 

That  we  now  go  into  executive  session. 

Carried. 

The  report  of  the  Executive  Board  was  read  as  follows : 

Whereas,  We,  the  Executive  Board  of  District  No.  5,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  having  agreed  in  joint  session  with 
the  operators  to  work  along  certain  lines  in  considering  the 
question  of  differential  between  thick  and  thin  vein  of  this 
district,  and  according  to  instructions  from  previous  conven- 
tions of  our  constituents,  after  carefully  going  over  the  data 
submitted  to  us,  do  hereby  resolve : 

That  the  facts  and  figures  submitted  by  thin  vein  operators 
are  not  in  compliance  with  the  resolution  jointly  agreed  to  on 
May  18,  1899,  and  that  they  have  not  proven  that  the  conten- 
tion is  justifiable  that  the  differential  should  be  reduced. 

Resolved,  further.  That  while  the  data  submitted  by  the 
thin  vein  operators  does  not  prove  that  the  differential  should 
be  altered,  and  that  said  operators  have  wilfully  or  otherwise 
failed  to  furnish  us  with  any  valuable  information  in  the 
matter,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  present  differential  is 
unfair  and  should  be  reduced. 

Therefore,  We  recommend  that  the  miners  of  both  thin 
and  thick  vein,  by  strengthening  their  organization,  place 
themselves  in  position  to  enforce  any  change  in  the  differential 
that  in  their  judgment  will  be  necessary  to  protect  their 
interest. 

Motion,  that  the  report  be  accepted  as  read  and  that  we 
take  action  on  same. 

Carried  unanimously. 

Resolution  committee  was  appointed  as  follows:  John  Pat- 


730 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


terson,  Thomas  Sheehan,  James  Watchorn,  Thomas  West,  and 
John  Sykes. 

Motion,  that  resolution  committee  retire  and  go  to  work, 
and  that  we  adjourn. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Wm.  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

July  21,  1899. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  10:30  a.  m.,  with  President 
Dolan  in  the  chair. 

Motion,  that  we  now  hear  the  report  of  resolution  com- 
mittee. 

Carried. 

Delegate  Little  wished  to  be  recorded  as  voting  against  the 
motion. 

Secretary  Sheehan,  of  resolution  committee,  read  out  the 
following  report: 

First — Resolved,  That  we  concur  in  the  Executive  Board’s 
report. 

Committee  concurs  unanimously. 

Second — Resolved,  That  seeing  the  demoralized  condition 
of  the  district,  that  the  differential  question  be  left  to  our 
next  interstate  convention,  and  that  they  do  all  in  their  power 
to  wipe  it  out  entirely  or  make  it  6 6-10. 

Majority  of  committee  concurs.  Sykes  non-concurs. 

Third — Whereas,  We,  the  miners  of  the  Pittsburg  District, 
know  that  the  differential  is  too  great,  and  is  detrimental  to 
the  interests  of  all  miners ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  it  be  reduced  to  6 6-10  cents  per  ton. 

Majority  of  committee  non-concurs.  Sykes  concurs. 

Fourth — Resolved,  That  the  dead-work  scale  be  hung  up 
at  every  pit  mouth  in  the  district,  and  that  the  miners  live  up 
to  the  same,  and,  if  the  operators  refuse  to  do  so,  that  the 
miners  quit  work  till  the  company  complies  with  it. 

Committee  concurs  unanimously. 

A motion  to  adopt  the  majority  report  of  the  committee 
was  carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  with  President 
Dolan  in  the  chair. 


Pittsburg  Adjourned  Convention 


731 


The  members  of  the  Executive  Board  gave  a verbal  report 
and  explanation  on  the  report  they  had  made  to  this  conven- 
tion on  the  differential  proceedings! 

Delegates  Sykes,  Thomas,  McLinden,  Walker,  Little,  Don- 
nelly and  Kramer  wished  to  be  recorded  as  against  the  motion. 

Carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 

July  22,  1899. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  10  a.  m.,  with  President  Dolan 
in  the  chair. 

Sixth  resolution: — Resolved,  That  this  convention  recom- 
mend that  John  Hepner  be  sent  into  this  district  as  an  or- 
ganizer to  get  the  district  in  shape  for  its  next  demand. 

(Signed)  John  Patterson,  Thomas  West. 

Adopted  as  read. 

The  Secretary-Treasurer  read  the  list  of  local  unions  that 
had  paid  the  levies  put  oh  at  previous  conventions,  so  that 
those  who  had  not  paid  the  same  would  know  of  their  delin- 
quency, also  a list  of  local  unions  that  had  sent  in  their  dona- 
tions to  be  used  in  the  O’Neill  injunction  case  at  Fayette  City, 
Pennsylvania. 

It  was  agreed  by  the  delegates  that  the  minutes  of  this 
convention  had  to  be  printed  and  sent  out. 

Motion  that  we  adjourn  sine  die. 

Carried  unanimously. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Wm.  Dodds,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

Windber,  Pa.,  July  21,  1899. 

Whether  through  instinct,  intuition  or  a morbid  desire  to 
visit  this  noted  field  again,  deponent  sayeth  not,  but  for  some 
reason  Secretary  Gilbert  and  I land  once  more  in  this  famous 
resort  for  refugees  of  all  trades,  seeking  a remote  corner 
where  the  cares  of  unionism  are  unknown  and  where  the  wily 
captives  of  manhood  are  allowed  to  hold  full  sway.  Windber 
as  a coal-producing  center,  perhaps,  outranks  any  other  point 
belonging  to  the  Berwind-White  Coal  Company.  Its  facilities 
for  the  disposition  of  the  mule  in  animal  form  are  remarkable, 
to  say  the  least.  Its  electrifying  methods  of  manipulating 
power  can  not  be  questioned  with  any  degree  of  success,  and 
that  it  is  growing  in  population  of  that  class  of  men  (color 
excepted)  that  gave  Abraham  Lincoln  so  much  trouble  and 


732 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


cost  the  country  so  many  lives  in  former  years  no  one  can 
deny.  But  coal  miners  are  not  the  only  willing  victims  here. 
Carpenters,  bricklayers,  stone  masons,  plasterers,  and  a host 
of  other  serfs  are  also  numbered  with  the  throng,  and  so  far 
as  the  scale  of  wages  are  concerned  of  their  various  trades 
are  even  worse.  It  is  a consolation,  however,  to  know  that 
trades  unionism  means  a solidarity  of  eiforts  to  remove  these 
obstacles,  and  with  concerted  action  on  the  part  of  all  and  the 
manifest  desire  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  not  to  permit 
one  coal  company  to  take  undue  advantage  of  another  without 
a vigorous  protest,  the  scene  will  soon  be  changed  or  the 
reason  why  made  clear  to  the  parties  directly  interested.  Be- 
fore leaving  Winber  we  managed  to  force  our  timid  form  upon 
a few  miners  and  read  to  them  a portion  of  the  following 
circular : 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  DISTRICT  No.  2. 

“It  is  hereby  understood  and  agreed  by  and  between  the 
officers  representing  the  Central  Pennsylvania  mining  district, 
being  designated  as  District  No.  2,  and  the  operators  of  the 
Beech  Creek  region,  that  in  consideration  of  the  said  opera- 
tors paying  on  the  1st  of  August,  1899,  and  thereafter,  five- 
ninths  (5-9)  for  loading  after  machines  of  the  present  pick- 
mining price,  that  is,  fifty  (50)  cents  per  gross  ton  for  pick- 
mining and  twenty-seven  and  one-half  (271/2)  cents  per  gross 
ton  for  loading  after  machines. 

“This  basis  of  prices,  it  is  hereby  agreed  on  the  part  of  the 
officers  of  the  said  Central  Pennsylvania  Mining  District  No.  2, 
shall  continue  for  one  year  from  the  1st  day  of  August,  1899, 
and  be  binding  upon  the  miners  and  operators  of  the  Beech 
Creek  region  when  signed  by  the  operators  and  ratified  by  the 
several  bank  committees  located  at  each  of  the  mines  involved 
in  this  agreement,  and  no  operator  shall  be  bound  to  pay  this 
price  unless  this  agreement'  is  accepted  and  ratified  by  the 
bank  committees  at  each  mine. 

“It  being  further  understood  that  if  all  the  machine  opera- 
tors in  said  region  do  not  consent  to  this  agreement  by  the 
1st  of  August,  1899,  as  to  the  remainder  of  the  machine  op- 
erators who  continue  and  carry  out  the  terms  implied  herein, 
this  contract  shall  in  that  event  not  extend  longer  than  April 


Just  a Woman  of  Witt,  District  12 


733 


1,  1900,  but  if  signed  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  August  next, 
then  to  continue  one  year  as  stated  above. 

“William  B,  Wilson. 

'“Bernard  Rice. 

“Richard  Gilbert. 

“The  Bloomington  Mining  Co., 

by  Rembrant  Peale,  Genl.  Mgr. 

“Somerville  & Buchanan. 

“Pardee  Collieries,  per  W.  C.  L. 

“Patton  Coal  Co.,  per  Jas.  Kerr,  President. 

“Duncan  & Spangler. 

“Clearfield,  Pa.,  July  3,  1899.” 

JUST  A WOMAN  OF  WITT. 

Witt,  Illinois,  August  1,  1899. 

I wish  to  write  a letter  of  encouragement  to  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America.  Brothers,  stand  firm  and  true. 
We  once  were  in  bondage.  What  I mean  by  bondage  is  that 
we  were  compelled  to  buy  our  bread  and  butter  at  the  com- 
pany store.  If  you  didn’t  you  had  to  get  away  from  here. 
Well,. brothers,  the  chains  of  bondage  are  breaking;  the  shack- 
les have  rusted;  a good  structure  cannot  be  torn  down  so 
completely  that  it  can  not  he  rebuilt.  Look  at  Hillsboro,  Illi- 
nois. They  were  out  of  line  there  for  over  a year,  and  they 
saw  that  the  union  was  the  foundation  of  mankind.  They  are 
in  line  now,  and  working  every  day.  But  here  we  are  at  Witt. 
We  have  been  out  since  April  1st.  It’s  very  little  encourage- 
ment we  get,  but  I guess  we  don’t  need  any.  There  are  only 
a few  of  us,  but  we  are  all  here.  I don’t  know  what  will  be 
the  outcome.  They  have  got  their  boilers  in  and  engine  in 
hoisting  order,  and  as  soon  as  the  engine  room  is  completed 
and  the  coal  switch  laid,  I don’t  see  what  is  to  hinder  them 
from  paying  the  scale.  I remain  respectfully  yours, 

Mannie  Campbell. 


MONTGOMERY,  W.  VA.,  CONVENTION. 

On  August  8,  1899,  a convention  was  held  at  Montgomery, 
West  Virginia,  of  organized  and  unorganized  miners.  Thirty- 
seven  mines  were  represented  with  a delegation  of  nearly 
fifty  miners  from  the  Kanawha  and  New  River  coal  fields. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  Joseph  M.  Smith, 
president  of  District  No.’  17,  with  Vice-President  P.  J.  Brogan 
and  Secretary  S.  C.  Harless  in  their  respective  positions. 


734 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


National  organizers  Thomas  Farry,  George  Scott  and  Chris 
Evans  attended  the  meeting  and  Henry  Stephenson  was  pres- 
ent as  a member  of  the  National  Executive  Board. 

Resolutions  were  introduced,  discussed  and  adopted  asking 
for  an  advance  of  five  cents  per  ton  on  the  then  mining  rates 
being  paid;  condemning  the  brutal  assault  and  abuse  by 
Superintendent  John  Laing  and  his  confederates  that  inflicted 
bodily  injury  on  organizer  Scott;  extending  thanks  to  the 
national  officers  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  for 
their  aid  and  support ; and  an  urgent  demand  to  secure  equal 
prices  for  mining  coal,  as  were  being  paid  in  other  competitive 
fields. 

The  delegates  were  advised  to  call  meetings  on  returning 
home  and  present  the  just  claims  agreed  upon  to  the  operators 
of  the  respective  mines  located  in  the  New  River  and  Kanawha 
districts.  J.  M.  Smith,  President. 

S.  C.  Harless,  Secretary. 

IOWA  ANNUAL  CONVENTION,  AUGUST  15,  1899. 

Meeting  called  to  order  with  Acting  President  John  F. 
Ream  in  the  chair. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed : Credentials — 
M.  F.  Maher,  Wm.  Tippett,  R.  Good ; Rules  and  Order  of  Busi- 
ness— H.  G.  Street,  Thos.  Adamson,  John  White;  Resolutions 
— J.  J.  Byrnes,  A.  D.  Burke,  Frank  Woodward;  Press — Henrj^ 
Lafferty,  James  Kellett,  Edwin  Perry. 

Meeting  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Re-convened  at  1 p.  m.  by  President  Ream,  with  J.  Bar- 
rows  secretary  pro  tern. 

It  being  the  opinion  of  the  chair  that  an  assistant  secre- 
tary was  needed,  G.  A.  Davis  was  elected  to  the  place. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials  and  the  report 
of  the  committee  on  rules  and  order  of  business  were  accepted 
as  read. 

An  auditing  committee  was  elected  as  follows:  James 

White,  Hugh  Reid,  John  Braniff. 


Iowa  Annual  Convention,  1899 


735 


Report  of  secretary  and  treasurer  was  read,  approved  and 
turned  over  to  auditing  committee  for  investigation. 

President  Ream  gave  report  of  fiis  work  in  the  state,  and 
J.  P.  Reese  gave  a report  of  his  work  in  southern  field,  also 
in  Iowa. 

A committee  of  five  members  was  appointed  on  the  consti- 
tutional committee  as  follows:  William  James,  James  Fisher, 
Elmer  Myers,  William  Cowan,  Joe  Sharp. 

John  Mitchell,  National  President,  arrived  and  was  intro- 
duced to  convention  and  greeted  with  great  applause. 

Several  amendments  to  the  constitution  were  made  and 
substitutes  considered  during  the  morning  session  until  the 
convention  adjourned. 

MORNING  SESSION,  AUGUST  16,  1899. 

After  the  opening  of  the  meeting  the  rules  were  suspended 
and  the  national  president  addressed  the  convention.  At  the 
close  of  his  address  the  president  was  given  a hearty  vote  of 
thanks  by  all  delegates  present. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  as  follows: 

Resolved,  By  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in 
convention  assembled.  That  we  deem  the  check-off  system 
sound  and  feasible  and  respectfully  urge  our  state  officers  to 
take  aggressive  action  to  secure  this  system  for  those  camps 
that  do  not  have  the  advantage  of  having  their  dues  checked 
off. 

Whereas,  We  have  learned  that  the  Grocers’  Association 
of  Iowa  is  making  strenuous  efforts  to  have  a law  enacted 
which  will  leave  all  earnings  of  working  men  above  $8.00  per 
month  liable  to  garnishee  and  execution ; and  whereas  we  be- 
lieve that  such  a law*  would  work  great  hardship  and  entail 
suffering  upon  the  working  class : 

Therefore,  be  it  resolved.  That  we,  the  miners  of  District 
No.  13,  in  convention  assembled,  do  protest  against  such  legis- 
lation, and  that  we  ask  the  legislative  committee  of  the  Ameri- 
can Federation  of  Labor  to  use  their  influence  to  prevent  such 
a law  becoming  a statute. 

Whereas,  It  has  been  the  custom  to  compel  miners  before 
starting  to  work  to  sign  contracts  waiving  their  rights  guaran- 
teed by  the  gross  weight  bill,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  by  the  miners  of  the  Thirteenth  District,  in  con- 
vention assembled.  That  they  will  sign  no  contract  in  the 


736 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


future  which  will  require  the  waiving  of  any  right  guaranteed 
by  law. 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  convention  that, 
whereas,  there  has  been  an  injustice  practiced  upon  the  col- 
ored miners  of  this  state  by  being  refused  work  in  some  of  the 
mining  camps  of  said  state,  we  do  hereby  condemn  the  above 
practice  and  extend  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  all  union  colored 
miners  of  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  that  the  same  privilege  in 
regard  to  obtaining  work  be  accorded  all  creeds,  colors  and 
nationalities  alike. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America  of  the  State  of  Iowa  unanimously  indorse  the  name 
of  J.  P.  Reese  of  Albia,  Iowa,  our  past  State  Vice-President, 
as  candidate  at  the  next  national  convention  at  Indianapolis 
in  January,  1900,  for  National  Vice-President. 

Whereas,  Many  of  the  members  of  District  No.  13,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  have  not  had  a very  good  chance 
to  subscribe  for  the  Mine  Workers  Journal,  and,  whereas,  we 
believe  our  Journal  should  be  read  by  all  our  miners;  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  when  the  delegates  return  to  their  homes 
they  shall  have  their  locals  elect  a Journal  agent  and  send  his 
name  to  President  Mitchell,  who  will  give  him  a commission, 
and  we  pledge  ourselves  to  do  all  in  our  power  to  have  all  our 
members  read  our  official  organ. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  the  sense  of  this  convention  that  a bill 
should  be  drawn  up  and  brought  before  our  next  legislature 
providing  for  better  ventilation  of  all  the  mines,  the  same  to 
also  provide  that  the  escape  shaft  shall  not  be  more  than  880 
yards  from  the  face  of  workings. 

Resolved,  That  District  No.  13,  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  affiliate  with  the  State  Federation  of  Labor  of  the 
State  of  Iowa,  and  the  incoming  officers  be  instructed  to  do  so 
as  soon  as  possible. 

Moved,  That  the  officers  present  to  Des  Moines  operators 
or  other  operators  in  the  state  the  scale  of  prices. 

That  we  extend  our  sympathy  to  our  brothers  in  the  South- 
west in  their  gallant  fight  against  political  bosses  and  corpo- 
rate greed  to  maintain  the  dignity  of  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers of  America. 

Adopted. 

Legislation  was  recommended  on  house  rent:  Examina- 
tions to  be  held  for  superintendents,  mine  foremen,  and  hoist- 


Iowa  Annual  Convention,  1899 


737 


ing  engineers:  on  operators  giving  due  notice  to  miners  be- 
fore reducing  wages  where  no  scale  exists. 

On  motion,  the  preamble  of  the  constitution  was  adopted, 
and  the  convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 p.  m.,  with  Vice-President 
Reese  in  the  chair. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  the  Frazier  delegate  go  at  once 
to  Frazier  and  take  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ($150.00) 
or  send  same ; to  prevent  a break  in  our  ranks  at  that  place. 

Carried. 

Reading  of  the  constitution  was  continued  and  after  sev- 
eral amendments  were  rnade  the  constitution  as  amended  was 
adopted. 

REPORT  OF  AUDITING  COMMITTEE. 

Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  August  16,  1899. 

Greeting: — We,  your  Auditing  Committee,  have  carefully 
examined  the  books  of  our  Secretary-Treasurer  and  have 
found  them  in  every  instance  correct,  and  submit  the  follow- 
ing statements  for  your  approval : 

Received  for  per  capita  tax,  $2,465.78;  Drafts  from  na- 
tional office,  $150.00 ; Balance  from  last  term,  $53.80 ; Total, 
$2,669.58. 

Total  expenditures,  $1,724.61 ; balance  in  treasury,  $944.97. 

President’s  financial  account  was  examined  and  found 
correct  and  we  submit  the  same  for  your  approval : 

•Total  amount  received,  $399.70;  total  amount  expended, 
$399.39 ; leaving  a balance  in  hand  of  President  of  31  cents. 

James  White, 

John  Braniff, 

Hugh  Reid, 

Auditing  Committee. 

Relief  Fund — Total  amount  received  for  relief,  $1,638.56; 
Expenditures,  $1,546.00;  Balance  in  treasury,  $92.56. 

Recapitulation — Receipts  from  all  sources,  $4,307.93 ; Ex- 
penditures, $3,270.61;  Balance  in  treasury,  $1,037.32. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

James  White,  Chairman, 
John  Braniff,  Secretary, 
Hugh  Reid. 


738 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Moved  to  accept  the  Auditing  Committee’s  report  and  place 
on  file. 

Carried. 

Moved  that  the  President  and  Secretary  have  constitution 
printed,  and  that  the  Secretary  forward  a copy  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  this  convention  to  each  delegate  at  his  local,  each  local 
to  have  one  copy  also. 

Carried. 

Nominations  in  order  for  place  of  holding  next  annual 
convention. 

Des  Moines,  Ottumwa,  Oskaloosa,  Albia,  Centerville, 
Boone,  Knoxville. 

Des  Moines  receiving  the  largest  number  of  votes  was  de- 
clared to  be  the  meeting  place  for  our  next  annual  convention. 
It  was  afterward  declared  a unanimous  choice. 

Time  for  adjournment  having  arrived,  rules  were  sus- 
pended and  decided  to  continue  in  session  until  6 o’clock. 

Officers  elected — President,  John  F.  Ream;  Vice-President, 
Joseph  Sharp;  Secretary-Treasurer,  John  White;  Board  Mem- 
ber, District  No.  1,  David  Sexton;  District  No.  2,  Edwin 
Perry;  District  No.  3,  L.  P.  Joyce;  District  No.  4,  Thomas 
Adamson;  Auditors,  H.  G.  Street  and  John  Barrows. 

It  was  moved  that  all  officers  be  declared  elected  unani- 
mously. 

Carried. 

All  the  officers  were  then  installed  by  National  President 
John  Mitchell. 

A vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  to  the  outgoing  officers. 

Moved  and  seconded  that  we  donate  one  dollar  to  janitor 
for  cleaning  of  the  room. 

Carried. 

It  was  moved  that  the  members  of  this  convention  extend 
their  sympathy  to  Brother  Brennan  in  his  sickness ; and  that 
we  adjourn  sine  die. 

Motion  carried.  John  F.  Ream,  President. 

John  Barrows,  Secy.  Pro  Tern. 

Geo.  a.  Davis,  Asst.  Secretarj\ 


D.  H.  Sullivan  and  the  Screen  Law 


739 


D.  H.  SULLIVAN. 

On  August  19,  1899,  the  miners  of  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
held  a mass  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  remove  some 
of  the  grievances  connected  with  coal  mining  in  that  county, 
among  which  were  the  company  store  system  and  the  coal 
screens  in  use. 

In  his  explanation  of  several  other  evil  practices,  vice- 
president  Sullivan  said: 

President  Haskins,  T.  L.  Lewis  and  myself  have  all  made 
arrangements  to  test  the  screen  law.  Attorneys  Daniel  J. 
Ryan  of  Columbus,  and  William  T.  Lewis  have  been  employed 
to  represent  the  interests  of  our  miners.  An  effort  will  be 
made  to  have  the  case  tried  in  the  Supreme  Court  without 
recourse  to  the  lower  courts.  This  can  only  be  done  by  mutual 
agreement  between  the  miners’  officials  and  operators. 

The  time  of  Vice-President  Sullivan  seems  to  have  been 
fully  occupied  in  trying  to  adjust  the  numerous  complaints 
made  by  the  miners  throughout  the  state,  asking  his  aid  at 
times  when  the  danger  line  had  been  forced  upon  them. 

Speaking  of  the  company  store  is  a reminder  of  the  system 
practiced  in  the  anthracite  coal  field  of  Pennsylvania  in  the 
year  1899,  when  the  following  schedule  was  published  showing 
the  difference  in  the  price  of  provisions  sold  to  the  miners  in 
the  Scranton  region. 

The  following  are  the  prices  charged  in  the  pluck-me  at 
Marshwood  and  cash  stores  at  Scranton : 

Pluck -Me  Prices  Cash  Store  Prices 


Flour,  per  barrel 

$7.00 

$4.20 

Ham,  per  pound 

_ __  .19 

.12 

Bacon,  per  pound 

.19 

.12 

Tobacco,  per  pound 

.50 

.34 

Sugar,  12  pounds 

1.00 

1.00- 

Squibs,  per  box 

_ .30 

.10 

And  other  things  in  proportion. 


The  above  is  a fair  sample  of  what  the  company  store 
means  at  the  coal  mines,  a system  more  frequently  called 
“pluck-me’s,”  when  the  necessities  of  life  are  purchased 
through  the  compulsory  means  employed  by  coal  mining  com- 
panies the  country  over. 


W.  C.  SCOTT,  NATIONAL  ORGANIZER,  1897-1898. 
EDITOR  JOURNAL,  1899-1900. 


Resignation  of  Vice-President  Davis 


741 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  RESPECT. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  August  21,  1899. 

Whereas,  Brother  Thomas  W.  Davis  has  resigned  his  office 
as  National  Vice-President  of  our  organization  to  enter  new 
fields  of  labor ; and 

Whereas,  During  his  connection  with  our  organization  he 
has  been  a most  faithful  and  efficient  worker  and  because  of 
his  earnest  efforts,  so  ably  prosecuted,  he  has  been  instru- 
mental, to  a great  extent,  in  consummating  agreements  that 
will  be  of  lasting  benefit  to  us  as  a craft  and  to  our  families ; 
therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  the  severance  of  his  official  connection 
with  our  organization  we  appreciate  the  loss  of  a most  valua- 
ble counsellor,  honest  and  tireless  worker,  a loyal  and  genial 
friend ; and  while  we  regret  that  he  has  gone  from  among  us 
we  take  pleasure  in  recommending  him  as  a man  who  pos- 
sesses both  honor  and  ability  and  express  our  belief  that  these 
virtues  so  firmly  rooted  in  his  nature  by  years  of  practice  will 
guide  his  actions  in  any  and  under  all  circumstances  in  future 
life  and  that  we  earnestly  wish  for  him  the  portion  of  life’s 
sunshine  that  his  ability  and  honor  so  fully  merits ; further 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  printed  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers  Journal  and  that  a copy  be  engrossed  and  pre- 
sented to  Brother  Davis. 

By  order  of  the  Executive  Board. 

John  Mitchell,  President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

W.  C.  Scott,  Editor  Journal. 

TO  MINERS  AND  MINE  LABORERS. 

August,  1899. 

Discipline  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  permanent  suc- 
cess of  any  undertaking.  How  much  of  this  element  have  we 
in  our  organization?  , 

What  are  you  doing  to  strengthen  the  organization?  If 
nothing,  why?  This  applies  to  you. 

At  the  end  of  a week  have  you  ever  taken  time  to  consider 
how  much  you  have  done  to  advance  the  trades  union  move- 
ment during  the  week  ? 

How  often  do  you  depend  on  the  other  fellow  if  you  do  not 
get  all  you  expect? 

The  local  union  meeting  place  is  the  industrial  school  room. 
Neglect  it  and  the  bulwark  (Intelligence)  of  the  organization 
will  vanish. 

The  union  label  is  a guarantee  that  the  article  bearing  it 
was  made  by  those  who  believe  the  laboring  people  have  rights 


742 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


that  should  and  must  be  respected.  Do  you  encourage  them 
in  that  belief  by  purchasing  none  other  than  union  labeled 
goods?  T.  L,  Lewis. 


A SQUIB  FROM  REESE. 

August,  1899. 

I wish  to  announce  that  I will  not  be  a candidate  for  any 
office  in  District  No.  13,  at  the  coming  convention  on  August 
15,  1899,  and  thank  the  boys  very  much  for  the  support  they 
offer  me.  Brother  Ream  is  the  right  man  in  the  right  place, 
and  should  be  re-elected.  Brother  Grant  Street  of  Mystic,  is 
a candidate  for  secretary-treasurer,  and  in  my  judgment 
would  make  a good  man  for  the  place. 

The  present  strike  in  the  Southwest  makes  it  necessary 
for  me  to  remain  where  I am.  The  Big  Four  will  soon  be  in  a 
bottle  and  I wish  to  be  there  and  help  put  in  the  cork.  The 
Big  Four  is  showing  their  weakness  every  day. 

I remain  truly  yours,  JOHN  P.  Reese. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  AT  WITT,  ILLINOIS 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  23rd  day  of 
August,  1899,  between  the  Montgomery  Coal  Company  and 
the  United  Mine  Workers,  witnesseth: 

The  Montgomery  Coal  Company  hereby  agrees  to  recognize 
the  United  Mine  Workers  and  agrees  to  pay  the  scale  as  pro- 
vided for  in  the  several  agreements  made  for  the  year  ending 
March  31,  1900,  and  covering  the  district  where  the  mine  of 
the  first  party  is  located. 

Also  for  outside  labor  as  follows : 

Dumpers,  $1.75;  dumpers’  helpers,  $1.50;  firemen,  $1.75; 
blacksmiths,  $2.00;  blacksmiths’  helpers,  $1.75;  head  car  trim- 
mer, $1.75 ; head  car  trimmers’  helper,  $1.50 ; yard  men,  $1.50 ; 
all  other  unskilled  labor,  $1.50. 

The  following  to  be  paid  for  narrow  work : 

Widtli,  feet  Price,  per  yard 

6 $1.6834 

s 1.5334 

10  1.38 

12  1.23 

All  entries  over  12  feet  and  up  to  18  feet,  inclusive,  shall 
decrease  at  the  rate  of  7%  cents  per  foot. 

That  no  miner  or  other  person  shall  shoot  any  coal  by  the 
day  and  all  miners  shall  shoot  and  load  their  own  coal. 

That  all  cross-cuts  shall  be  paid  the  same  yardage  as  entry 
work,  and  there  shall  be  a track  put  in  cross-cuts  when  de- 


Joint  Agreement  at  Witt,  Illinois 


743 


sired  by  the  person  doing  the  same.  That  a miner  shall  re- 
ceive 25  cents  for  every  cross-bar  he  puts  up. 

That  all  dead  work  shall  be  paid, for  per  hour  as  provided 
in  the  Pittsburg  agreement. 

That  the  price  of  powder  shall  be  $1.75  per  keg  and  45 
cents  per  gallon  for  oil. 

The  company  agrees  to  pay  their  employes  semi-monthly, 
viz : The  first  and  fifteenth  of  each  month,  and  when  pay  day 
falls  on  Sunday  the  employes  will  be  paid  the  preceding  Satur- 
day or  the  following  Monday,  the  company  to  hold  only  fifteen 
days’  pay  back  at  any  time. 

The  company  will  take  back  in  its  employ  all  the  men  who 
were  in  the  employ  on  the  31st  of  March,  1899. 

And  it  is  agreed  that  the  company  shall  be  allowed  to  take 
back  into  its  employ  all  day  men  on  top  who  were  in  its  em- 
ploy on  March  31st,  provided  said  day  men  will  consent  to 
join  the  local  union  and-  the  said  Miners’ .Union  agrees  to 
admit  said  employes  on  proper  application. 

Any  miner  or  other  employe  absenting  himself  from  his 
regular  employment  for  two  days  in  succession  without  suffi- 
cient cause  shall  be  liable  to  discharge. 

The  miners  shall  load  their  coal  free  from  rock,  sulphur 
and  other  foreign  matter  as  far  as  possible.  Three  successive 
violations  of  this  rule  will  render  the  party  liable  to  discharge. 

The  work  in  the  mine  shall  be  done  according  to  the  direc- 
tions given  by  the  pit  boss  and  under  his  immediate  supervi- 
sion and  control. 

The  pit  committee  shall  be  composed  of  men  actually  em- 
ployed in  the  mine. 

The  Montgomery  Coal  Co., 

Per  G.  W.  Parsley,  Supt. 

John  M.  Hunter,  State  President, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

W.  R.  Russell,  Vice-President. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary. 

LABOR  DAY  NOTES. 

‘ September  14,  1899. 

The  day  was  generally  observed. 

Cambridge,  Ohio,  held  their  Labor  Day  exercises  on  Satur- 
day in  order  to  attend  Zanesville  on  Monday,  and  report  the 
greatest  celebration  in  her  history. 

President  Mitchell  repo.rts  a wonderful  crowd  at  Nelson- 
ville,  Ohio,  where  he  and  Board  Member  Fairley  orated  on 
Labor  Day. 


744 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Mecca,  Indiana,  simply  stormed  the  fort  and  captured  all 
within,  then  marched  to  Hixon’s  Grove  and,  after  a feast  of 
chicken  and  other  delicacies,  passed  the  day  in  speechmaking, 
dancing,  racing  and  general  sports. 

Reports  indicate  that  the  ice  of  indifference  was  somewhat 
loosened  by  the  burning  eloquence  of  the  speakers  at  various 
points  in  West  Virginia  and  that  much  good  will  result  from 
Labor  Day,  1899. 

The  Buckeye  State  was  not  behind  in  her  demonstration. 
Meetings  were  held  in  nearly  all  the  mining  centers,  with  a 
larger  attendance  than  ever  before. 

Secretary  Pearce  reports  quite  a successful  demonstration 
at  Saginaw,  the  heart  of  the  Michigan  mining  field.  The  cele- 
bration was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Central  Labor 
Union,  with  which  the  Saginaw  miners  are  affiliated. 

Our  correspondent,  Louis  Goaziou,  reports  that  the  day  was 
not  properly  observed  in  the  Pittsburg  District  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Grand  celebrations  were  held  in  the  mining  districts  of 
Missouri  and  Kansas,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  in  the 
anthracite  districts  of  Pennsylvania,  while  the  Central  district 
of  the  above  State  also  “jined.” 

Illinois  maintained  her  established  enviable  reputation  for 
trades  union  activity  by  having  an  appropriate  celebration  in 
almost  every  town  and  hamlet  within  the  State.  Thousands 
were  in  attendance  and  their  enthusiastic  shouts  echoed  and 
re-echoed  throughout  the  shady  parks  within  her  borders. 

The  editor  of  this  paper  spent  Labor  Day  in  Alabama  and 
is  pleased  to  report  that  the  miners  of  that  district  are  enjoy- 
ing better  times  than  ever  before  in  their  history  as  a district. 
Great  activity  in  the  iron  industry  is  manifest  upon  all  hands 
and  a regular  boom  is  being  experienced  in  Pratt  City,  Ensley 
and  other  suburbs  of  Birmingham.  We  addressed  the  Pratt 
miners  in  the  morning  and  were  followed  by  State  Senator 
Cunningham  of  Alabama,  who  delivered  one  of  the  most 
thoughtful  and  eloquent  speeches  it  has  ever  been  our  pleasure 
to  listen  to. 

President  John  Mitchell  attended  the  Virden  anniversary, 
October  12,  1899,  in  commemoration  of  the  event  in  which 


National  Auditors’  Report,  1899 


745 


seven  union  miners  at  Virden,  Illinois,  were  killed  fighting 
for  freedom  on  that  blood-stained  battlefield,  October  12,  1898. 

I 

NATIONAL  AUDITORS’  REPORT. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  October  23,  1899. 

Third  quarterly  report  of  Auditing  Committee  from  July 
1 to  September  30,  1899  : 

We,  your  auditors,  after  a careful  investigation  of  the 
books  of  Secretary-Treasurer  W.  C.  Pearce,  respectfully  sub- 
mit the  following  report : 

Receipts — Balance  on  hand  June  30,  1899,  $26,539.37 ; by 
tax  three  months,  $18,332.69 ; by  supplies,  $2,199.02 ; by  Jour- 
nal, $1,434.98 ; by  miscellaneous,  $109.97 ; total  receipts, 
$48,616.03. 

Expenditures — To  officers’  salaries  and  expenses,  $11,471.- 
28;  to  supplies,  $2,606.30;  to  office  expenses,  rent,  etc., 
$294.58;  to  telegrams,  postage  and  express  charges,  $783.82; 
to  miscellaneous  and  donations  to  districts,  $2,035.73 ; total 
expenses,  $17,191.71. 

Total  receipts,  $48,616,03 ; total  expenses,  $17,191.71 ; 
Balance  on  hand  October  1,  1899,  $31,424.32. 

We  also  wish  to  state  for  the  benefit  of  the  members  of 
our  organization  that  we,  your  auditors,  have  carefully  exam- 
ined the  ledger  with  the  day  book  and  find  that  the  locals 
have  received  credit  for  all  moneys  sent  to  our  National  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer, and  that  the  books  have  been  systematically 
and  accurately  kept ; we  also  desire  on  behalf  of  the  organiza- 
tion, to  thank  Brother  Pearce  and  his  able  assistants  for  their 
efficient  work  in  the  office.  We  also  take  great  pleasure  in 
stating  to  the  members  of  our  organization  that  in  the  last 
three  months  there  have  been  136  new  locals  organized,  mak- 
ing a grand  total  for  the  year  of  308  new  locals,  and  that  the 
organization  has  made  great  progress.  We  can  now  say  with 
pride  that  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  is  the  largest 
labor  organization  in  the  United  States,  numbering  almost 
85,000.  We  attribute  this  in  a great  measure  to  the  never- 
tiring  efforts,  the  earnestness  and  ability  of  our  National 
President  John  Mitchell.  We  also  wish  to  give  credit  to  the 
National  Board  and  organizers  for  the  zeal  and  courage  which 
they  have  displayed  in  carrying  the  banner  of  our  organization 
and  planting  it  in  fields  heretofore  unknown,  and  we  further 
predict  that  if  the  same  aggressive  policy'  be  continued  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year  we  shall  be  able  to  secure  a better  portion 
of  the  wealth  we  produce,  which  is  due  us,  because  of  the 
marked  improvements  in  business  and  trade. 

Samuel  Pascoe,  John  J.  Mossop,  Auditors. 


746 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Indianapolis,  Indiana,  October  23,  1899. 

To  Whom  It  May  Concern: 

This  is  to  certify  that  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 
• had  on  deposit  to  their  credit  in  this  bank  on  October  1,  1899, 
the  sum  of  thirty-one  thousand,  four  hundred  and  twenty-four 
dollars  and  thirty-two  cents  ($31,424.32). 

Capital  National  Bank, 

By  M.  B.  Wilson,  President. 

NELSONVILLE  RESOLUTIONS. 

Nelsonville,  Ohio,  November  28,  1899. 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed  by  Local  Union  No. 
421: 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  this  Local  by  investigation,  have 
found  that  the  miners  of  Brush  Fork  Branch  and  vicinity  are 
grossly  violating  the  agreement;  and 

Whereas,  We  are  made  a victim  of  circumstances  and  have 
conceded  to  our  operator  the  same  conditions. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Local  that  the  words 
“eight  hours  shall  constitute  a days’  work”  refers  to  all  mine 
workers,  whether  they  be  machine  men,  or  loaders,  or  day 
hands. 

Resolved,  That  we  appeal  to  our  State  and  Sub-district 
Officers  to  enforce  the  eight-hour  workday  in  this,  the  great 
Hocking  Coal  Field,  as  we  do  not  believe  it  is  possible,  as  or- 
ganized miners,  to  break  the  joint  agreement  and  be  union 
men  at  the  same  time.  Wm.  Riddell,  Secretary. 


CONVENTION  PROCEEDINGS,  DISTRICT  No.  2. 

Clearfield,  Pa.,  November  29,  1899. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  10:40  a.  m.,  with  President 
Wilson  in  the  chair,  who  proceeded  at  once  to  appoint  the  fol- 
lowing committees:  Committee  on  Credentials — Currie,  M. 
Yra,  Williams,  Purcell;  Defense  Fund — Wilson,  Long,  Cleves, 
McTaggart,  McKinney;  Resolutions — Dawson,  Williams,  Gil- 
day,  Crawford,  Garland ; Auditing  Committee  for  Strike  Fund 
— Williams,  Prescott,  Eckelberger. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Credentials  was  then  received, 
committee  stating  that  upon  examination  of  credentials  they 
found  that  all  present  were  entitled  to  a seat  and  voice  in  the 
convention. 


District  2 Convention,  November,  1899 


747 


A motion  was  made  and  carried  that  the  report  of  Com- 
mittee on  Credentials  be  received  and  committee  retained. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  wp  adjourn  until  afternoon 
to  give  the  committees  time  to  report. 

Convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Wilson  at  1.25  p.m. 

Committee  on  Credentials  again  reported,  stating  that 
delegates  had  arrived  since  their  previous  report  was  made 
and  that  they  had  examined  the  credentials  and  found  them 
entitled  to  voice  and  seat  in  convention. 

Report  of  Committee  accepted. 

The  Committee  on  Defense  Fund  presented  the  following: 
We,  your  Committee  on  Defense  Fund,  beg  leave  to  submit  to 
the  convention  that  we  favor  a defense  fund;  but  we  further 
think  that  the  question  of  a defense  fund  should  be  left  over 
to  our  national  convention,  knowing  that  it  has  been  agitated 
throughout  the  states  where  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America  organization  is  in  power. 

The  resolution  was  adopted  as  read. 

The  Auditing  Committee  reported  that  they  had  examined 
books  and  receipts  of  strike  fund  and  found  them  correct  in 
every  detail. 

Report  accepted. 

A recess  was  taken. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions  being  ready  to  report,  the 
convention  was  called  to  order  and  the  following  resolutions 
presented : 

Whereas,  It  has  been  alleged  that  some  operators  who 
signed  the  agreement  on  July  3,  1899,  have  failed  to  abide  by 
the  agreement  entered  into^  and 

Whereas,  No  pick  operators  and  very  few  machine  opera- 
tors have  signed  any  agreement,  and 

Whereas,  We  are  under  no  obligation  to  continue  working 
at  present  rates  for  such  operators  as  failed  to  sign  our  agree- 
ment. or  having  signed  the  agreement  have  failed  to  live  up 
to  it,  now  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  an  advance  in  wages  of  10  cents 
per  ton  for  pick  mining  and  121/2  cents  per  ton  for  machine 
loading,  and  20  per  cent  for  all  labor,  to  take  effect  January 


748 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


1,  1900,  and  to  the  end  that  the  whole  question  may  be  prop-^ 
erly  discussed  by  all  parties  interested  and  no  operator  who 
has  lived  up  to  the  agreement  may  be  unjustly  injured,  we 
hereby  call  a joint  convention  of  operators  and  miners  of  the 
entire  district  to  meet  in  Clearfield,  Tuesday,  December  12, 
1899,  at  11  a.  m.,  to  consider  the  whole  question. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  the  resolution  be  accepted. 

Also  that  we  demand  the  whole  of  central  Pennsylvania 
to  restrict  their  labor  to  eight  hours  per  day. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  we  adjourn  to  meet  Thurs- 
day morning. 

Convention  adjourned. 

NOVEMBER  30,  1899. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Wilson  at  9 a.  m. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions  was  again  called  upon  to 
report. 

Be  it  resolved.  That  we  recommend  more  organizers  be  put 
into  the  field  for  the  purpose  of  getting  men  into  line ; that  the 
initiation  for  the  organization  shall  be  not  less  than  $1,  one- 
half  to  go  to  strikers  and  the  other  half  to  go  toward  organi- 
zation purposes ; also  that  a levy  of  25  cents  each  pay  be  col- 
lected from  all  miners,  organized  and  unorganized,  to  go  into 
effect  immediately. 

Be  it  resolved.  That  we  discountenance  the  loading  of  Erie 
cars. 

That  we  will  use  all  our  energies  to  support  the  Tioga  men 
in  their  struggle. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  the  resolutions  be  adopted 
as  read. 

The  convention  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :20  p.  m.  by  President 
Wilson. 

Committee  on  Resolutions  was  called  on  to  proceed  with 
its  report. 

Resolutions  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  all  local  unions  to  join  the 
sub-district  or  the  check-weigh  association. 


Indian  Territory  Convention 


749 


That  our  sub-district  officers  visit  the  mines  where  they 
are  loading  by  the  car  and  try  and  persuade  them  to  quit 
the  same.  ' , 

That  all  officers  and  members  have  full  privilege  to  dis- 
cuss political  questions,  provided  that  officers  under  pay  do 
not  in  any  manner  neglect  their  duties  to  the  organization. 

That  we  call  the  attention  of  the  national  convention  to 
the  question  of  abolishing  the  company  store. 

That  the  convention  tender  a vote  of  thanks  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  Clearfield  county  for  the  use  of  the  arbitration 
room  for  our  convention,  and  that  a collection  be  taken  up  for 
the  janitor,  to  compensate  him  for  the  extra  work  incurred 
during  our  session. 

That  the  next  convention  shall  be  called  for  organized  and 
unorganized  miners  and  they  shall  pay  at  least  one  month’s 
per  capita  for  representation. 

That  as  soon  as  Brother  Harris  shall  present  an  itemized 
account  of  the  money  due  him  from  the  district  to  the  secre- 
tary-treasurer that  the  bill  shall  be  paid  when  district  is  in 
condition  to  do  so. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

(Signed)  Richard  Gilbert, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  District  No.  2. 


INDIAN  TERRITORY  PROCEEDINGS. 

Hartshorne,  I.  T.,  December  9,  1899. 
Meeting  called  to  order  at  11  a.  m.  by  John  Mordue,  tem- 
porary president;  J.  H.  Morgan,  temporary  secretary. 

Committeemen  entitled  to  seats:  John  McConville,  Wni. 
Watzke,  John  Harris,  Chas.  Blair,  Clarence  Eddy,  Alderson; 
S.  J.  Johnson,  T.  W.  Johnson,  Harry  Skaws,  Henry  Terrell, 
John  Mordue,  Carbon;  P.  E.  Baldwin,  J.  H.  Morgan,  Tom 
Combs,  E.  E.  Thompson,  and  H.  Caller,  Cherry  Vale;  H. 
Johnson  and  T.  J.  Williams,  Dow  ; Lewis  Savio,  Geo.  Jackson, 
Aleck  Nooney,  Frank  Savio  and  I.  E.  Crowder,  Hartshorne. 

First  order  of  business  to  elect  a president  and  secretary. 
John  Mordue  was  elected  president;  Frank  Savio,  secretary. 

Motion  made  that  the  committee  from  Local  Unions  Nos. 
466,  490,  498,  form  a sub-;district  convention. 

Carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 


750 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Mordue  at  1.30  • 

p.  m. 

Order  of  business.  Every  delegate  be  allowed  to  vote  and 
said  vote  to  be  by  ballot. 

Motion  to  adopt  carried. 

S.  J.  Johnson  was  elected  a delegate  to  the  national  con- 
vention to  represent  Sub-district  No.  2. 

Moved  that  we  instruct  the  delegate  to  vote  for  a national' 
defense  fund  and  to  advocate  it  at  convention;  also  bring  be- 
fore the  delegates  at  said  convention  the  condition  of  affairs 
in  this  district. 

That  the  delegates  instruct  their  locals  to  draw  up  instruc- 
tions for  the  delegate  and  forward  said  instructions  to  the 
secretary. 

That  the  secretary  send  the  proceedings  of  this  convention 
to  be  published  in  The  United  Mine  Workers  Journal. 

That  we  indorse  the  national  and  district  officers’  action 
and  tender  them  our  sincere  thanks. 

Moved  that  we  condemn  the  action  of  Judge  Williams  in 
the  John  P.  Reese  case  as  being  unconstitutional  and  unjust. 
Also  condemn  Judges  Rogers  and  Clayton  for  the  action  they 
have  taken  against  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  and 
the  present  system  of  a judge  trial. 

Moved  that  the  convention  adjourn. 

Frank  Savio,  Secretary. 

ANTHRACITE  WAGE  AGREEMENT, 
DECEMBER  11,  1899. 

Schedule  of  prices  and  wages  agreed  upon  by  the  manager 
and  superintendent  of  the  Susquehanna  Coal  Company  and 
committee  of  employees. 

Coal  and  Coal  Measurements. 

Section  1.  Size  of  car  (same  as  before)  with  six  inches 
of  topping  at  the  breaker  making  a total  of  ninety  cubic  feet 
of  coal  to  the  Nanticoke  car  and  ninety-six  cubic  feet  to  the 
Glen  Lyon  car.  Price  of  car  $1.20  and  $1.02.  Check  Docking 
Boss  be  allowed  and  to  be  paid  by  the  workmen.  A gauge  to 
be  erected  to  determine  the  height  of  car.  The  Check  Docking 


Anthracite  Wage  Agreement,  1899 


751 


Boss  shall  have  the  power  to  shop  all  cars  that  are  out  of  shape 
and  also  agreed  that  the  company  will  put  a cross-bar  on  the 
cars,  if  they  after  investigation  with  a committee  of  employees, 
deem  it  advisable.  500  pounds  rock  or  slate  to  be  allowed  in 
car  without  the  miner  being  stopped,  and  miner  to  be  stopped 
one  day  for  each  100  pounds  over  the  500. 

Plugs. 

Sec.  2.  Agreed  to  pay  ten  cents  a car  extra  after  a plug 
is  driven  thirty  feet  and  whenever  the  company  can  to  their 
and  miners  advantage  they  will  put  in  a road,  and  where  the 
conditions  are  such  that  it  is  impossible  to  make  a day’s  wages 
the  company  is  willing  to  make  a fair  allowance  for  the  same. 

Gangways. 

Sec.  3.  Twelve  to  fourteen  feet  wide,  $2.54  per  yard ; over 
fourteen  to  eighteen  feet,  $1.97  per  yard;  breasts  under 
twenty-four  feet  but  over  eighteen,  $1.00  per  yard. 

Cross  Headings. 

Sec.  4.  Cross  headings  shall  be  driven  between  chute 
breasts.  Cross  headings,  $1.97  per  yard. 

Rock  Measurements. 

Section  1.  Top  and  bottom  rock  in  Red  Ash  ten  cents  per 
lineal  yard  for  every  inch  in  thickness  (sand  rock  excepted), 
all  other  veins  seven  and  one-half  cents  per  lineal  yard  for 
every  inch  in  thickness  (sand  rock  excepted). 

Sec.  2.  Boney  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  judgment 
of  the  bosses. 

Rock  Cleaning  and  Unloading. 

■ Section  1.  Cleaning  gob,  thirty-five  cents  per  lineal  yard, 
where  extra  heavy  will  be  paid  accordingly;  if  not  satisfac- 
tory the  company  will  clean  it. 

Sec.  2.  Unloading  rock,  twenty-five  cents  per  car,  and  if 
not  satisfactory  to  the  miner,  company  hands  will  unload  it. 

Sec.  3.  Where  directed  to  load  rock  in  cars  miner  to  be 
paid  twenty-five  cents  for  each  and  every  car. 

Timber  Props  and  Chutes 

Section  1.  Propping  and  lagging  and  extra  propping, 
forty-four  cents  per  prop. 

Sec.  2.  Gangway  timbers,  $2.54  per  set;  branch  timber, 
where  collar  is  fourteen  feet  long,  $5.08 ; breast  timber,  $1.81 
per  set;  branch  timber  in  breast  fourteen  feet  long,  $3.62  per 
set;  fiats,  $1.32.  Cogging  to  be  judged  as  to  its  value. 


752 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Sec.  3.  Platforms  to  be  built  by  company  hands,  chutes 
twenty-five  cents  per  length  of  sheet  iron. 

Miscellaneous 

Section.  1.  Laying  roads  outside  of  miners’  place,  twenty- 
five  cents  per  yard.  Where  company  can  get  tracklayers  to 
lay  road  they  will  do  so. 

Sec.  2.  The  miner  will  keep  his  road  in  repair  from  the 
last  plug  in. 

Sec.  3.  Company  to  contract  with  miner  for  cleaning 
caves  or  pay  a day’s  wages  for  the  same. 

Sec.  4.  Not  more  than  one  miner  shall  be  compelled  to 
work  in  the  same  place  on  the  same  shift. 

Sec.  5.  Bailing  water  to  be  done  by  company  hands. 

Sec.  6.  That  work  heretofore  known  as  consideration 
work  be  paid  by  contract  or  day’s  wages.  Fractional  part  of 
all  measurements  to  be  paid  for. 

Approved, 

SUSQUEHANNA  COAL  COMPANY, 

Per  John  H.  Tonkin,  Superintendent. 

Approved, 

Henry  M.  Williams, 

John  Price, 

Cornelius  J.  Gallagher, 

T.  D.  Nichols, 

Frank  Miller, 

Michael  Wyzzernig, 

Approved, 

Morris  Williams, 

Manager. 

SUSQUEHANNA  COAL  COMPANY 

Scale  of  wages  adopted  December  11,  1899: 


Fire  Boss  $2.47  and  .$2.liG 

Driver  Boss  1.02 

Company  Miner  2.23 

Company  jMiner’s  Laborer 1.70 

Track  Layer  2.23 

Track  Layer’s  Helper 1.75 

Sliaft  Repairman  2.23 

Shaft  Repairman’s  Helper 1.70 

Timberman  , 2.23 

Timberraan’s  Helper  1.70 

Carpenter  or  Doormaker 2.00 

Carpenter  or  Doormaker ’s  Helper 1.70 

Brattice  man  2.00 


Anthracite  Wage  Agreement,  1899 


753 


Bratticeman’s  Helper  1.54 

Head  runner  1.75 

Runner  + 1.60 

Runner  and  Driver 1.54 

Head  Footman  of  Shaft  (Oil  Clothes) 1.80 

Head  Footman  of  Shaft,  Helper 1.70 

Headman,  Inside  Shaft 1.75 

Headman’s  Helper,  Inside  Shaft 1.70 

Head  Footman  of  Slope 1.70 

Head  Footman  of  Slope,  Helper 1.65 

Headman  of  Slope 1.70 

Plane  Runner  1.70 

Footman  of  Plane 1.60 

Bellman  1.25 

Single  Mule  Driver 1.25 

Single  Mule  Driver  at  foot  of  shaft 1.50 

Two  Mule  Driver 1.45 

Three  Mule  Driver 1.65 

Door  Boy  .80 

Mason  1.75 

Mason’s  Helper  : 1.60 

Road  and  Slope  Cleaners 1.60 

Couplers  and  Rat  Catchers 1.00 

Pump  Runner  1.54  and  $1.80 

Stableman  1.54 

Stableman’s  Helper  1.45 

Pipeman  1.75 

Walter  Bailer  1.54  and  $1.60 

Unloading  Rock  1.45  and  $1.54 

Slate  Pickers  .50  and  up. 

Shaft  Headman  (Outside) 1.60 

Fireman  1.70 

All  the  above  are  supposed  to  be  first-class  men  and  boys. 
Aged  and  disabled  men  for  attending  doors  will  be  paid  from 
$1.00  to  $1.10  per  day.  Inexperienced,  aged  and  disabled  men 
for  cleaning  roads,  gob  and  such  other  common  work,  such  as 
they  can  do,  to  be  paid  according  to  their  worth,  from  $1.25 
to  $1.50  per  day. 

ALABAMA 

Birmingham,  Ala.,  December  11,  1899. 

Second  annual  convention  of  District  20,  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  called  to  order  at  10  a.  m.,  with  Presi- 
dent George  W.  Young  in  the  chair  and  executive  board  pres- 
ent. After  a short  address  by  President  Young  and  National 
Board  Member  Fairley,  a committee  on  credentials  was  ap- 
pointed, and  convention  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m. 

The  committee  on  credentials  reported  the  following  dele- 
gates entitled  to  seats:  Wm.  Clark,  J.  K.  Smith,  Jake  Lillick, 


754 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Geo.  Cuffner,  Jas.  Lannahan,  John  Lemont,  Thos.  S.  Dickey, 
John  Bla;ck,  J.  S.  Thompson,  D.  H.  Wilson,  P.  R.  Murray,  N.  S. 
Pringle,  G.  T.  Johns,  J.  R.  Kinnamer,  Thos.  B.  Slusser,  A.  H. 
Gentry,  G.  B.  Reynolds,  Frank  Hillman,  F.  A.  Slack,  R.  B. 
Carroll,  Joe  Hallier,  S.  E.  Banks,  C.  S.  Smith,  A.  Ellis,  S.  S. 
Holmes,  R.  Crayton,  W.  B.  Montgomery,  I.  P.  Hill,  F.  W. 
Lennon,  Frank  Cogler,  W.  R.  Thomas,  S.  D.  Richards,  J.  G. 
Brown,  S.  B.  Harris,  Thos.  English,  M.  L.  Turner,  Wm.  Gibbs, 
Alf.  Parks,  Brother  Hicks,  George  Basbey,  Frank  Steele,  D. 
C.  Barnes,  D.  M.  Watts,  J.  D.  Rivers,  R.  V.  Locke,  Chas. 
Fletcher,  W.  T.  Weaver,  J.  S.  Ogwin,  Frank  Fournier,  R. 
Hooper,  Ed.  Flinn,  Wm.  Bynom,  Geo.  Barbour,  C.  W.  Cain, 
S.  L.  Brooks,  Geo.  Smitherman,  Sandy  Williams,  R.  D.  Os- 
well,  J.  C.  Fowler,  H.  V.  Hines. 

John  Lemont,  Chairman. 

R.  Hooper,  Secretary. 

J.  R.  Kinnamer, 

J.  K.  Smith, 

P.  R.  Murray, 

Committee. 

The  report  of  the  credential  committee  was  received. 
Committee  on  constitution  and  by-laws  and  committee  on 
resolutions  were  then  appointed. 

Motion  that  the  election  of  officers  be  the  next  order  of 
business.  Carried. 

Convention  adjourned. 


SECOND  DAY — TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  12. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  9 :15  a.  m.,  with  W.  R.  Fair- 
ley  in  the  chair. 

Geo.  W.  Young  was  declared  elected  President;  Vice- 
President,  S.  L.  Brooks;  Secretary-Treasurer,  J.  L.  Clemo. 

On  motion  convention  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  W.  R.  Fairley  in 
the  chair. 

For  executive  board : W.  J.  Kirkpatrick,  J.  R.  Kinnamer, 
P.  R.  Murray,  Geo.  Smitherman,  Geo.  Barbour,  Alex  Broods. 

Convention  adjourned. 


Alabama  Convention,  December,  1899 


755 


THIRD  DAY — WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  13. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  9';25  a.  m.,  W.  R.  Fairley  in 
the  chair. 

For  auditors:  F.  L.  Slack,  A.  Blakely. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  W.  R.  Fairley  in 
the  chair. 

After  the  officers  had  been  elected  a number  of  resolu- 
tions were  adopted  and  amendments  made  to  the  constitution. 

It  was  decided  to  add  two  members  to  the  executive  board. 
Action  was  also  taken  condemning  the  action  of  the  court  for 
the  incarceration  of  John  P.  Reese;  advising  President  Mit- 
chell to  extend  the  time  of  Board  Member  Fairley  in  District 
No.  20;  and  the  convention  offered  a vigorous  protest  against 
any  member  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  continu- 
ing dual  membership  in  the  Knights  of  Labor. 

It  was  resolved  to  use  every  effort  to  establish  the  eight- 
hour  workday  and  assist  all  small  local  unions  in  their  efforts 
to  be  represented  at  the  coming  national  convention.  A 
resolution  was  adopted  indorsing  the  national  administration 
for  its  support  during  the  year  1899.  The  total  receipts  for 
the  year  were  given  as  $4,488.46;  expenses,  $3,304.92;  bal- 
ance in  treasury  December  9,  1899,  $1,183.54. 

The  convention  adpourned  sine  die. 

George  W.  Young,  President. 

J.  L.  Clemo,  Secretary-Treasurer. 


GEORGE’S  CREEK  AND  MYERSDALE  CONVENTION 

The  convention  called  by  John  Mitchell,  National  Presi- 
dent; Wm.  B.  Wilson,  President  of  District  No.  2;  and  Wm. 
Warner,  organizer,  met  at  Moran’s  Opera  House,  Lonaconing, 
Maryland,  at  11  o’clock,  Tuesday  morning,  December  12th, 
with  twenty-three  delegates  present  representing  the  orga- 
nized miners  in  the  George’s  Creek  and  Myersdale  coal  re- 
gions. 

Mr.  George  Harris  of  Pennsylvania,  was  among  the  visitors 
and  attended  the  convention. 


756 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


FIRST  DAY’S  PROCEEDINGS. 

At  11  o’clock  Tuesday  morning,  Organizer  Wm.  Warner 
called  the  delegates  to  order.  Mr.  Russell  B.  Stewart  of  Lon- 
aconing,  was  elected  temporary  chairman,  and  Mr.  Wm.  M. 
Cochrane  of  Salisbury,  was  made  temporary  secretary.  The 
committee  on  credentials  reported,  and  the  convention  ad- 
journed. 

On  re-assembling,  the  question  under  discussion  was  the 
advisability  of  the  combination  of  the  Myersdale  and  George’s 
Creek  regions.  The  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials 
was  adopted,  and  the  following  delegates  declared  entitled  to 
seats  in  the  convention : From  Maryland — Russell  B.  Stew- 

art, Wm.  Cuthbertson,  Daniel  Young,  Robert  Simpson,  Thos. 
E.  Williams,  W.  H.  Price,  W.  L.  Davis,  J.  R.  Close,  Howard 
Saylor,  John  McGee,  F.  J.  Drum,  F.  H.  Leake,  Andrew  Mc- 
Mannus,  James  M.  Conrad,  James  Hamilton,  Wm.  M.  Coch- 
rane, Thomas  Brehany,  Thomas  Barnhill,  Wm.  Sigler,  C.  0. 
Miller,  and  Patrick  Cunningham;  from  Pennsylvania — J.  B. 
Garber,  George  May. 

SECOND  day’s  PROCEEDINGS. 

The  delegates  were  called  to  order  at  8:30  a.  m.  on  Wed- 
nesday, but  adjourned  to  permit  the  committees  on  constitu- 
tion and  resolutions  time  to  prepare  their  reports.  The 
committees  were  as  follows:  Constitution — Daniel  Young, 
Robert  Simpson  and  James  Hamilton;  Resolutions — W.  H. 
Price,  W.  L.  Davis,  George  May,  C.  0.  Miller  and  Thomas  S. 
Williams. 

After  the  selection  of  these  committees  the  convention  ad- 
journed to  meet  at  1 :30  p.  m.,  and  announced  that  at  that  time 
the  press  would  be  admitted  to  note  the  proceedings.  Up  to 
this  time  the  sessions  were  behind  closed  doors. 

At  1 :30  o’clock  on  Wednesday  afternoon  the  convention 
was  called  to  order  by  the  chairman.  The  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  constitution  was  read,  and  the  constitution  adopted. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  resolutions  was  also  read 
and  adopted  as  follows : 

We,  as  a committee  on  resolutions,  beg  leave  to  submit  the 
following  for  your  consideration : 


Myeksdale  and  Maryland  Convention  757 


Whereas,  We,  the  miners  of  George’s  Creek  and  the  Myers- 
dale  regions  in  convention  assembled,  having  consolidated  for 
the  purpose  of  protecting  and  promoting  our  best  interests 
and  also  having  become  part  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of 
America,  also  affiliated  with  the  American  Federation  of 
Labor, 

We  believe  that  the  time  has  arrived  when  a conservative 
but  aggressive  step  should  be  taken  to  ameliorate  the  general 
condition  of  the  whole  district,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  First,  That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  mining 
laws  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  give  us  the  right  of  plac- 
ing checkweighman  at  all  the  scales,  we  would  recommend 
that  as  soon  as  practicable  the  various  local  unions  throughout 
the  district  select  a competent  man  from  said  local  to  see 
that  the  products  of  our  labor  be  honestly  weighed ; 

That  we  call  the  attention  of  our  employers  to  the  fact  that 
there  is  a discrimination  as  to  the  distribution  of  cars  in  the 
mine.  Believing  that  every  miner  has  equal  rights  with  his 
fellows,  we  would  earnestly  request  the  officials  of  the  com- 
panies that  this  injustice  be  rectified; 

That  the  restriction  of  the  hours  of  labor  is  forcing  itself 
upon  all  branches  of  industry,  and  that  we,  the  miners  of  this 
district,  heartily  endorse  the  Chicago  agreement  and  that  we 
will  put  forth  our  best  efforts  to  establish  the  eight-hour  sys- 
tem as  soon  as  we  find  ourselves  in  a position  to  do  so ; 

That  the  revival  of  industry  which  we  have  witnessed  the 
past  year  is  one  for  congratulation  and  it  should  be  our  pur- 
pose to  endeavor  to  prolong  this  era  of  more  general  employ- 
ment and  industrial  activity,  but  regret  that  the  miners  of 
this  district  have  received  no  benefits  therefrom.  Believing 
market  conditions  will  warrant  an  increase  in  mining  rates 
of  ten  cents  and  all  other  labor  in  proportion ; 

That  we  recommend  that  our  district  officers  have  these 
resolutions  printed  in  circular  form  and  that  a copy  be  sent 
to  every  operator  in  the  district,  requesting  them  to  meet  in 
joint  convention  with  the  miners  at  Cumberland,  on  Thursday, 
December  28,  1899,  to  discuss  the  question  of  increase  in  min- 
ing rates,  -and  if  possible  to  establish  a more  mutual  and 
friendly  relationship  between  employer  and  employees; 

That  we  learn  with  regret  that  a number  of  our  craft  em- 
ployed by  the  George’s  Creek  Coal  & Iron  Company  at  Lona- 
coning  have  been  notified  to  seek  employment  elsewhere  after 
January  1,  1900.  Should  the  above  named  company  claim  a 
scarcity  of  orders  or  that  other  reasons  justify  their  action, 
that  we  earnestly  request  that  those  men  be  retained  and  we 
are  in  favor  of  dividing  our  work  with  them; 


758 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


That  we  give  Brother  Warner  a vote  of  thanks  for  the 
consistent  efforts  he  has  put  forth  for  organizing  this  district, 
and  the  success  he  has  achieved  and  we  also  endorse  our  Na- 
tional President,  John  Mitchell  and  his  administration  for 
their  valuable  assistance  through  Brother  Warner  in  building 
up  our  organization. 

That  we,  in  convention  assembled,  condemn  the  action  of 
the  federal  court  in  the  arrest  of  J.  P.  Reese  and  conviction 
without  trial  by  jury,  and  that  we  sympathize  with  J.  P.  Reese, 
member  of  the  National  Board,  in  his  incarceration  in  the 
prison  at  Fort  Scott,  Kan.,  and  we  give  him  our  entire  sympa- 
thy and  that  a copy  of  this  resolution  be  printed  in  the  United 
Mine  Workers  Journal  and  a copy  be  mailed  to  him. 

Whereas,  As  mines  have  been  opened  of  late  known  as  the 
thin  or  small  veins,  where  so  much  labor  is  required;  there- 
fore be  it 

Resolved,  That  delegates  to  our  joint  conference  to  be  held, 
come  instructed  to  fix  a scale  of  prices  so  that  they  may  be 
placed  on  a proportionate  basis. 

Whereas,  Lonaconing  Local  Union  No.  148  has  afforded 
such  courteous  treatment  in  arranging  the  grand  entertain- 
ment and  banquet ; therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  express  our  appreciation  by  a standing 
vote. 

We  as  a committee  concur  in  these  resolutions  as  a whole. 

Respectfully  yours, 

W.  H.  Price,  Chairman, 

W.  L.  Davis, 

George  May, 

C.  0.  Miller, 

Thos.  S.  Williams, 

Committee. 

Convention  adjourned  at  5:30  p.  m.  to  meet  at  7 :30  p.  m. 

At  the  evening  session  reports  were  heard  from  the  rep- 
resentatives as  to  the  conditions  existing  at  the  respective 
mines  in  which  they  are  employed. 

On  motion  a committee  was  appointed  to  amend  the  above 
resolutions  to  include  any  grievances  which  the  men  of  the 
Myersdale  region  may  desire  to  report  Thursday  morning. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  to  meet  Thursday  morning. 

THURSDAY’S  PROCEEDINGS. 

Delegate  Wm.  M.  Cochrane  made  a short  address  on  the 
question  of  machine  mining,  telling  of  the  dangers  connected 
with  the  work,  and  stating  that  it  was  underpaid. 


Myersdale  and  Maryland  Convention 


759 


The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  some  additions  to 
the  first  resolutions  of  Wednesday,  and  they  were  adopted  and 
are  now  a part  of  that  document.  ' 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a circular  requesting 
the  joint  conference  between  the  miners  and  operators,  re- 
ported as  follows: 

Lonaconing,  Md.,  Decemiber  14,  1899. 
To  the  presidents  of  the  various  coal  companies  of  George’s 
Creek,  Maryland,  and  the  Myersdale  Region  of  Pennsyl- 
vania : 

Whereas,  We,,  the  representatives  of  the  miners  of  George’s 
Creek,  Maryland,  and  the  Myersdale  regions  in  convention 
assembled,  have  unanimously  agreed  upon  the  following: 

That  the  revival  of  industry  which  we  witnessed  this  past 
year  is  pne  for  congratulation,  and  it  should  be  our  purpose 
to  endeavor  to  prolong  this  era  of  more  general  employment 
and  industrial  activity,  and  believing  that  we,  as  miners, 
should  share  in  this  general  prosperity  and  ameliorate  the  ex- 
isting grievances,  we,  therefore,  respectfully  desire  that  you 
meet  with  us  in  joint  conference  at  Cumberland,  Thursday, 
December  28,  1899,  to  consider  the  following  questions : 

First — An  advance  in  the  price  of  mining  and  other  labor. 
Second — An  equal  distribution  of  tonnage  mined  per  man. 
Third — The  laws  granting  us  the  privilege  of  checkweigh- 
men.  We  respectfully  desire  to  place  checkweighmen  at  every 
scale.  We  take  it  for  granted  that  you  realize  that  we  have 
pursued  a most  conservative  policy  since  the  issuance  of  your 
last  circular.  Believing  in  the  justice  and  fairness  of  our 
claims,  we  sincerely  hope  you  will  meet  with  us  in  joint  con- 
ference. 

(Signed.) 

P.  S. — If  the  date  December  28,  1899,  may  be  inconvenient 
for  this  joint  conference,  we  respectfully  request  that  nego- 
tiations be  made  with not  later  than  December  22, 

1899,  to  have  a more  suitable  date  definitely  fixed  as  near  as 
possible  to  December  28,  1899. 

It  was  adopted  as  read. 

Officers  were  elected  as  follows:  District  President,  Allan 
Barber;  Vice-President,  James  M.  Conrad;  Secretary-Treas- 
urer, Wm.  Cochrane;  Executive  Board  of  four  members^ — 
Andrew  McMannus,  Daniel  Young,  George  May  and  Robert 
Simpson ; Auditors,  Russell  B.  Stewart  and  J.  E.  Garber. 
Convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


PROCEEDINGS,  DISTRICT  No.  2. 

Clearfield,  Pa.,  December  12,  1899. 

Convention  came  to  order  at  11  a.  m.,  W.  B.  Wilson  pre- 
siding. 

The  following  committee  on  credentials  was  appointed: 
Currie,  Roberts,  Walters. 

Convention  adjourned  until  1 p.  m.  to  give  the  committee 
on  credentials  time  to  report. 

Committee  reported  that  all  delegates  present  were  en- 
titled to  vote  in  convention. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed  to  see  the  opera- 
tors as  to  whether  they  would  meet  the  miners  in  joint  con- 
vention in  a body,  or  whether  they  desired  that  a committee 
of  operators  should  meet  with  a committee  of  miners:  Dele- 
gates Patrick  Gilday,  John  R.  Paisley,  Bruce  Williams  and 
David  Jones. 

Motions  made  and  carried  that  all  differentials  existing 
prior  to  1894  be  enforced. 

Resolved,  That  the  loading  of  coal  by  day  hands  be  abol- 
ished and  all  men  get  a fair  share  of  cars  and  work;  that  fee 
checks  be  abolished;  that  no  miner  shall  cut,  haul  and  load 
his  own  coal;  and  we  denounce  all  men  in  general  who  do 
dirty  work. 

The  committee  appointed  to  meet  the  operators  reported 
that  it  was  the  desire  of  the  operators  to  meet  a committee  of 
the  miners’  delegates.  The  following  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, along  with  the  district  and  national  officers:  Dele- 
gates Gilday,  Lenore,  McTaggart,  Nicholson,  Garland,  Rounds- 
ley,  Mowry,  Paisley. 

At  the  meeting  of  committee  the  operators  contended  that 
a large  percentage  of  the  coal  produced  was  being  filled  for 
contracts  that  would  not  expire  until  April  1,  and  that  they 
should  be  exonerated  from  paying  a higher  rate  until  that 
time.  Also  that  they  were  not  aware  that  the  agreement  had 
not  been  lived  up  to  and  that  if  the  miners  would  give  them 

(760) 


District  2 Convention,  December,  1899 


761 


thirty  days’  time  they  would  endeavor  to  have  the  dispute  in 
the  Tioga  field  adjusted. 

Resolutions  committee  appointed':  Jones,  Garrity,  Moriari- 
ty.  Brook,  Devins,  Fisher,  Gensley. 

A recess  was  then  declared. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Wilson  at  1 :35 

p.  m. 

A general  discussion  followed. 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  an  advance  in  wages  of  10  cents 
per  ton  in  pick  mining,  12^  cents  per  ton  on  machine  loading 
and  20  per  cent  on  all  other  kinds  of  labor,  and  one-quarter 
of  machine  price  for  machine  cutting  and  scraping,  to  go  into 
effect  on  January  1,  1900. 

Resolved,  That  the  demand  shall  not  apply  to  those  opera- 
tors who  have  signed  agreements  with  us  that  do  not  expire 
until  April  1 next,  except  where  it  is  proven  that  the  spirit  as 
well  as  the  letter  of  the  agreement  has  been  broken  by  the 
operators. 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  the  district  be  instructed  to 
proceed  forthwith  to  prepare  the  district  to  put  those  demands 
into  effect. 

Resolved,  That  if  a satisfactory  settlement  is  obtained  for 
the  Tioga  miners  on  or  before  December  25,  1899,  and  a suffi- 
cient number  of  operators  signify  their  intention  of  attending 
the  national  convention  of  operators  and  miners,  to  be  held  in 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  in  January,  to  satisfy  the  officers  that 
it  is  not  a scheme  to  kill  time,  then  the  officers  of  the  district 
are  authorized  to  notify  the  miners  to  continue  working  until 
after  the  national  convention  has  determined  on  a policy  to 
pursue. 

The  committee  then  retired  to  present  resolutions  to  op- 
erators. 

A recess  was  then  declared  to  wait  until  the  committee  re- 
turned with  report. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  Mrs.  Jones  address  the  con- 
vention. 

Pending  the  return  of  the  committee  Mrs.  Jones  then  ad- 
dressed the  convention. 

Committee  then  reported  they  were  ready  to  report  the 
result  of  their  interview  with  the  operators. 

Report  was  given  as  follows:  That  the  operators  would 

do  all  they  possibly  could  to  adjust  the  difficulty  in  Tioga 


762 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


county  and  if  the  agreement  is  not  violated  they  would  en- 
deavor to  meet  the  miners  at  Indianapolis. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  we  adjourn. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  President  Wilson  at  9:05 

a.  m. 

Collection  was  then  taken  up  to  assist  Tioga  miners. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  general  mass  meetings  be 
held  on  December  27,  1899. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  all  operators  who  failed  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  signing  the  miners’ 
agreement  be  placed  in  the  same  category  as  those  operators 
who  failed  to  meet  us  in  convention. 

Convention  adjourned. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  1 :50  p.  m.  by  President 
Wilson. 

Addresses  were  then  delivered  by  Edward  McKay  and 
Mrs.  Mary  Jones.  After  addresses  had  been  delivered  con- 
vention again  went  into  a business  session. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  if  the  demand  be  granted  on 
January  1 that  one-half  of  the  advance  received  be  given 
towards  the  support  of  those  who  are  still  out  contending  for 
the  advance. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  a vote  of  thanks  be  tendered 
Mrs.  Jones  for  her  able  address  to  the  convention. 

Convention  adjourned. 

(Seal)  Richard  Gilbert,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

CHARLESTON,  W.  VA.,  CONVENTION. 

The  tenth  annual  convention  of  District  No.  17  was  held 
at  Charleston,  West  Virginia,  December  19,  1899,  with  Presi- 
dent Joseph  Smith  in  the  chair. 

The  convention  was  fairly  well  attended  with  George 
Scott,  Thomas  Farry,  Thomas  Brooks,  Henry  Stephenson, 
L.  Holestine  and  George  Pointer  among  the  delegates  present. 

The  report  of  the  president  contained  valuable  suggestions 
for  the  future  welfare  of  the  district,  not  forgetting  to  make 
reference  to  the  assault  made  upon  him  and  national  organizer 
George  Scott  by  superintendent  John  Laing  and  his  confeder- 
ates that  the  coal  companies  employed  for  that  purpose. 


Illustrated  Lecture  by  H.  W.  Smith 


763 


Resolutions  were  adopted  condemning  such  nefarious  work 
on  the  part  of  coal  operators  whose  sole  purpose  was  to  pre- 
vent organization  being  introduced  in  the  West  Virginia  coal 
field.  A number  of  other  resolutions  were  adopted  and  the 
following  officers  elected:  President,  S.  C.  Harless;  Vice-Presi- 
dent, George  Pointer;  Secretary,  George  Scott;  State  Board 
Members,  W.  F.  Larrison,  A.  J.  Lusk,  Robert  Perry,  Patrick 
Conner,  A.  J.  Branham.  Joseph  M.  Smith,  President. 

S.  C.  Harless,  Secretary. 

WORTHY  UNDERTAKING. 

Late  in  December,  1899,  H.  W.  Smith  of  Illinois,  an  old- 
time  miner  and  staunch  trades  unionist,  completed  arrange- 
ments for  a new  and  novel  feature  of  entertainment  which  he 
took  on  the  road  later. 

Brother  Smith’s  plan  of  entertainment  was  an  illustrated 
lecture  upon  the  labor  problem.  He  secured  pictures  of  all 
the  various  leaders  prominent  in  the  labor  movement,  together 
with  copies  of  the  different  labels  of  union  workers,  which 
were  shown  to  advantage  by  stereopticon  views  during  the 
course  of  his  lectures. 

Among  many  others  in  his  collection  were  the  illustrious 
faces  of  John  Siney,  first  president  of  the  Miners’  National 
Union,  organized  in  Youngstown,  0.,  1873;  Thomas  Arm- 
strong, founder  of  the  National  Labor  Tribune;  A.  C.  Cam- 
eron, founder  of  Workingmen’s  Advocate,  established  at 
Chicago  in  the  ’60’s ; W.  H.  Sylvis,  president  of  the  Iron  Mold- 
ers’  Union  in  the  ’60’s;  “Old  Dan”  McLaughlin,  George  E. 
McNeill,  Samuel  Gompers,  and  others.  He  made  special  feat- 
ures of  interest  to  the  mining  craft,  and  exhibited  views  of 
injunctions,  the  Virden  battle,  John  Kane’s  monument,  the 
National  Executive  Board,  the  Illinois  Executive  Board,  all 
organizers  and  others  prominently  connected  with  the  move- 
ment. 


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CHAPTER  XXXV. 


JOINT  WAGE  SCALE  AGREEMENTS  FROM  APRIL, 
1891,  TO  DECEMBER,  1899. 

DISTRICT  NO.  12,  SPRINGFIELD,  ILLINOIS,  APRIL  24,  1891. 

The  district  executive  board  met  the  operators  on  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  & Quincy  Railroad  and  effected  a satisfactory 
settlement  of  wages  for  day  men.  The  terms  are : 


Drillers  and  Blasters $2.50 

Powder  charges 2.25 

Loaders  2.00 


These  terms  will  apply  to  eight  hours  if  the  eight-hour  day 
becomes  universal.  Wages  of  other  day  men  remain  the  same. 

HOCKING  VALLEY  SCALE,  MAY  1,  1891. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  mining  for  the  ensuing  year 
shall  be  70  cents  per  ton  for  Hocking  Valley  and  the  relative 
prices  to  continue  in  other  parts  of  the  state  as  at  present,  said 
prices  to  be  and  remain  in  force  until  May  1,  1892. 

A motion  that  a committee  of  Hocking  Valley  miners  be 
appointed  to  wait  on  the  Hocking  Valley  operators  was 
carried. 

The  committee  was  constituted  as  follows:  D.  J.  Jones, 
Shawnee;  Joseph  Smart,  Orbiston;  D.  Barclay,  Hollister; 
Michael  Collins,  Rendville;  J.  W.  France,  Sand  Run. 

A motion  “that  if  it  is  necessary  for  the  machine  miners 
to  strike  for  their  just  rights  the  pick  miners  will  divide  up 
the  work  with  them,  or  render  financial  support  if  required,” 
was  carried. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following: 

That  we  recommend  that  this  convention  heartily  con- 
gratulates the  national  organization  of  the  United  Mine  Work- 
ers in  establishing  an  official  organ  at  their  recent  convention, 
and  we  further  recommend  that  all  delegates  present  urge 
upon  their  constituents  the  necessity  of  supporting  the  same. 

Adopted. 

(765) 


766 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  committee  who  waited  upon  the  Hocking  Valley  op- 
erators reported  the  following: 

Whereas,  The  miners  of  Ohio  have  in  convention  assembled 
proposed  to  the  Ohio  operators  to  work  for  the  year  ending 
May  1,  1892,  at  70  cents  per  ton  for  Hocking  district  and  other 
districts  in  relative  proportion  thereto,  and  that  nine  hours 
shall  constitute  a day’s  work,  with  a Saturday  half  holiday; 
therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  committee  of  Hocking  Valley  opera- 
tors, accept  the  above  proposition  for  the  Hocking  Valley. 

The  report  was  adopted. 

A motion  that  the  machine  question  be  referred  to  the 
machine  miners  for  final  adjustment  was  carried. 

The  convention  then  adjourned. 

On  July  8,  1891,  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce  of  District  No.  6, 
U.  M.  W.  of  A.,  gives  the  following  as  an  agreement  entered 
into  with  W.  P.  Rend  for  his  mine  at  Rendville,  Ohio : 

W.  P.  Rend  called  at  the  office  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
in  reference  to  the  trouble  at  the  mines  at  Rendville.  The 
following  agreement  was  entered  into : 

First — That  the  standard  weight  remain  as  at  present, 
twenty-eight  hundred  weight  (28  cwt.). 

Second — That  the  usual  custom  of  the  men  filling  the  nut 
coal  and  slack  must  be  adhered  to. 

Third — That  until  the  general  demand  for  coal  improves, 
which  is  expected  the  last  of  the  present  month,  any  or  all  of 
the  young  men  employed  at  No.  3 will  get  employment  at  the 
other  mines  in  which  Mr.  Rend  is  interested. 

Fourth — That  the  system  of  docking  in  force  in  the  other 
mines  in  the  Sunday  Creek  Valley  shall  prevail  at  No.  3. 

W.  P.  Rend. 

J.  B.  Rae. 

JOINT  SCALE  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  OPERATORS  AND  MINERS  OF 
OHIO,  ADOPTED  AT  COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  APRIL  7,  1892. 

Resolved,  by  the  representatives  of  the  Ohio  miners  and 
operators  in  convention  assembled,  that  the  price  for  mining 
screened  coal  in  the  Hocking  Valley  from  May  1,  1892,  until 
April  30,  1893,  shall  be  70  cents  per  ton  and  that  the  recog- 
nized relative  prices  heretofore  existing  shall  be  paid  in  all 


Joint  Agreements,  1887-1892 


767 


other  districts  of  the  state  for  the  period  named  for  the  Hock- 
ing Valley. 

Signed  for  Miners:  John  Fahy,  R.  L.  Davis,  Wm.  Fitz- 
gerald, Charles  Call,  Joshua  Thomas,  John  Nugent,  Cameron 
Miller,  W.  C.  Pearce. 

Signed  for  Operators : J.  S.  Morton,  H.  L.  Chapman. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  FOR  DISTRICT  NO.  11. 

Following  is  the  agreement  made  for  the  year  1892. 

This  agreement  entered  into  by  and  between  the  bitumi- 
nous operators  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  party  of  the  first  part 
and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  party  of  the  sec- 
ond part, 

Witnesseth — That  the  following  scale  of  prices  shall  govern 
the  operation  of  the  mines  of  said  first  party  for  one  year  from 
May  1,  1892. 

The  price  for  day  work  in  the  mine  for  practical  men 
shall  be  21  1-9  cents  per  hour. 

The  price  for  pick  mining  shall  be  70  cents  per  ton. 

The  price  for  mining  with  Harrison  or  Sargent  machines, 
including  cutting,  drilling,  shooting  and  loading,  together 
with  the  usual  care  of  room,  shall  be  as  heretofore  52i/^  cents 
per  ton  and  narrow  work  to  be  paid  for  as  at  present. 

The  price  for  mining  with  the  Legg  machine  shall  be  13 
cents  per  ton  in  rooms  and  15  cents  per  ton  in  entries. 

The  price  for  shooting  and  loading  after  Legg  machines, 
including  the  usual  care  of  rooms,  shall  be  31 1/2  cents  per  ton 
in  rooms  and  37  cents  per  ton  in  entries. 

Price  for  mining  and  all  settlements  therefor  shall  be 
based  on  the  weight  of  screened  coal  or  its  equivalent. 

Payments  for  coal  mined  and  labor  performed  shall  be 
made  semi-monthly  not  later  than  the  10th  and  25th  of  each 
month  for  the  earnings  of  the  preceding  half  month  respec- 
tively. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  party  of  the  first  part  shall 
offer  no  objection  to  the  “check-off”  for  checkweighman  and 
for  dues  for  the  party  of  the  second  part.  Provided,  that  no 
check-off  shall  be  made  against  any  person  until  he  shall  have 
first  given  his  consent  in  writing  to  his  employer. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names 
and  affixed  our  seals  this  21st  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1892. 

Indiana  Bituminous  Coal  Association, 

, By  J.  Smith  Talley,  Ind. 

Attest:  Wm.  E.  Eppert,  Secretary. 

M.  COMESKY,  President, 

J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary,  Dist.  11. 


768  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 

Approved  by  John  McBride,  President,  and  Patrick  Mc- 
Bryde,  Secretary,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

BLOCK  COAL  AFFAIRS. 

On  Saturday,  April  23,  1892,  a committee  of  six  miners 
were  appointed  to  meet  and  negotiate  with  the  operators.  The 
committee  met  the  operators  at  1pm.  The  delegates  were  all 
called  into  the  Brazil  Block  Coal  office  and  an  agreement 
signed  on  about  the  same  conditions  as  last  year,  namely,  75 
cents  per  ton. 

A SUMMARY  OF  HOCKING  VALLEY,  OHIO,  JOINT  AGREEMENTS 
FOR  DATES  NAMED. 

February  16,  1893. 

Break-Throughs. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  all  dry  break-throughs  between 
rooms  shall  be  50  cents  per  yard  less  than  regular  dry  entry 
price.  (Agreement  of  June  19-20,  1888.) 

The  price  for  break-throughs  between  entries  shall  be  the 
same  as  for  entry  work.  (Agreement  August  31,  1888.) 

Check-Off. 

Resolved,  The  check-off  to  be  restored  by  the  companies 
where  it  does  not  exist.  (Agreement  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Gutting  and  Drilling. 

The  price  of  cutting  and  drilling,  when  done  by  the  ton, 
shall  remain  the  same  as  they  were  at  the  time  this  arbitra- 
tion commenced  and  the  companies  shall  have  the  right  to 
employ  cutters  and  drillers  by  the  day;  but  when  the  miners 
are  required  to  do  their  own  drilling  they  shall  receive  the 
same  price  per  ton  as  is  paid  at  Rend’s  mine  at  Jacksonville, 
Ohio.  (Agreement,  January  4,  1887). 

N.  B. — Just  prior  to  the  arbitration  of  January,  1887,  the 
prices  of  cutting  and  drilling  by  the  ton  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
was : 

Cents  Per  Ton. 


With  Lechner  machines,  in  rooms .08 

With  Lechner  machines,  in  entries .11 

With  Harrison  machines,  in  rooms -12% 

Witli  Harrison  machines,  in  entries .1314 


These  rates,  and  hand  drilling  at  3 cents  per  ton,  as  in 
effect  at  Rend’s  mine  at  Jacksonville  at  date  referred  to  above 
are  still  in  force  at  this  date,  1892. 

Cla;/  Veins. 

Agreement  of  May  26,  27,  28,  1890,  reads : 

Resolved,  That  where  clay  veins  are  met  in  mines,  the 


Joint  Agreements,  1888 


769 


miner  or  miners  together  with  the  mine  boss,  shall  determine 
the  price  or  worth  of  driving  through  and  in  the  event  of  their 
failing  to  agree,  they  shall  call  in  t,he  local  committee. 

It  is  proposed  that  this  rule  be  amended  so  that  the  last 
clause  shall  read:  They  shall  refer  it  to  the  standing  com- 

mittee. 

Day  Labor. 

Scale  of  May  27,  1890,  as  printed  and  circulated : 


Track  Layers $2.25 

Drivers  2.00 

Inside  day  labor 2.00 

Dumpers  2.00 

Trimmers  2.00 

Outside  day  labor 1.75 

Trappers  .75 


Where  a miner  is  called  upon  by  the  boss  to  perform  day 
labor  he  shall  receive  not  less  than  $2.00  per  day,  and  no  cars 
be  made  up  for  time  lost  in  that  way.  It  shall  be  optional  with 
the  miner,  however,  to  accept  such  day  labor.  (Agreement, 
May  26,  27,  28,  18.90.) 

Drivers — Resolved,  that  drivers  leave  stables  at  ten  min- 
utes before  seven  o’clock  a.  m.,  and  leave  the  mines  at  five 
o’clock  p.  m.  for  a day’s  work.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Inasmuch  as  it  was  the  intent  and  meaning  of  the  above 
resolution,  so  conceded  by  both  parties  in  interest,  that  the 
drivers  leave  their  working  places  at  5 p.  m.  and  not  before, 
it  is  suggested  that  this  rule  be  amended  to  read:  and  leave 
their  working  places  at  five  o’clock  p.  m.,  for  a day’s  work. 

Temporary  stops,  etc. — Resolved,  that  day  men  be  paid  by 
the  hour,  and  that  in  case  of  temporary  stops  during  the  day, 
all  men  in  their  places  shall  be  considered  employed  and  earn- 
ing full  pay  until  notified  by  the  superintendent  or  mine  boss 
of  cessation  of  work  for  that  day ; and  in  no  case  shall  pay  be 
for  less  than  two  hours  in  the  morning’s  work.  This  does  not 
apply  to  afternoon  work,  but  where  mines  work  by  the  day, 
no  change  shall  be  made  from  the  present  system,  on  account 
of  the  extra  time  allowed  by  the  operators,  in  quarters,  halves, 
three-quarters  and  whole  days.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Assistant  Dumpers — ^When  any  dumper  has  an  assistant 
dumper,  the  assistant  shall  be  considered  as  a dumper  and  be 
paid  dumper’s  wages.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Trimmers — All  men  handling  and  cleaning  lump  coal  on 
the  railroad  cars  outside  shall  be  considered  and  paid  as  trim- 
mers. (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Dumpers,  Trimmers — When  the  mines  work  one-half  to 
three-quarters  day,  and  hiine  boss  puts  either  dumper  or  trim- 
mer to  finish  out  the  day  cleaning  up  bone  coal,  or  any  other 
work  about  hoppers,  he  shall  receive  regular  trimmer’s  or 


770 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


dumper’s  wages;  and  in  case  the  mine  is  idle,  if  said  mine 
boss  should  hire  dumpers  and  trimmers  to  clean  up  bone  coal 
or  perform  any  other  outside  work,  said  men  shall  be  paid 
regular  outside  day’s  wages ; giving  the  company  the  privilege 
to  hire  other  men  to  perform  the  above  labor  at  regular  scale 
rates.  (Agreement  of  July  27,  1892.) 

N.  B. — It  was  also  discussed  and  agreed  at  the  meeting  of 
July  27,  1892,  that  the  rule  which  applies  to  outside  day  labor 
also  apply  to  inside  labor. 

Fireman — Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  extra 
time  given  by  the  fireman  their  wages  be  $2  per  day.  (Agree- 
ment of  June  13,  1892.) 

Outside  Labor — Scale  of  May  27,  1890,  as  to  outside  labor 
at  $1.75  per  day  reaffirmed.  (Agreement  of  June  13,  1892.) 

Hours  for  a Day’s  Work — Resolved,  That  nine  hours  be  a 
day’s  work,  and  that  where  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  work 
more  than  nine  hours,  the  extra  time  shall  be  paid  for  on  the 
nine-hour  basis.  (Agreement  of  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Pumpers — Shall  receive  no  less  than  $40  per  month,  and 
such  rate  beyond  that  price  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  between 
pumpers  and  mine  boss.  (Agreement  of  May  27,  1890.) 

Entries. 

The  entries  shall  be  driven  as  fast  as  operators  desire  or 
conditions  permit,  but  in  no  case  will  entry  miners  be  allowed 
more  cars  per  week  than  room  miners,  and  at  least  once  each 
week  the  turn  shall  be  made  uniform  throughout  the  mine  for 
the  time  previously  worked.  If,  however,  the  regular  turn  will 
not  allow  cars  enough  to  drive  entries  as  fast  as  desired,  the 
operators  shall  increase  the  number  of  miners  in  each  entry 
so  that  by  giving  to  each  the  regular  turn,  the  entries  shall 
be  driven  as  rapidly  as  two  miners  could  do  with  full  work. 
If,  however,  the  room  men  decline  to  take  their  places  in  the 
entries  when  requested  to  do  so  by  the  operators,  then  the 
entry  men  shall  have  free  turns  until  such  times  as  the  entries 
are  driven  the  required  length.  (Agreement  of  Januan^  5, 
1890.) 

Double  Shift  and  Wet  Entries — Shall  be  paid  for  at  such 
additional  rates  per  yard,  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  mine 
boss  and  the  entry  men.  (Agreement  of  January  23,  1888.) 

Wet  Entries — Resolved,  That  the  price  of  driving  wet  en- 
tries be  made  by  and  between  the  mine  boss  and  the  miner 
driving  them;  that  in  case  they  fail  to  agree  on  price,  the 
matter  be  submitted  to  the  miners  and  operators  of  this  joint 
committee,  who  will  investigate  and  agree  on  price;  if  they 
fail  to  agree,  to  call  in  a third  party  mutually  agreed  upon, 
whose  decision  shall  be  final ; work  to  continue  during  the  in- 


Joint  Agreements,  1888-1893 


771 


vestigation,  and  work  to  be  paid  for  at  rate  of  dry  entry.  If 
any  additional  price  is  finally  agreed  to  it  shall  date  from  date 
of  the  commencement  of  the  inve'stigation ; this  agreement 
not  to  effect  local  agreements  now  existing  in  wet  entries. 
(Agreement  of  July  27,  1892.) 

Single  Shift  Entry — Resolved,  That  the  interpretation  of 
the  contract  shall  be  that  the  price  of  single  shift  dry  entries 
shall  be  $1.75  per  yard  from  May  1,  1888,  to  May  1,  1889 ; and 
that  thereafter  the  basis  shall  be  $1.75  per  yard  on  the  rate  of 
70  cent  mining,  and  a rise  or  decline  of  121/2  cents  per  yard 
on  every  rise  or  decline  of  5 cents  in  the  price  of  mining. 
(Agreement  of  June  19-20,  1888.) 

Double  Shift — Whereas,  the  rule  has  been  established  in 
the  Hocking  Valley  in  the  past  years  that  two  men  work  in 
each  entry,  and  that  in  addition  to  entry  coal,  break-throughs 
and  coal  from  room  necks,  a place  has  been  found  for  men 
working  face  entries;  therefore,  resolved,  that  the  term 
“double  shift”  be  applied  to  this  same  work  when  it  is  done 
in  the  night,  and  farther  resolved,  that  we  furnish  face  entry 
men  with  necks  to  load  in  when  their  entries  are  not  cut  or 
not  in  working  condition.  (Agreement  of  May  24,  1892.) 

Double  Shift  Entry,  Machine  Mines — Rate  submitted  to  ar- 
bitration, by  agreement  of  May  4,  1892. 

Grievance  Committee  and  Arbitration. 

The  committee  of  three  operators  and  three  miners,  as  per 
the  agreement  of  May  27,  1890,  being  obsolete,  never  having 
been  called  upon  to  act,  and  a standing  committee  having  been 
appointed  by  the  operators  in  May,  1892,  to  take  up  with  the 
miners’  officers  or  representatives  all  questions  of  contro- 
versy, it  is  suggested  that  the  following  take  the  place  of  the 
aforesaid  resolution  of  May  27,  1890,  viz : 

No  strike  or  lock-out  shall  take  place  until  the  matter  in 
dispute  shall  have  been  acted  upon  by  the  miners’  Ohio  officers 
and  the  operators’  standing  committee. 

Loading. 

Taking  effect  September  1,  1888 — When  the  price  of  pick 
mining  is  65  cents  per  ton  in  mines  in  the  Hocking  Valley  and 
Toledo  & Ohio  Central  district,  loading  in  rooms  shall  be, 
when  the  drilling  is  done  by  the  operator,  321/2  cents  per  ton ; 
when  loading  and  drilling  are  both  done  by  miner,  35i/^  cents 
per  ton. 

Loading  in  entries  when  drilling  is  done  by  the  operator, 
shall  be  41  cents  per  ton;- when  drilling  and  loading  are  done 
by  the  miners,  44  cents  per  ton. 

Loading  in  break-throughs  between  rooms,  6 cents  per  ton 
above  the  price  for  loading  in  rooms,  or  when  drilling  is  done 


772 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


by  the  operator,  38i/2  cents  per  ton ; when  drilling  is  done  by 
the  miner,  411/2  cents  per  ton. 

When  the  pick  mining  advances  to  70  cents  per  ton,  load- 
ing in  rooms  shall  be,  when  drilling  is  done  by  the  operator, 
35  cents  per  ton ; when  drilling  is  done  by  the  miner,  38  cents 
per  ton. 

Loading  in  entries  shall  be,  when  drilling  is  done  by  the 
operator,  431/2  cents  per  ton;  when  drilling  is  done  by  the 
miner,  46i/^  cents  per  ton.  (Agreement  of  August  31,  1888.) 


Mining. 

The  joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators  of  Ohio,  at 
Lyndon  Hall,  Columbus,  on  April  7,  1892,  fixed  the  rate  of 
mining  screened  lump  coal  in  the  Hocking  Valley,  from  May 
1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893  (the  same  as  for  the  year  closing  May 
1,  1892)  at  70  cents  per  ton;  the  recognized  relative  price 
heretofore  existing  to  be  paid  in  the  other  Ohio  districts,  viz., 
Jackson  70,  Belmont  70  and  Tuscarawas  Valley  85  cents  per 
ton. 

Narrow  Work — Resolved,  That  all  narrow  work  done  in 
turning  pick  rooms  over  eighteen  feet  be  paid  for  per  yard 
the  same  as  entry,  and  all  narrow  work  done  in  turning  ma- 
chine rooms  be  paid  machine  entry  prices;  and.  Resolved, 
That  miners  working  in  narrow  work  will  be  allowed  a free 
turn  until  they  are  eight  cars  ahead,  then  be  stopped  and  the 
turn  squared  at  the  end  of  each  week.  (Agreement  of  May 
26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Resolved,  That  machine  entry  price  be  paid  for  all  narrow 
work  with  the  exception  of  break-throughs  between  rooms; 
all  other  demands  having  been  withdrawn,  (May  14,  1891.) 


Overloading  Cars. 

The  loading  of  cars  too  heavily  often  causes  loss  to  a com- 
pany by  reason  of  breakage,  etc.,  yet  we  recognize  the  fact 
that  miners  are  not  able  to  judge  the  exact  amount  of  coal 
they  place  within  a car ; therefore,  to  protect  each  party  from 
unnecessary  loss  a limit  shall  be  fixed  by  each  operator  at 
each  mine  as  to  the  amount  cars  should  contain,  and  all  coal 
placed  in  a car  in  excess  of  this  limit  shall  go  to  the  company, 
except  where  a miner  loads  two  or  more  cars  in  any  one  day, 
some  of  which  contains  coal  in  excess  of  the  limit  agreed  upon 
and  others  with  less  than  the  limited  amount;  when  this 
occurs,  200  pounds  of  the  excess  shall  be  given  to  the  car  be- 
longing to  the  same  miner  containing  200  or  more  pounds  less 
than  the  limit  agreed  upon.  (Agreement  of  Januaiy  5,  1888; 
areaffirmed  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 


Joint  Agreements  for  1893 


773 


Rooms  and  Room-Turning. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  a general  demand  for  the  restora- 
tion of  the  thirty-foot  room,  and  .two  tracks  in  each  room 
where  practicable.  (Agreement  of  May  26,  27,  28,  1890.) 

Two  Men,  Two  Rooms — Resolved,  That  the  custom  hereto- 
fore existing,  of  giving  each  two  men  two  rooms,  be  contin- 
ued as  far  as  practicable.  (Agreement  of  May  14,  1891.) 

Rim-of-Mine  Coal. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  mining  pick-mined  run-of- 
mine  coal  shall  be  five-sevenths  (5-7)  of  the  price  of  mining 
screened  lump  coal ; it  being  understood  and  agreed  that  the 
operator  shall . have  the  option  of  either  paying  for  run-of- 
mine  coal  at  the  rate  of  5-7  of  the  price  paid  for  mining 
screened  lump  coal,  or  weighing  out  the  lump  and  settling  for 
it  at  the  then  prevailing  rate  for  mining  screened  lump  coal. 
(Agreement,  June  19-20,  1888.) 

Sharpening. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  tool  sharpening  shall  be  at  the 
rate  of  one  cent  on  the  dollar.  (Agreement,  June  19-20, 
1888.) 

CONTRACT  BETWEEN  THE  INDIANA  BITUMINOUS  COAL 
OPERATORS  AND  MINERS  FOR  1893. 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  by  and  between 
the  bituminous  coal  operators  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  party 
of  the  first  part,  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
party  of  the  second  part ; 

Witnesseth — That  the  following  scale  of  prices  shall  gov- 
ern the  operation  of  the  mines  of  said  first  party  for  one  year 
from  May  1,  1893 : 

The  price  for  day  work  in  the  mine,  for  practical  men, 
shall  be  22  2-9  cents  per  hour.  The  price  for  pick-mining 
shall  be  70  cents  per  ton,  and  yardage  and  room-turning  as 
heretofore.  Break-throughs  between  entries  shall  be  paid 
the  same  price  as  entries  of  the  same  width,  when  similarly 
driven. 

The  price  for  mining  with  Harrison  or  Sargent  machines, 
including  cutting,  drilling,  shooting  and  loading,  together 
with  the  usual  care  of  room,  shall  be  as  heretofore,  52l^  cents 
per  ton,  and  narrow  work  to  be  paid  for  as  at  present,  except 
that  the  price  for  room-turning  and  break-throughs  shall  be 
subject  to  investigation  and  settlement  by  the  committee  here- 
inafter named,  provided  settlement  is  not  made  by  employer 
and  his  employes. 

The  price  for  mining  with  a Legg  machine  shall  be  13 
cents  per  ton  for  rooms  and  15  cents  per  ton  for  entries. 


774 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  price  for  shooting  and  loading  after  Legg  machines, 
including  the  usual  cars  or  rooms,  shall  be  31i/2  cents  per  ton 
in  rooms,  and  37  cents  per  ton  in  entries. 

The  price  of  mining  and  all  settlements  therefor  shall  be 
based  on  the  weight  of  screened  coal  or  its  equivalent. 

Payments  for  coal  mined  and  labor  performed  shall  be 
made  semi-monthly,  not  later  than  the  10th  and  25th  of  each 
month  for  the  earnings  of  the  preceding  half-month  respec- 
tively. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  president  of  the  miners’ 
organization  and  the  president  of  the  operators’  association 
shall  be  a committee  of  two  with  powers  of  substitution  to 
investigate  and  settle  all  grievances  that  shall  be  referred  to 
them  not  otherwise  provided  for  in  this  contract. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  party  of  the  first  part  shall 
offer  no  objection  to  the  check-off  for  check-weighman  and  for 
dues  for  the  party  of  the  second  part ; provided,  that  no  check- 
off shall  be  made  against  any  person  until  he  shall  have  first 
given  his  consent  in  writing  to  his  employer. 

This  contract  is  entered  into  by  the  parties  hereto,  without 
reservation  and  in  good  faith. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names 
this  10th  day  of  May,  A.  D.,  1893. 

Bituminous  Operators’  Assn.,  by  J.  Smith  Talley,  Pres. 

Attest:  W.  E.  Eppert,  Secretary. 

U.  M.  W.  of  A.,  Dist.  No.  11,  by  M.  Commisky,  Pres. 

Attest : J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

Miners’  Scale  Committee — M.  Comesky,  Daniel  Llewellyn, 
Joseph  Dunkerly,  William  Van  Horn,  John  Crabb,  John 
Griffith,  Harry  Hargrave,  William  Scorer,  John  Henrj". 

Operators’  Scale  Committee — W.  Kenner,  N.  C.  Anderson, 
Joseph  Martin,  H.  T.  Neal,  A.  M.  Ogle,  J.  Smith  Talley. 

SCALE  OP  PRICES  FOR  THE  JELLICO,  TENNESSEE,  DISTRICT 

Jellico,  Tenn.,  May  8,  1893. 

The  following  is  the  agreement  made  at  Jellico,  between 
the  miners  and  operators  for  the  current  year : 

For  Central  Jellico  Coal  Co.,  Jellico  Coal  Mining  Co.,  Main 
Jellico  Mt.  Coal  Co.,  East  Tennessee  Coal  Co.,  The  Proctor 
Coal  Co.,  Falls  Branch  Jellico  Coal  Co.,  Wooldridge  Jellico 
Coal  Co.,  and  Standard  Coal  & Coke  Co. 

1.  The  price  for  high  coal  shall  be  75  cents  per  ton  of 
2,000  pounds  over  a screen  of  65  superficial  feet  II/2  inches 
between  the  bars. 

Medium  coal  80  cents  per  ton. 

Low  coal  85  cents  per  ton. 


Joint  Agreements  1893-1896 


775 


High  coal  shall  measure  3 feet  6 inches  and  over.  Medium 
coal  3 feet  3 inches  and  under  3 feet  6 inches.  Low  coal  all 
under  3 feet  3 inches.  It  is  understood  that  only  coal  shall 
be  measured  and  not  impurities.  The  mining  seam  and  sand 
band  shall  not  be  considered  impurities. 

2.  The  standard  price  for  slate  entries  shall  be  $2.50  per 
yard,  but  when  both  top  and  bottom  are  blasted  the  price  shall 
be  $3.00  per  yard.  Rock  or  sandstone  entries  shall  be  $3.50 
per  yard,  and  if  this  price  is  not  satisfactory  the  company 
may  blast  such  entries  by  day  labor. 

Air-ways,  break-throughs,  and  all  narrow  work  in  the  coal, 
when  used  for  entries  or  air-ways,  shall  be  $1  per  yard,  but 
whenever  slate  parting  occurs  in  the  coal  and  no  top  or  bot- 
tom is  blasted  the  price  shall  be  $1.50  per  yard  when  the  slate 
does  not  exceed  9 inches ; over  9 inches  and  up  to  18  inches,  in 
entries  and  rooms,  5 cents  per  ton  extra  on  the  coal  will  be 
paid. 

Turning  rooms  shall  be  $2.50  in  high  coal,  $2.75  in  medium 
coal  and  $3  in  low  coal  for  single  rooms,  and  $4.50  for  double 
rooms,  in  all  coal,  when  ordered. 

3.  All  timber  shall  be  placed  convenient  to  the  mouth  of 
the  mine,  but  miners  must  select  their  timber  and  place  them 
convenient  to  the  track  and  number  them,  then  the  driver  will 
bring  them  at  his  earliest  convenience  after  being  notified; 
but  it  must  be  distinctly  understood  that  miners  must  not 
under  any  consideration  continue  to  work  if  a delay  of  delivery 
endangers  his  safety. 

4.  Ten  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  labor,  and  all  day 
labor  shall  be  paid  by  the  hour  on  the  following  scale : 

Drum,  171/2  cents  per  hour;  chute,  15  cents  per  hour;  head 
trackman,  22  cents  per  hour;  assistant  trackman,  Yiy-z  cents 
per  hour;  drivers,  17V2  cents  per  hour;  spike  team  drivers,  20 
cents  per  hour;  trappers,  5 to  71/2  cents  per  hour;  oilers,  5 
to  71/2  cents  per  hour;  coupler,  I21/2  cents  per  hour;  furnace, 
15  cents  per  hour. 

5.  Pay  day  shall  be  on  the  first  Saturday  after  the  10th 
of  each  month  for  all  work  done  in  the  preceding  month  less 
charges,  but  on  presentation  of  five  days’  notice  by  any  employe 
he  shall  be  entitled  to  full  settlement  at  expiration  of  such 
notice. 

6.  Any  employe  desiring  to  have  his  dues  to  the  lodge  paid 
or  collected  through  the  office  will  notify  the  company  to  that 
effect,  and  collections  will  be  paid  to  the  parties  designated  by 
the  lodge,  provided  there  is  sufficient  credit  in  the  office  to  pay 
said  dues,  but  under  all  circumstances  the  cut  for  checkweigh- 
man’s  salary  shall  be  recognized. 

7.  In  case  of  death  in  the  family  of  any  employe,  or  upon 


776 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


the  death  of  an  employe,  the  following  rule  shall  prevail: 
Death  by  accident  in  or  around  any  mine,  such  mine  will  lie 
idle  until  after  the  funeral.  Death  of  a grown  person  from 
natural  causes,  the  mine  will  lie  idle  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
funeral.  On  the  death  of  a child,  or  minor,  the  work  will  not 
lie  idle,  but  those  wishing  to  attend  the  funeral  may  lay  off 
to  do  so. 

8.  There  shall  be  a board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation. 

This  board  shall  consist  of  the  following:  J.  C.  Brooks,  P. 

Francis  and  Wm.  Jones  for  the  operators;  Burl  Anderson,  S. 
P.  Herron  and  John  Burns  for  the  miners. 

In  no  case  shall  the  men  strike  or  quit,  until  this  board  has 
finally  acted.  It  is  distinctly  understood  and  agreed  that  this 
agreement  is  to  be  the  basis  of  all  settlements  and  arbitra- 
tions. 

9.  This  agreement  expires  by  limitation  on  April  30, 1894. 

W.  T.  Riley,  Secretary-Treasurer  District  19. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  DISTRICT  6 FOR  1893-1894. 

This  agreement  entered  into  this  11th  day  of  May,  1893,  by 
and  between  the  mine  operators  and  the  miners  of  Ohio,  wit- 
nesseth.  That  the  scale  of  prices  paid  in  all  parts  of  the  state 
of  Ohio  from  May  1,  1892  to  May  1,  1893,  shall  be  paid  in  the 
several  districts  of  said  state  from  May  1,  1893,  to  May  1, 
1894,  and  the  same  conditions  in  the  several  districts  of  said 
state  prevailing  from  May  1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893,  shall  con- 
tinue from  May  1,  1893,  to  May  1,  1894. 

That  a general  committee  for  the  state,  consisting  of  two 
operators  and  two  miners,  to  co-operate  with  and  be  assisted 
by  local  committees  consisting  of  two  other  operators  and  two 
other  miners  of  each  district,  the  whole  to  constitute  a board 
of  investigation,  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  cost  of  pro- 
duction and  other  matters  in  each  district  as  defined  and  speci- 
fied in  this  agreement,  viz. : 

First — The  cost  of  placing  lump  coal  f.  o.  b.  cars  and  the 
details  of  said  cost. 

Second— The  wages  paid  to  all  classes  of  day  labor. 

Third — The  average  earning  capacity  of  men  working  by 
the  ton  for  the  period  of  one  year. 

Fourth — The  average  earnings  per  day  of  the' best  100  men 
in  each  field,  based  on  the  number  of  days  worked  during  the 
year,  designating  room  men  and  entry  men,  10  per  cent  of  the 
100  men  to  be  entry  men  and  so  designated  and  their  earn- 
ings to  be  separately  stated. 

Fifth — The  average  proportion  of  lump  or  small  coal  made 
and  marketed  in  each  district. 


Joint  Agkeements  1894-1896 


777 


That  the  period  for  examination  and  inquiry  shall  be  the 
mining  year  from  May  1,  1892,  to  May  1,  1893. 

That  the  committee  herein  provided  shall  conduct  its  in- 
quiry between  June  1,  1893,  and  October  1,  1893,  and  at  the 
close  of  its  investigations  shall  print  a full  and  complete  re- 
port, without  recommendation,  of  the  facts  obtained,  of  which 
copies  shall  be  furnished  to  both  operators  and  miners  of  the 
state. 

That  the  expenses  of  the  committee  herein  provided  shall 
be  paid,  those  of  the  miners  of  said  committee  by  the  miners 
and  the  expenses  of  the  operators  of  said  committee  by  the 
operators. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  set  our  hands  this  11th  day  of 
May,  1893. 

Signed — On  behalf  of  the  miners  by  John  Nugent,  state 
president;  W.  C.  Pearce,  state  secretary;  John  McBride,  presi- 
dent of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

On  behalf  of  the  operators  by  J.  S.  Morton,  Thomas  John- 
son, H.  D.  Turney  "and  R.  H.  Johnson,  composing  a committee 
for  Hocking  operators;  H.  L.  Chapman,  H.  S.  Willard,  E.  T. 
Jones  and  T.  J.  Morgan,  composing  a committee  for  the  Jack- 
son  operators;  George  Atherton  of  the  Wheeling  and  Lake 
Erie  company;  J.  E.  Waters,  Pittsburg  and  Wheeling  Coal 
Company  of  Sub-district  6. 

Attest : F.  S.  Brooks,  Secretary. 

BULLETIN  NO.  7,  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA,  COMPOSED 
OP  NATIONAL  TRADES  ASSEMBLY  135,  KNIGHTS  OF  LABOR, 
AND  NATIONAL  PROGRESSIVE  UNION. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  June  12,  1894. 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  Greeting: 

The  following  agreement  was  reached  at  Columbus  be- 
tween your  representatives  and  officials  and  the  undersigned 
operators,  representing  the  districts  named : 

“Resolved,  That  we  agree  that  the  rates  for  mining  2,000 
pounds  of  lump  coal  be  as  follows:  Pittsburg,  thin  vein,  69 

cents;  thick  vein,  56  cents;  Hocking  Valley,  60  cents;  Indiana 
bituminous,  60  cents;  Indiana  block,  70  cents;  Streator,  Illi- 
nois, 62%  cents  for  summer,  70  cents  for  winter;  Wilmington, 
Illinois,  771/2  cents  for  summer  and  85  cents  for  winter;  La- 
Salle and  Spring  Valley,  72%  for  summer  and  85  for  winter. 
Other  sections  in  the  Illinois  field,  at  prices  relative  to  the 
above.  Coal  in  Pittsburg  district  going  east  to  tidewater,  shall 
pay  the  same  mining  price  as  that  paid  by  the  Penn.  Gas  and 
Westmoreland  Coal  Company. 

“This  scale  of  prices  shall  be  in  effect  and  bind  both  parties 


778 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


thereto  beginning-  June  18,  1894,  and  continuing  until  May  1, 
1895,  subject  to  the  following  provisions: 

“Provided,  that  the  above-named  scale  of  prices  for  the 
Pittsburg  district  shall  be  generally  recognized  and  observed. 

“It  is  further  provided  that  operators  and  miners  shall  co- 
operate in  their  efforts  to  secure  a general  observance  of  said 
prices  named  for  said  district,  and  if,  during  the  period 
covered  by  this  agreement,  a general  recognition  of  the  prices 
herein  named  for  said  district  can  not  be  secured,  either  party 
to  this  agreement  may  call  a meeting  of  the  joint  board  of 
arbitration  to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  those  having 
authority  may  elect;  and  said  joint  board  when  so  called  shall 
meet  and  determine,  if  able,  whether  the  agreement  has  been 
sufficiently  respected  and  complied  with  to  warrant  its  con- 
tinuance to  the  date  named  herein ; if  the  board  is  unable  to 
agree  the  members  thereof  shall  select  a disinterested  man, 
whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

“If  it  shall  be  found  and  decided  by  process  above  pro- 
vided that  it  is  being  substantially  respected,  it  shall  remain 
in  force  and  bind  both  parties  thereto  for  the  period  stipulated 
herein ; and  if  found  and  decided  by  same  process  not  to  be  so 
generally  observed  as  to  warrant  its  continuance,  it  shall  be 
abrogated  and  both  parties  thereto  absolved  from  contract 
obligations  herein  set  forth. 

“Whenever  miners  desire  they  shall  be  permitted  to  elect 
and  place  on  the  tipple  as  checkweighman  men  of  their  own 
choice. 

“Wages  shall  be  paid  on  the  above  scale  semi-monthly.  All 
balances  due  on  pay  day  shall  be  paid  in  cash.  An  inter-state 
board  of  arbitration  and  conciliation,  consisting  of  four  opera- 
tors and  four  miners,  shall  consider  and  determine  upon  any 
inequality  complained  of  as  between  the  different  fields  named 
in  the  above  schedule  of  prices. 

“Signed  on  behalf  of  miners  by  John  McBride,  Patrick 
McBryde,  John  A.  Cairns,  Joseph  Dunkerly,  Cameron  Miller, 
P.  H.  Penna,  John  Fahy. 

“Signed  on  behalf  of  operators  by  J.  S.  Morton  and  H.  L. 
Chapman,  Ohio;  Francis  L.  Robbins  and  M.  H.  Taylor,  Penn- 
sylvania; J.  Smith  Tally  and  Walter  S.  Bogle,  Indiana;  A.  L. 
Sweet  and  E.  T.  Bent,  Northern  Illinois.” 

J.  E.  LAMA  AGREEMENT. 

Nelsonville,  Ohio,  June  25,  1895. 

Agreement  arrived  at  this  date  by  and  between  J.  E.  Lama 
and  his  employes  : 

That  all  employes  that  were  engaged  by  Bartell  & Spencer 


Joint  Agreements  1895-1896 


779 


in  the  early  part  of  June,  1895,  are  to  resume  their  former 
places,  for  J.  E.  Lama,  and  that  the  disposition  of  the  present 
employes  is  to  be  left  to  the  majority  vote  of  the  aforemen- 
tioned employes  of  said  Bartel!  & bpencer. 

It  is  further  agreed  that,  in  case  any  of  the  late  employes 
be  rejected,  that  the  said  J.  E.  Lama  shall  have  the  right  to 
prefer  charges  against  any  one  of  said  employes  of  Bartell  & 
Spencer,  for  violation  of  union  principles  while  working  for 
said  Bartell  & Spencer,  and  his  case  shall  be  dealt  with  in  the 
manner  provided  for  above,  that  is,  for  each  one  of  said  new 
employes  who  may  have  been  disloyal  to  their  union,  J.  E. 
Lama  shall  have  the  same  right  to  make  charges  against  any 
one  of  said  old  employes  and  the  case  shall  be  decided  by  the 
same  body,  viz.,  the  majority  of  old  employes. 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  the  question  of  checkweighman 
shall  be  decided  after  it  has  been  determined  who  are  entitled 
to  places  at  the  mine. 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  if  an  employe  absent  himself 
from  the  mine  at  any  one  time  exceeding  two  days  in  succes- 
sion, that  said  J.  E.  Lama  has  the  right  to  place  another  man 
in  his  working  place,  providing  he  fails  to  give  due  notice  and 
excuse  for  the  same. 

Signed,  J.  E.  Lama,  for  Bartell  & Spencer,  Agents, 

M.  Ratchford,  for  the  miners. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT,  PITTSBURG  RAILROAD  DISTRICTS. 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  5th  day  of 
December,  1895,  by  and  between  coal-mine  operators  and  coal 
miners  of  the  Pittsburg  railroad  districts,  witnesseth : First, 
that  price  for  mining  coal  screened  over  1%-inch  screen  shall 
be  64  cents  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds  from  January  1,  1896,  to 
March  1,  and  70  cents  a ton  from  March  1 to  December  31, 
1896;  that  the  day  and  dead-work  scale  agreed  to  by  the  joint 
convention  of  operators  and  miners,  held  October  10,  11,  12, 
1895,  is  hereby  reaffirmed  and  becomes  a part  of  this  agree- 
ment; as  follows: 

“At  a convention  of  miners  and  operators  hgld  in  Pittsburg 
October  10,  11  and  12,  1895,  it  was  resolved  that  we  adopt  the 
rates  of  day  and  dead  work  of  1892,  based  upon  a 79-cent  rate 
for  mining,  and  to  rise  and  fall  in  proportion  to  the  wages 
paid  per  ton  for  mining,  and  the  following  schedule  will  show 
the  price  of  day  and  dead  work  to  be  paid  under  several  min- 
ing prices. 

Signed  for  the  miners : • Signed  for  the  operators : 

John  Cairns,  George  W.  Schluederberg, 

William  A.  Warner.  Alexander  Dempster, 

T.  H.  Chapman. 


780 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


When  price  of  1%-inch  coal  is $0  C4  $0.70 

Clay  veins  6 inches  and  less  than  12  inches 1.65  2.00 

Anything  over  12  inches  at  the  rate  of  per  foot 1.62  1.77 

Where  clay  veins  run  in  angle  across  the  room  or  entry  there 

shall  be  paid  while  it  continues  per  yard .41  .45 

Anything  6 inches  or  less  shall  be  considered  a “spar,”  for 

which  shall  be  paid .81  .88 

And  where  the  “spar”  runs  in  an  angle  there  shall  be  paid 

additional  .20  .22 

Room  turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  7 yards 2.03  2.21 

Entry  work,  for  2 men,  per  yard ' , .81  .88 

Entry  work,  for  2 additional  men,  per  yard 1.01  1.10 

Entry  work,  for  3 shifts,  per  yard  1.22  1.33 

For  12-foot  places  former  prices  to  be  paid. 

Break-throughs,  per  yard .41  .45 

Ripping  roof,  digging  drain,  thick  slate,  to  be  left  to  miners 
and  mine  boss. 

Pick  sharpening  to  be  1%  per  cent. 

Drivers’  wages,  minimum  price  per  day 1.62  1.77 

Drivers’  wages,  maximum  price  per  day 1.83  2.00 


Excepting  in  such  cases  where  owing  to  exceptional  difficulties 

a higher  pi'ice  is  now  paid. 

It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  this  contract  is  contin- 
gent on  the  following  conditions: 

“That  all  stores  owned  by  coal  companies  and  individual 
coal  operators  be  abolished,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution 
of  joint  conference,  October  10,  11,  12,  1895,  that  all  stores 
owned  by  coal  companies,  known  as  company  stores,  be 
abolished  on  or  before  January  1,  1896,  and  that  after  that 
date  no  mine  owner,  superintendent  or  mine  clerk,  either 
directly  or  indirectly,  be  interested  or  connected  with  such 
store. 

“That  where  company  stores  exist  after  January  1,  1896, 
or  deductions  are  made  from  miners’  wages  in  the  interest  of 
any  store,  directly  or  indirectly,  the  employer  shall  be  regarded 
as  keeping  a company  store  and  shall  pay  20  cents  per  ton 
extra  for  mining. 

“That  there  shall  be  no  limit  on  wagons  at  any  mine. 

“That  the  recognized  screen  of  the  Pittsburg  district  shall 
not  exceed  60  superficial  feet,  with  li/^  inches  between  con- 
tinuous flat  bars;  screens  shall  be  free  from  obstructions; 
back-action  screens  shall  be  considered  as  screens  with  ob- 
structions. 

“Operators  shall  recognize  the  right  of  miners’  checkweigh- 
men  of  their  ov.m  selection,  whose  wages  shall  be  deducted 
by  the  company  from  miners’  wages.  It  is  further  provided 
that  checkweighmen  must  not  interfere  with  company  busi- 
ness nor  shall  he  be  a member  of  mine  committees. 

“That  a committee  of  five  operators  and  five  miners  be 
appointed  by  this  convention  to  whom  shall  be  referred  all 
questions  of  difference  arising  under  this  contract,  and  that 


Joint  Agreements  for  1897 


781 


said  committee  shall,  between  January  1 and  16,  meet  to  can- 
vass the  situation,  and  if  they  find  that  the  above  provisions 
have  been  complied  with,  and  the  New  York  and  Cleveland 
Gas  Coal  Company  is  paying  the  district  price  of  64  cents, 
then  the  committee  shall  declare  this  contract  in  effect,  but  if 
the  company  is  not  paying  said  district  price,  they  shall  de- 
.clare  the  prices  being  paid  by  the  said  New  York  and  Cleve- 
land Gas  Coal  Company  the  price  to  be  paid  in  the  Pittsburg 
district.  This  shall  apply  during  the  existence  of  the  con- 
tract. 

“Pay  days  shall  be  the  10th  and  25th  of  each  month. 
Miners  shall  be  paid  on  the  10th  for  the  wages  earned  in  the 
last  15  days  of  the  preceding  month,  and  on  the  25th,  the 
wages  of  the  first  15  days  ©f  the  current  month;  provided,  that 
nothing  in  this  contract  shall  be  construed  to  prevent  opera- 
tors now  paying  every  two  weeks  from  continuing  to  do  so.” 

Adjourned  until  Friday,  10  a.  m.,  to  hear  the  report  of 
scale  committee  on  machine  mining. 

REPORT  OF  SCALE  COMMITTEE. 

The  price  of  machine  mining,  where  Harrison  & Ingersoll, 
or  pick  machines  are  used,  shall  be  one-fifth  of  the  price  of 
pick  mining  for  cutting,  and  one-half  for  loading.  It  is  recom- 
mended, that  the  price  of  driving  entry,  or  narrow  work  with 
machines  shall  be,  for  the  Jeffrey  chain  or  bar  machine,  3 
cents  per  ton  over  and  above  the  regular  price  for  cutting 
in  rooms;  for  loading,  13  cents  per  ton,  for  the  Harrison,  or 
pick  machines,  5 cents  per  ton  over  and  above  the  regular 
price  for  cutting,  and  13  cents  for  loading. 

Where  it  is  preferred  to  pay  by  yard,  the  price  on  the 
Harrison  machine  for  cutting  and  loading  shall  be  30  per 
cent  less  than  the  regularly  established  district  price  for  yard- 
age by  pick  mining  and  for  the  Jeffrey  chain  or  cutter  bar 
machine,  37  per  cent  less,  to  be  divided  between  cutter  and 
loader,  in  the  same  relative  proportion  as  paid  for  room  work. 

Where  the  entries  are  of  sufficient  width  to  enable  the 
machine  miner  to  turn  the  room,  the  operator  shall  pay  the 
pick  price  for  mining  for  such  work. 

The  price  for  room  turning  with  Jeffrey  machine  to  be 
$2,  based  upon  a 64-cent  rate  of  pick  mining,  of  which  the 
cutter  is  to  receive  one-third,  or  65  cents,  and  the  loader  two- 
thirds,  or  $1.35. 


782 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  price  for  room  turning  with  the  Harrison  machine 
shall  be  $2.35,  based  on  64-cent  pick  mining,  of  which  the 
cutter  shall  receive  $1  and  the  loader  $1.35. 

After  the  scale  for  machine  mining  has  been  tried  and 
found  to  be  unjust  to  any  person  interested,  the  committee  of 
10  shall  take  up  the  question,  and  if  necessary  readjust  the 
same. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  10  appointed  by  this  con- 
vention, with  power  to  act,  in  putting  into  effect  and  enforc- 
ing all  the  covenants  and  agreements  entered  into  by  us  shall 
also  have  full  power  and  authority  to  interpret  any  part  of 
these  agreements  and  to  act  as  arbitrators  in  case  of  difficulty 
at  any  of  the  rnines  operating  under  said  agreement,  and  that 
in  all  cases  their  decision  shall  be  final  and  binding  upon 
all  parties. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  miners:  Walter  Calverly,  George  Wil- 
son, Thomas  Kirsop,  Cameron  Miller,  Pat  McBryde,  J.  A. 
Cairns,  P.  H.  Penna,  William  Warner,  secretary  of  convention. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  operators:  J.  C.  Dysart,  G.  W. 

Schluederberg,  F.  M.  Osborne,  D.  M.  Anderson,  chairman  of 
convention. 

Scale  committee  reported  the  following  on  differential, 
which  was  adopted  as  amended. 

Resolved,  That  the  relative  price  of  differential  between 
the  thick  and  thin  vein  shall  be  the  same  relative  differential 
as  in  1892,  which  would  make  a difference  of  14  cents  per  ton 
in  the  Youghiogheny  Valley,  and  13  cents  per  ton  in  the  Mo- 
nongahela  Valley,  when  mining  in  the  thin  vein  is  64  cents  per 
ton,  and  to  advance  and  decline  with  the  percentage  of  dif- 
ference. 

Amendment,  That  this  standing  committee  have  the  powder 
to  decide  any  question  that  may  arise  as  to  the  geographical 
line  of  thick  and  thin  vein  coal. 

William  Warner,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  P.  H.  Penna  and 
seconded  by  F.  L.  Robbins. 

Inasmuch  as  the  mining  question  in  this  district  has  be- 
come one  of  public  interest,  and  inasmuch  as  the  daily  press 
of  this  city  has  manifested  such  interest  in  presenting  the 
question  at  issue  to  the  public  scrutiny ; therefore 


Joint  Agreements  1892-1897 


783 


Resolved,  That  when  the  joint  committee  appointed  by  this 
convention  meets  to  canvass  the  situation  to  decide  whether 
true  uniformity  prevails  or  not,  <that  the  editors  of  all  the 
daily  newspapers  in  this  city  be  invited  to  attend  and  become 
a part  of  said  joint  committee. 

The  following  committee  of  ten  was  appointed : 

Miners — P.  H.  Penna,  J.  A.  Cairns,  William  Warner,  Ed. 
McKay,  George  Wilson. 

Operators — G.  W.  Schluederberg,  F.  M.  Osborne,  T.  E. 
Young,  John  Blythe,  Roger  Hartley;  John  C.  Dysart — Alter- 
nate. 

A vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  the  chairman  of  the  con- 
vention. 

After  some  very  appropriate  remarks  by  Chairman  D.  M. 
Anderson,  the  convention  adjourned. 

LOCAL  JOINT  AGREEMENT  DISTRICT  17,  WEST  VA.,  1897. 

At  a meeting  of  a committee  of  the  miners  composed  of 
Local  Union  No.  158  (and  George  Robinson,  district  presi- 
dent), of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  employes  of 
the  Riverside  Coal  Company,  and  J.  R.  Thomas,  president  of 
said  company,  held  October  21,  1897,  the  following  was  agreed 
to: 

First — That  214,  cents  per  bushel  for  coal  over  a li/^-inch 
screen,  with  a coresponding  advance  for  yardage,  and  day 
labor  shall  be  paid  until  January  1,  1898. 

Second — Pay-day  shall  occur  the  first  Saturday  after  the 
10th  of  each  month. 

Third — No  one  shall  be  discharged  for  failure  to  buy  goods 
from  company  stores. 

Fourth — No  one  to  be  discharged  for  participating  in  the 
present  strike. 

Fifth — All  difficulties  are  to  be  adjusted  as  prescribed  in 
the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  or- 
ganization. 

Sixth — A checkweighman  is  to  be  allowed  and  paid  by  the 
miners.  Collections  to  be  made  in  a manner  agreed  on  by  the 
company,  and  dues  to  the  organization  to  be  collected  through 
and  by  the  checkweighman  from  all  the  employes  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Seventh — While  the  company  agrees  not  to  interfere  with 
any  miner  becoming  a member  of  the  organization,  they  re- 
sume the  right  to  employ  non-union  men,  who  shall  not  be 


784 


United  Mine  Workers  op  America 


discriminated  for  or  against  or  treated  discourteously  by  any 
employes  of  the  company,  nor  will  the  company  countenance 
discourteous  treatment  by  a non-union  miner  to  a union  miner. 

Eighth — All  miners  occupying  company’s  houses  are  to 
pay  75  cents  per  month  for  coal  at  the  tipple,  shanty  men 
25  cents  per  month. 

Ninth — Each  miner  is  to  pay  5 cents  per  hundred  bushels 
for  smithing. 

Signed  by  committee  of  miners. 

Henry  Stephenson,  Member  Executive  Board, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

William  Anderson, 

E.  J.  Myers, 

Z.  B.  Loudermilk, 
Wesley  Wright, 

John  Finigan. 

Signed  by  the  company : 

J.  R.  Thomas,  President  Riverside  Coal  Company. 


WAGE  SCALE,  1892-1897. 

At  a meeting  of  a committee  of  miners  and  operators  held 
in  Pittsburg,  September  20th  and  21st,  1897,  it  was  agreed 
that  we  adopt  the  rates  of  day  and  dead  work  of  1892,  based 
upon  the  seventy-nine  cent  rate  of  mining,  and  to  rise  and  fall 
in  proportion  to  the  wages  paid  per  ton  for  mining ; and  the 
following  schedule  will  show  the  prices  of  day  and  dead  work 


to  be  paid  under  the  several  mining  prices : 

Mining  Prices 

When  price  of  1%-inch  coal  is $ .65  $ .79 

Then  price  of  Run  of  Mine  coal  is .39  

Clay  veins,  6 inches  and  less  than  12  inches 1.65  2.00 

Anything  over  12  inches  at  the  rate  per  foot 1.65  2.00 

Where  clay  veins  run  at  an  angle  across  the  room  or  entry 

there  shall  be  paid  while  it  continues,  per  yard .41  .50 

Anything  6 inches  or  less  shall  be  considered  a spar,  for 

which  shall  be  paid .82  1.00 

And  when  the  spar  runs  at  an  angle  there  shall  be  paid  ad- 
ditional per  yard  .21  .25 

Room  turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  7 yards 2.06  2.50 

Entry  work,  for  two  men,  per  yard .82  1.00 

Entry  work,  for  two  additional  men,  per  yard 1.03  1.25 

Entry  work,  for  three  shifts,  per  yard 1.24  1.50 

For  12-foot  places  former  price  to  be  paid. 

Break-throughs,  per  yard  .41  .50 


But  where  slate  is  taken  down  and  moved  entry  price  to  be 
paid. 

Ripping  roof,  digging  drain,  thick  slate  and  all  other  dead 
work  not  mentioned  in  this  scale,  to  be  left  to  miners 
and  mine  boss. 


Joint  Agreements  for  1897 


785 


Pick  sharpening  to  be  on  the  dollar $ .0103  1% 

Drivers’  wages,  minimum  per  day 1.65  2.00 

Drivers’  wages,  maximum  per  day J , 1.85  2.25 

Excepting  in  such  cases  where,  owing  to  exceptional  diffi- 
culties, a higher  price  may  be  paid. 

The  prices  for  room  turning-  and  narrow  work  to  be  as 
follows : 

For  Harrison  Machine  : 

The  price  for  undercutting  to  be  one-fifth  and  loading  one- 
half  the  price  of  pick  mining. 

Room  turning  shall  be  $2.39,  of  which  the  cutter  is  to 
receive  $1.02  and  the  loader  $1.37. 

Entry  work  shall  be  58  cents  per  yard  in  addition  to  the 
regular  price  for  cutting  and  loading  in  rooms,  of  which  the 
cutter  is  to  receive  17  cents  per  yard,  and  the  loader  41  cents 
per  yard. 

When  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work  the  cutter  to  receive  5yo 
cents  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  cutting  in  rooms, 
making  I8I/2  cents  per  ton;  the  loader  to  receive  131/4  cents 
per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  loading  in  rooms, 
making  45%  cents  per  ton. 

Break-throughs  shall  be,  per  yard,  42  cents,  but  where  they 
are  driven  entry  width  and  slate  taken  down,  the  price  for 
driving  entry  shall  be  paid. 

Jeffrey  Machine  or  Chain  Machine: 

The  price  for  undercutting  to  be  one-eighth  and  loading 
one-half  the  price  of  pick  mining. 

Room  turning  shall  be  $2.03,  of  which  the  cutter  is  to  re- 
ceive 66  cents,  and  the  loader  $1.37. 

Entry  work  shall  be  52  cents  per  yard  in  addition  to  the 
regular  price  for  cutting  and  loading  in  rooms,  of  which  the 
cutter  is  to  receive  11%  cents,  and  the  loader  40%  cents  per 
yard. 

Where  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work  the  cutter  to  receive  3 
cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  cutting  in 
rooms,  making  11%  cents  per  ton;  the  loader  to  receive  13% 
cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  loading  in 
rooms,  making  45%  cents  per  ton. 

Break-throughs  shall  be,  per  yard,  42  cents;  but  where 
they  are  driven  entry  width  and  slate  taken  down,  the  price  for 
driving  shall  be  paid. 

For  cutting  clay  veins,  spars,  etc.,  by  Harrison  machine, 
the  price  to  be  30  per  cent  less  than  by  pick;  Jeffrey  machine, 
37  per  cent  less  than  by  pick,  to  be  divided  between  cutter  and 
loader  in  the  same  relative  proportion  as  is  paid  for  room 
work. 

Resolved,  That  the  65-cent  rate  per  ton  as  agree  upon  at 


786 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Columbus,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  confirmed  and  adopted 
as  the  price  to  be  paid  for  all  coal  screened  over  a li/2-inch 
screen  for  pick  mining  in  the  thin-vein  coal  mines  in  the  Pitts- 
burg district. 

Resolved,  That  from  the  best  data  at  command,  60  per  cent 
of  run  of  mine  coal  has  been  1 1/2-inch  coal ; and,  taking  that 
as  a basis  of  ratio,  and  maintaining  the  same,  the  price  of 
run  of  mine  coal  so  based  shall  be  39  cents  per  ton,  which  shall 
continue  until  January  1,  1898,  or  until  changed  by  the  joint 
convention  of  miners  and  operators  in  December,  and  it  is 
recommended  that  each  pick  operator  of  the  thin  vein  keep  a 
correct  account  of  all  coal  produced  between  this  time  and 
December  1,  so  that  a ratio  can  be  more  intelligently  arrived 
at  for  future  determination. 

Based  upon  this  39  cents  per  ton  for  run  of  mine  coal 
mined  with  the  pick,  the  price  for  Harrison  machine  will  be 
for  the  cutter,  7 8-10  cents  per  ton,  and  for  the  loader  I91/2 
cents  per  ton. 

Where  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work  on  run  of  mine  basis,  the 
cutter  to  receive  3 3-10  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  regular 
price  for  cutting  in  rooms,  making  11  1-10  cents  per  ton;  the 
loader  to  receive  7 95-100  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regu- 
lar price  for  loading  in  rooms,  making  27  45-100  cents  per  ton. 


For  Jeffrey  Machine  : 

The  price  for  run  of  mine  coal  will  be,  for  cutter,  .0487, 
and  for  the  loader  I91/2  cents  per  ton. 

Where  paid  by  ton  for  entry  work,  the  cutter  to  receive 
.018  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  cutting 
in  rooms,  making  .0667  cents  per  ton;  the  loader  to  receive 
.0795  cents  per  ton  in  addition  to  the  regular  price  for  loading 
in  rooms,  making  27  45-100  cents  per  ton. 

For  12-foot  places  the  price  to  be  arranged  between  the 
mine  boss  and  miners,  and  the  question  to  be  brought  before 
the  December  convention  of  miners  and  operators  for  final  ad- 
justment. 

The  manner  of  arranging  drivers’  wages  was  left  as  before, 
for  the  reason  that  there  could  be  no  other  result  reached 
which  would  be  satisfactory  to  both  parties. 


Signed  for  Miners : 

Wm.  Warner, 

John  O’Neal, 

Peter  McLaughlin, 
Richard  Maize, 
James  Yeardley. 


Signed  for  Operators: 

J.  B.  Zerbe, 

Geo.  W.  Schlltederberg, 
F.  M.  Osborne, 

• Alexander  Dempster, 
Wm.  Beadling. 


Joint  Agreements  for  1897 


787 


REPORT  OF  JOINT  COMMITTEE. 

REPRESENTING  THE  MINERS  OF  THE  ROCHESTER  & PITTSBURG 
COAL  & IRON  COMPANY,  AND  JEFFERSON  & CLEARFIELD 
COAL  & IRON  COMPANY. 

DuBois,  Pa.,  September  23,  1897. 

Your  joint  committee,  representing  each  mine  in  this  re- 
gion, beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report : 

We  went  to  the  Pittsburg  region  and  made  a thorough  in- 
vestigation of  what  has  been  paid  for  months  past,  and,  more 
especially,  what  will  actually  be  paid  on  the  present  settlement 
in  that  region. 

We  found  that  the  prices  which  have  been  paid  in  the  Pitts- 
burg region,  so  far  as  the  past  is  concerned,  have  been  less 
than  we  have  been  receiving  in  this  region,  and  we  hereby 
frankly  admit  this  as  the  true  condition. 

We  find  that  the  price  which  will  now  be  paid  under  the 
settlement  of  sixty-five  cents  per  ton  for  pick  coal  over  a one 
and  one-half-inch  screen,  will  be  for  the  thin-vein  mines  in  the 
Pittsburg  region,  thirty-nine  cents  per  net  ton  for  mine  run 
coal.  We  therefore  find  that  we  are  entitled  to  the  following 
prices  in  this  region : 

For  mine  run  pick  coal 40  cents  per  net  ton 

For  loading  machine  cut  coal 22  cents  per  net  ton 

For  cutting  coal  6 cents  per  net  ton 

Headings,  machine  cut 30  cents  per  net  ton 

For  drivers,  highest  price $1.S5  per  day. 

We  wish  to  further  advise  that  we  had  every  opportunity 
to  get  thorough  and  accurate  information,  and  the  above  is,  as 
stated,  the  maximum  or  highest  prices  we  can  claim.  Signed, 

P.  McHale, 

D.  B.  Hinton, 

W.  K.  Snyder, 

M.  D.  Addaric, 

P.  Stapleton, 

V.  Baker, 

M.  Levelle, 

D.  Sharkey, 

J.  Narcoss, 

Thos.  Haggerty, 

. Jno.  Sullivan, 

P.  Donohue, 

P.  McGowan, 

Committee. 


788 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


The  above  report  is  correct,  and  in  accordance  with  actual 
facts,  and,  as  per  agreement  with  our  men,  we  hereby  agree 
to  pay  the  above  rates,  dating  from  September  9,  1897,  and 
what  was  promised  our  men  pending  this  investigation  will 
also  be  paid  as  agreed.  Lucius  W.  Robinson, 

General  Manager. 


LOCAL  JOINT  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  OPERATOR  JOHNSON  OF  THE 

KANAWHA  VALLEY,  WEST  VA.,  AND  THE  MINE  WORKERS 
NOVEMBER  3,  1897. 

I,  the  undersigned,  do  hereby  agree  to  pay  40  cents  per  ton 
run  of  mine  for  the  No.  5 coal  and  will  give  all  gas  coal  men 
employment  in  the  No.  5 mine  as  will  be  possible  and  every 
miner  shall  receive  the  same  turn,  and  will  concede  to  a check- 
weighman  on  the  tipple;  and,  further,  I will  not  run  the  soft 
coal  mine  until  the  first  of  1898,  and  if  I should  propose  to 
start  the  soft  coal  mine  I will  pay  35  cents  per  ton  until  the 
1st  of  1898. 

W.  R.  Johnson  (Seal). 

Thomas  Legg  (Seal). 

It  is  further  agreed  that  said  W.  R.  Johnson  will  not  in  any 
way  discriminate  against  any  of  his  employes;  and,  further, 
that  day  labor  and  entry  yardage  shall  be  advanced  in  pro- 
portion to  above  scale. 


OFFICIAL  MINING  SCALE  SUB-DISTRICT  5 OF  DISTRICT  6,  UNITED 
MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA — COMPOSED  OF  BELMONT, 
HARRISON,  JEFFERSON  AND  TUSCARAWAS 
COUNTIES,  OHIO. 


Mining  Screened  Lump  Coal,  per  ton $0.50 

Mining  Run  of  Mine  .40 

Mining  Bank  Measure  per  ft.,  room  24  ft.  wide,  coal  5 ft 1.79 

Mining  Dry  Entries  per  yard  of  coal 1.15 

Mining  Dry  Entries  per  yard  not  to  exceed  6 ft.  in  width,  bank 

measure  2.28 

Mining  Break-throughs  between  entries Entry  price 

CutUng  through  horsebacks  or  rolls,  18  in.  thick 2.00 

Re-setting  posts,  each .10 

Cleaning  falls  in  rooms,  per  car .10 

Entries — Working  single,  must  be  6 ft.  wide;  double,  must  be  8 ft.  wide. 
Wet  entries,  25  cents  per  yard  extra. 

Double  shifting  entries,  25  cents  per  yard  extra. 


Behncmt,  Earrison  and  Jefferson  Counties. 


Mining  break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard .90 

Room-turning,  7 ft.  wide,  21  ft.  deep 6.00 

Room-turning  for  each  yard  less  in  depth,  deduct .9214 


Joint  Agreements  for  1898 


789 


Room-turning  for  each  foot  more  in  width,  deduct .70 

Cleaning  slate,  extra 1.75 


TuscaroAvas  Vovaiti/. 


Mining  break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard $ .70 

Room-turning,  7 ft.  wide,  21  ft.  deep 2.75 

Room-turning,  6 ft.  wide,  6 ft.  deep ’ 2.00 

DAY  LABOR. 

Per  Day. 

Track  laying  $1.90 

Drivers  1.65 

Inside  labor  1.65 

Water  haulers  1.65 

Cagers  1.65 

Firemen  1.65 

Trappers  .70 

Checkers  : 1.65 

Trimmers  and  Dumpers 1.50 

Outside  labor : 1.40 

Expires  December  31,  1897. 


CHICAGO  JOINT  AGREEMENT,  1898. 

Chicago,  Illinois,  January  28. — Contract  by  and  between 
the  operators  of  the  competitive  coal  field  and  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America : 

The  following  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  in  joint 
interstate  convention  in  this  city,  January  26,  1898,  by  and 
between  the  operators  and  miners  of  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio 
and  Western  Pennsylvania,  known  as  the  Pittsburg  thin  vein 
district,  witnesseth: 

First — That  an  equal  price  for  mining  screened  lump  coal 
shall  hereafter  form  a base  scale  in  all  of  the  districts  above 
named,  excepting  the  State  of  Illinois,  the  block  coal  district 
of  Indiana  to  pay  10  cents  per  ton  over  that  of  Hocking  Valley, 
Western  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana  bituminous  district,  and 
that  the  price  of  pick  run-of-mine  coal  in  the  Hocking  Valley 
and  Western  Pennsylvania  shall  be  determined  by  the  actual 
percentage  of  screenings  passing  through  such  screen  as  is 
hereinafter  provided,  it  being  understood  and  agreed  that 
screened  or  run-of-mine  coal  may  be  mined  and  paid  for  on 
the  above  basis  at  the  option  of  the  operators,  according  to 
market  requirements  and  the  operators  of  Indiana  bituminous 
shall  also  have  like  option  of  mining  and  paying  for  run-of- 
mine  or  screened  coal. 

Second — That  the  screen  hereby  adopted  for  the  State  of 
Ohio,  Western  Pennsylvania  and  the  bituminous  district  of 
Indiana  shall  be  uniform’  in  size,  6 feet  wide  by  12  feet  long, 
built  of  flat  or  Akron  shaped  bar  of  not  less  than  5-8ths  of  one- 
inch  surface  with  I14,  inches  between  bars,  free  from  obstruc- 


790 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


tions,  and  that  such  screens  shall  rest  upon  a sufficient  number 
of  bearings  to  hold  the  bars  in  proper  position. 

Third — That  the  . block  coal  district  of  Indiana  may  con- 
tinue the  use  of  the  diamond  screen  at  present  size  and  pattern 
with  the  privilege  of  run-of-mine  coal,  the  mining  price  of 
which  shall  be  determined  by  the  actual  screenings  and  that 
the  State  of  Illinois  shall  be  absolutely  upon  a run-of-mine 
system  and  shall  be  paid  for  on  that  basis. 

Fourth — That  an  advance  of  10  cents  per  ton  of  2,000 
pounds  for  pick  mined  screened  coal  shall  take  effect  in  West- 
ern Pennsylvania,  Hocking  Valley  and  Indiana  bituminous 
districts  on  April  1,  1898,  and  that  Grape  Creek,  Illinois  and 
the  bituminous  district  of  Indiana  shall  pay  40  cents  per  ton 
run-of-mine  coal  from  and  after  same  date,  based  upon  66 
cents  per  ton  screened  coal  in  Ohio,  Western  Pennsylvania  and 
the  Indiana  bituminous  district,  same  to  continue  in  force  un- 
til the  expiration  of  this  contract. 

Fifth — That  on  and  after  April  1,  1898,  the  eight-hour 
workday  with  eight  hours’  pay,  consisting  of  six  days  per 
week  shall  be  in  effect  in  all  of  the  districts  represented  and 
that  uniform  wages  for  day  labor  shall  be  paid  the  different 
classes  of  labor  in  the  fields  named,  and  that  internal  differ- 
ences in  any  of  the  states  or  districts,  both  as  to  prices  or  con- 
ditions shall  be  referred  to  the  states  or  districts  affected  for 
adjustment. 

Sixth — That  the  same  relative  prices  and  conditions  be- 
tween machine  and  pick  mining  that  have  existed  in  the  differ- 
ent states  shall  be  continued  during  the  life  of  this  contract. 

Seventh— That  present  prices  for  pick  and  machine  min- 
ing, and  all  classes  of  day  labor,  shall  be  maintained  in  the 
competitive  states  and  districts  until  April  1,  1898. 

Eighth — That  the  United  Mine  Workers  organization,  a 
party  to  this  contract,  do  hereby  further  agree  to  afford  all 
possible  protection  to  the  trade  and  to  the  other  parties  hereto, 
against  any  unfair  competition  resulting  from  a failure  to 
maintain  scale  rates. 

Ninth — That  this  contract  shall  remain  in  full  force  and 
effect  from  April  1,  1898,  to  April  1,  1899,  and  that  our  next 
annual  interstate  convention  shall  convene  in  the  city  of  Pitts- 
burg on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January,  1899. 

Adopted. 

Signed  for  Illinois  operators — J.  H.  Garaghty,  E.  T.  Bent. 

Indiana  bituminous  operators — Walter  L.  Bogle. 

Indiana  block  operators — C.  B.  Niblock. 

Pittsburg  thin  vein  district  operators — J.  C.  Dj'sart,  F.  IM. 
Osborne. 

For  Illinois  miners — J.  M.  Hunter,  W.  D.  Ryan, 


Joint  Agreements  1897-1898 


791 


For  Indiana  bituminous  miners — W.  G.  Knight,  J.  H.  Ken- 
nedy. 

For  Indiana  block  coal  miners-^J.  E.  Evans. 

For  Ohio  miners — W.  E.  Farms,  T.  L.  Lewis. 

For  Pittsburg  thin  vein  miners — Patrick  Dolan,  Edward 
McKay. 

For  West  Virginia  miners — Henry  Stephenson. 

Members  National  Executive  Board,  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America — Fred  Dilcher,  John  Fahy,  Henry  Stephenson, 
Edward  McKay,  J.  H.  Kennedy,  W.  D.  Ryan. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  Pres.,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

John  Mitchell,  Vice-President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary-Treasurer. 

THE  PITTSBURG  SCALE,  AS  AGREED  UPON  BETWEEN  MINERS 
AND  OPERATORS  AT  A CONFERENCE  HELD  AT  PITTS- 
BURG ON  APRIL  8 TO  11,  1898. 

When  the  price  of  li/£-inch  screen  coal  is  per  ton $ .66 

Room-turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  7 yards 2.50 

Entry  work,  for  1 yard  of  entry  completed 1.35 

Entry  work,  for  1 yard  of  entry  complete,  double  shift,  per  yard 1.60 

Entry  work,  for  1 yard  of  entry,  treble  shift,  per  yard 1.85 

Break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard .95 

Break-throughs  between  entries,  where  slate  is  taken  down  or  comes 

down  and  has  to  be  removed,  per  yard 1.35 

Break-throughs  between  entries,  where  slate  is  not  taken  do\ra .95 

Pick  sharpening,  on  the  dollar — , .0114 

IMACHINE  MINING. 

Harrison,  Ingersoll  or  Sullivan  Machines. 

The  undercutting  in  rooms,  per  ton $ -1214 

For  loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .33 

For  drilling  by  hand  and  loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .36 

For  drilling  by  power  and  loading  in  rooms,  per  ton .35 

For  cutting  in  entries,  per  ton .13% 

For  loading  in  entries,  per  ton . .41% 

For  drilling  by  hand  and  loading  in  entries,  per  ton .44% 

For  drilling  by  power  and  loading  in  entries,  per  ton .43% 

Loading  in  break-throughs  between  entries,  per  ton -41% 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs  in  entries,  per  ton .4414 

Loading  in  break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  ton .39 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs  in  rooms,  per  ton .42 

Drilling  by  power  drill,  per  ton .02 

Drilling  by  hand  drill,  per  ton .13% 

For  loading  and  cutting  in  room-turning  entry  price  shall  be  paid. 

Jeffrey,  Link-Belt,  Morgan-Oardner,  Chain  Machines. 

For  undercutting  in  rooms,  per  ton .$  .08 

For  undercutting  in  entries,  per  ton .11 

All  loading  and  drilling  after  this  machine  to  be  the  same 
as  that  paid  for  Harrison,  Ingersoll  or  Sullivan  machines.  For 


792 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


cutting  clay  veins,  spar,  etc.,  the  price  to  be  30  per  cent  less 
than  by  pick  for  Harrison  machine  and  37  per  cent  less  than 
by  pick  for  Jeffrey  machine,  to  be  divided  between  cutter  and 
loader  in  same  relative  proportion  as  paid  for  room  work  (this 
to  be  figured  out  when  the  scale  is  complete). 

The  hours  of  day  labor  at  all  mines  to  be  from  7 o’clock 
a.  m.  until  12  noon,  with  one  full  hour  for  dinner,  and  then 
from  1 o’clock  p.  m.  until  4 o’clock  p.  m. 


comparative  scale  for  district  no.  5,  PITTSBURG,  PA. 

Day  wages,  yardage,  mining  prices  for  pick  and  machine, 
screened  and  mine-run  coal,  2,000  pounds  per  ton.  Size  of 
screen,  li/i  inches  between  bars.  1897-1898. 

Day  Wages — Outside. 


1897  Apr.  1.  1898  to 
(10  Hours)  Apr.  1,  1900 
(8  Hours) 

Blacksmith  $1.68 — 2.25 

Dumpers  1.30 — 1.60 

Trimmers  1 1.30 — 1.50 

Greasers  .75 — 1.25 

Engineers  1.90 — 2.00 

Firemen  1.20 — 1.50 

Other  Outside  Labor 1.30 — 1.50 


Day  Wages — Inside. 

Tracklayers  

Tracklayers’  Helpers  

Drivers  

Trappers  

Cagers  

Trip  Rope  Riders 

Water  Haulers  

Timbermen  

Pipemen  

Other  Inside  Labor 


Pick  Mining,  Per  Ton. 

Thin  vein,  screened  coal 

Thick  vein,  screened  coal 

Thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Room-turning,  neck  not  over  7 yards 

Single  shift  entry,  per  yard 

Double  shift  entry,  per  yard 

Treble  shift  entry,  per  yard 

Room  break-throughs,  per  yard 

Entry  break-throughs,  per  yard 


1.45—1.85 

$1.90 

1.75 

1.65—1.85 

1.75 

.55—  .70 

.75 

1.35—1.60 

1.75 

1.75 

1.50—1.65 

1.75 

1.90 

1.85 

1.75 

! .65 

$ .66 

.48—  .52 

.5208 

.39 

.4266 

.3413 

2.06 

2.50 

.82 

1.35 

1.03 

1.60 

1.24 

1.85 

.41 

.95 

.95 

Joint  Agreements  1897-1900 


793 


Machine  Mining,  Per  Ton, 


s c 
■ o o 

> W 05 


o 


00  u ^ ^ -C 
d ^ 'Z  d 

K = 5a 


>. 

i s'  i _ 

: P o 
u o w m 
O t-  -C  o 

s § “.s 

'g  0)  O 

0)  ta  £ 3 

mo  o S 


Cutting  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  screened  coal $ 

Cutting  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Cutting  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 

Cutting  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Cutting  in  entries,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 

Cutting  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Cutting  in  entries,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 

Cutting  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 

Loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coaL 

Loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein,  screened  coal 

Loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein;  mine-run  coal 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein, 

mine-run  coal  

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal 

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein, 

mine-nm  coal  

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal ; 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thin  vein, 

mine-run  coal  

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  rooms,  thick  vein, 

mine-run  coal  

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein  screened 

coal  

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine-run 

coal  

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  screened 

coal  

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine-run 

coal  . 

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  screened 

coal  

Hand  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,,  thick  vein,  mine-run 

coal  

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  screened 

coal  

Power  drilling  and  loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine-run 

coal  

Loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  screened  coal 

Loading  in  entries,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,’  screened  coal 

Loading  in  entries,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal 

Hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between  entries, 

entry  price  


•i2y2 

$ .08 

.0807 

.0517 

.10 

.064 

.0645 

.0413 

.131/2 

.11 

.0870 

.0711 

.108 



.0697 



.33 

.33 

.2133 

.2133 

.264 

.264 

.1706 

.1706 

.36 

.36 

.2327 

.2327 

.288 

.288 

.1860 

.1860 

.35 

.35 

.2262 

.2262 

.28 

.28 

.1809 

.1809 

.44% 

.44V8 

.2876 

.2876 

.356 

.356 

.2300 

.2300 

.43% 

.43% 

.2812 

.2812 

.348 

.348 

.2250 

.2250 

.41% 

.41% 

.2682 

.2682 

.332 

.332 

.2145 

.2145 

794 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Loaxiing  in  break-throughs,  between  rooms,  tliin  vein 

screened  coal .39  .39 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  rooms,  thin  vein, 

mine-run  coal  .2520  .2520 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  rooms,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal .312  .312 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  rooms,  thick  vein, 

mine-run  coal .2016  .2016 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thin  vein,  screened  coal .44%  .44% 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal .2876  .2876 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thick  vein,  screened  coal .356  .356 

Loading  and  hand  drilling  in  break-throughs,  between 

rooms,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal .2300  .2300 

Power  drilling,  thin  vein,  screened  coal .0200  .0200 

Power  drilling,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal .0130  .0130 

Power  drilling,  thick  vein,  screened  coal .0160  .0160 

Power  drilling,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal .0100  .0100 

Hand  drilling,  thin  vein,  screened  coal i .0300  .0300 

Hand  drilling,  thin  vein,  mine-run  coal .0200  .0200 

Hand  drilling,  thick  vein,  screened  coal .0240  .0240 

Hand  drilling,  thick  vein,  mine-run  coal .0160  .0160 

Loading  and  cutting  in  room  turning,  entry  price 

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thin  vein, 

screened  coal -41%  

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thin  vein, 

mine-run  coal  .2682  

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thick  vein, 

screened  coal .332  

Loading  in  break-throughs,  between  entries,  thick  vein, 

mine-run  coal  .2145  


MASSILLON,  OHIO,  JOINT  AGREEMENT,  1898. 

A joint  committee,  composed  of  operators  and  miners  of 
the  Massillon  district,  met  at  Massillon,  April  6,  1898,  and 
agreed  upon  the  following  scale  of  prices  for  inside  deadwork 
and  supplies : 


Mining,  per  ton $ .66 

Entry,  single  shift 1.75 

Entry,  double  shift 2.00 

Break-throughs  between  entries,  per  yard 1.50 

Break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard 1.12 

Turning  rooms 1.65 

All  inside  day  labor,  by  miners 1.75 


Dirt  coming  down  unavoidably,  5 cents  for  every  six  inches. 

Ripping  top  and  bottom,  5 cents  per  inch  per  yard. 

Horsebacks  to  be  agreed  upon  by  miners  and  mine  boss. 

Operators  to  take  water  out  or  to  agree  with  miners  as  to  price. 

Entry  four  yards  wide  to  be  35  cents  per  yard  less  than  narrow  entry. 
Wet  entry,  price  to  be  agreed  upon  by  miner  and  mine  boss. 

Car  limit,  2,500  pounds. 


Powder,  per  keg 1.60 

Oil,  per  gallon .50 


Joint  Agreement  District  23,  1898 


795 


House  coal,  per  ton 

Smithing,  entries  

Smithing,  rooms : 

At  tlie  above  rates  all  persons  are  to  furnish  their  own  oil. 


1.40 

.01% 

.01 


It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Howells  that  Saturday  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  any  other  day  of  the  week;  that  is  to  say,  that  it 
shall  consist  of  eight  hours’  work.  If,  however,  at  any  time 
in  the  future,  it  shall  be  known  that  any  district  in  the  state 
shall  agree  to  work  only  one-half  day  on  Saturdays,  we,  the 
operators  in  the  Massillon  district,  agree  to  take  the  matter  up 
with  a committee  of  miners  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Howells,  that  one  hour  for  dinner  shall  be 
the  rule  in  the  Massillon  coal  district.  However,  if  less  time 
shall  be  generally  adopted  throughout  the  state  of  Ohio,  .we, 
the  operators  of  the  Massillon  district,  are  willing  to  take  the 
matter  up  with  a committee  of  miners  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Howells,  that  sun  time  shall  be  used  in  the 
Massillon  coal  district,  work  to  commence  at  7 o’clock  a-  m., 
taking  one  hour  for  dinner  from  11  to  12;  quitting  time  at  4 
o’clock  p.  m.,  sun  time.  If,  however,  standard  time  shall  be 
generally  adopted  in  the  Ohio  coal  districts,  the  Massillon  op- 
erators expect  and  shall  use  standard  time  also. 

All  inside  labor  to  be  same  as  adopted  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
as  follows: 


Track  Layers  $1.90 

Track  Layers’  Helpers 1.75 

Trappers  .75 

Bottom  Cagers 1.75 

Drivers  1.75 

Trip  Drivers ■ 1.75 

Water  Haulers 1.75 

Timbermen 1.90 

Pipe  Men  for  Compressed  Air  Plants 1.85 

All  Other  Inside  Day  Labor 1.75 


Signed  on  behalf  of  miners  by : 

Wm.  Morgan,  District  President. 

M.  B.  Evans,  District  Vice-President. 
John  Williams,  Secretary-Treasurer. 
Frank  Welch. 

Stephen  J.  Evans. 

James  Crichton. 


796 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Signed  on  behalf  of  operators  by ; 

J.  P.  Burton,  Chairman. 

E.  E.  Fox,  Secretary. 

A.  Howell. 

J.  F.  POCOCK. 

R.  H.  Wainwright. 

James  Wilson. 

W.  J.  Mullins. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT,  DISTRICT  NO.  23,  1898. 

"ARe  following  agreement  entered  into  in  the  joint  con- 
vention at  Central  City,  Kentucky,  April  14,  1898,  by  and 
between  the  mine  operators  (of  the  Louisville  division  of  the 
J.  C.  and  the  0.  & N.  roads)  and  their  employes,  Witnesseth : 

PICK  MINING. 

Resolution  No.  1. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  pick  mining  for  the  year  end- 
ing March  31,  1899,  shall  be  66  cents  per  ton,  over  the  district 
standard  screen.  It  is  distinctly  understood  that  when  any 
company  uses  a shaker  screen  that  screens  more  than  the 
standard  screen  they  shall  weigh  coal  in  the  cars  on  a run-of- 
mine  basis.  It  is  agreed  that  the  ratio  of  lump  coal  to  mine- 
run  over  li/^-inch  district  standard  screen  shall  be  based  on 
62  per  cent  going  into  the  weigh-box,  and  this  per  cent  shall 
regulate  the  ratio  of  lump  and  run-of-mine  coal  whenever  any 
change  is  made  in  the  price  of  mining. 

That  the  mine-run  price  shall  be  41  cents  per  ton,  an  equiv- 
alent of  62  per  cent  of  66  cents,  the  price  of  lump  coal. 

It  is  understood  that  coal  shall  be  mined  2)^  feet,  and  the 
solid  may  be  shot  not  more  than  an  equal  amount. 

Resolution  No.  2. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  yardage  in  entries  shall  be  $1 
per  yard,  but  when  the  entry  exceeds  10  feet  and  not  more 
than  12  feet  the  price  shall  be  75  cents  per  yard,  and  no  yard- 
age shall  be  paid  in  excess  of  12  feet. 

Should  the  bank  boss  and  miner  driving  an  entry  agree 
that  it  is  wet  then  the  miner  shall  receive  25  cents  per  yard 
extra. 

Resolution  No.  3. 

Resolved,  That  the  price  of  turning  rooms  shall  be  $3  per 
room. 


Joint  Agreements  for  1898 


797 


MACHINE  MINING. 

Resolution  lio.  4- 

Resolved,  That  the  price  for  drilling,  shooting,  loading  and 
timbering,  after  the  chain  and  punch  machines,  shall  be  one- 
half  of  the  price  of  pick  mining. 

There  shall  be  no  differential  in  loading  between  the  punch 
and  chain  machines,  on  condition  that  the  companies  using 
chain  machines  brad  the  coal,  handle  the  slack  and  take  up 
the  bottom. 

Resolution  No.  5. 

Resolved,  That  chain  runners  and  helpers  shall  be  paid  at 
the  rate  of  $3.75  per  27  cuts,  under  ordinary  conditions,  di- 
vided : $2  to  the  runner  and  $1.75  to  the  helper;  and  when  they 
work  by  the  day  the  runner  shall  receive  25  cents  an  hour  and 
the  helper  21  7-8  cents, per  hour. 

The  punch  machine  runners  shall  receive  6 cents  per  ton 
and  the  helpers  4 cents  per  ton  for  mine-run  coal;  and  when 
they  work  by  the  day  the  runner  shall  receive  25  cents  per 
hour  and  the  helper  18%  cents  per  hour. 

Resolution  No.  6. 

Resolved,  That  the  yardage  for  chain  machines  and  punch 
machines  shall  be  50  cents  per  yard,  to  be  divided  as  follows : 
35  cents  to  the  loader,  8 cents  to  the  cutter  and  7 cents  to  the 
helper  in  chain  machine  mines;  and  26%  cents  to  the  loader, 
14  cents  to  the  cutter  and  9%  cents  to  the  helper  in  punch  ma- 
chine mines. 

Resolution  No.  7. 

Resolved,  That  turning  rooms  in  machine  mines  shall  be 
paid  for  by  the  yard  at  50  cents  per  yard,  divided  between 
loaders  and  cutters  and  their  helpers. 

Resolution  No.  8. 

Resolved,  That  the  company  shall  lay  all  roads  and  timber 
all  bad  places  not  caused  by  the  miner’s  own  negligence. 

Resolution  No.  9. 

Resolved,  That  a square  turn  shall  be  kept  over  the  mines 
in  rooms  and  narrow  work,  under  ordinary  conditions.  Half 
turn  to  boys  between  12  and  16  years. 

Resolution  No.  10. 

Resolved,  That  miners  absent  without  notice  to  their  bank 
boss  for  three  consecutive  days  shall  forfeit  their  working 
place. 


798 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolution  No.  11. 

Resolved,  That  any  miner  loading  an  unusual  amount  of 
slate,  sulphur  or  other  impurities  shall  be  laid  olf  one  day  for 
each  offense.  The  weighmaster  and  the  checkweighman  to 
be  the  judges  of  such  unusual  amount,  and  any  miner  laid  off 
three  times  during  any  one  month  shall  then  be  subject  to 
discharge. 

Resolution  No.  12. 

Resolved,  That  the  checkweighman  shall  have  a number 
to  run  his  account,  and  shall  be  allowed  to  cut  each  miner  to 
an  amount  not  exceeding  $1  per  month. 

It  is  distinctly  understood  that  such  cuts  must  be  with  the 
approval  of  each  miner. 

Any  additional  cuts  can  only  be  made  on  the  written  order 
of  each  employe,  and  such  orders  shall  be  payable  out  of  the 
cash  balance  due  to  the  said  employe  on  pay  day. 

That  no  miner  shall  be  blacklisted  who  does  not  agree  to 
have  checkweighman  or  other  cuts  collected. 

Union  and  non-union  men  shall  be  employed  without 
prejudice. 

Resolution  No.  13. 

Resolved,  That  no  mass  meeting  shall  be  held  during  work- 
ing hours,  on  or  off  the  companies’  premises,  when  the  mine 
is  running,  and  anyone  calling  a meeting  shall  be  subject  to 
discharge. 

No  committee  shall  visit  any  employe  at  his  working  place, 
except  in  company  with  the  bank  boss,  to  settle  a grievance 
and  any  employe  caught  out  of  his  working  place  during  work- 
ing hours,  except  for  satisfactory  reasons,  is  liable  to  have  his 
turn  stopped  at  the  option  of  the  bank  boss. 

Resolution  No.  I4. 

Resolved,  That  all  labor  shall  be  paid  for  by  the  hour  or 
quarters  of  hours  and  that  eight  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s 
labor,  so  far  as  mine  laborers  and  miners  are  concerned,  but 
the  eight  hours  shall  not  affect  the  engineers,  firemen,  pump- 
ers, outside  teamsters,  night  watchmen  or  special  repair  work, 
nor  such  men  as  are  how  paid  by  the  month. 

That  an  eight-hour  day  means  eight  hours’  work  in  the 
mine  at  usual  working  places  for  all  classes  of  day  labor  and 
miners,  and  any  miner  late  without  reasonable  excuse  shall 
forfeit  his  turn  for  the  day.  This  shall  be  exclusive  of  the 
time  required  in  reaching  working  places  and  departing  from 
same  at  night. 

Regarding  drivers,  they  shall  take  their  mules  to  and  from 
the  stable,  and  the  time  in  so  doing  shall  not  include  any  part 


Joint  Agreement  District  23, 1898 


799 


of  the  day’s  work,  their  work  beginning  when  they  reach  the 
change  at  which  they  receive  empty  cars,  but  in  no  case  shall 
a driver’s  time  be  docked  while  he'  is  waiting  for  such  cars  at 
point  needed. 

That  the  following  scale  of  wages  shall  be  paid  for  inside 


work : 

Per  Day. 

Tracklayers $1.75 

Tracklayers’  Helpers 1.60 

Trappers  .50 

Bottom  Cagers 1.60 

Drivers  1.60 

Riders  1.60 

Water  Haulers 1.60 

Timbermen  : 1.75 

Pipemen  1.70 

All  Other  Inside  Day  Labor ; 1.60 


The  present  outside  scale  of  wages  per  hour  in  force  at 
each  mine  shall  remain  unchanged,  except  that  we  agree  that 
eight  hours’  work  shall  receive  nine  hours’  pay. 

Resolution  No.  15. 

That  there  shall  be  no  boys  employed  as  drivers,  except  on 
straight  track,  and  said  drivers  shall  receive  25  cents  per  day 
less  than  the  district  scale. 


Resolution  No.  16. 

Resolved,  That  employes  are  liable  to  be  discharged  for : 

(a)  Disorderly  conduct. 

(b)  Gambling  and  shooting  on  the  company’s  premises. 

(c)  Taking  coal,  tools,  timber,  etc.,  without  permission. 

(d)  Firing  before  the  run  stops  without  permission  of 
the  bank  boss. 

(e)  Committing  a nuisance  in  entries,  airways  or  the 
necks  of  rooms. 

Resolution  No.  17.  . 

Resolved,  That  in  case  of  a death  in  the  family  of  an  em- 
ploye the  following  rules  shall  prevail ; 

(a)  Death  by  accident  in  or  around  the  mines  shall  lay 
the  mine  idle  until  after  the  funeral. 

(b)  Death  of  a grown  person  or  employe  from  natural 
causes,  the  mine  will  lay  idle  on  the  afternoon  of  the  funeral. 

(c)  On  the  death  of  a child  or  minor,  the  work  will  not 
lay  idle,  but  those  wishing  to  attend  the  funeral  may  do  so. 

The  turn  lost  by  the  grave  diggers  in  the  last  two  rules 
shall  be  made  up  to  them  during  the  month. 


800 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Resolution  No.  18. 

Resolved,  That  we  require  that  married  men  shall  at  all 
times  form  the  majority  of  all  grievance  committees. 

• Resolution  No.  19. 

Resolved,  That  in  all  conferences  the  employes  of  each 
mine,  or  especially  the  mine  affected,  shall  be  represented  by 
not  less  than  three  of  the  employes  of  such  mine,  and  that  the 
voting  power  shall  always  be  vested  in  such  employes,  but  this 
does  not  preclude  the  presence  of  any  officials  of  the  labor 
•organization. 

Resolution  No.  20. 

Resolved,  That  there  shall  be  a board  of  arbitration  and 
conciliation  to  adjust  all  disputes  arising  under  this  agree- 
ment, composed  of  three  on  each  side,  with  power  to  select  an 
umpire,  and  their  decision  shall  be  final  and  binding  on  all 
parties  to  this  agreement  and  those  they  represent,  but  under 
no  circumstances  shall  work  stop,  and  any  suspension  of  work 
before  the  decision  of  the  arbitrator  is  received,  such  sus- 
pension will  be  sufficient  cause  to  discharge  all  parties  causing 
the  dispute. 

Resolution  No.  21. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  spirit  of  this  agreement  that,  in 
consideration  of  the  co-operation  of  the  mining  companies 
with  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  said  organization 
must  at  all  times  show,  when  required,  that  they  control  two- 
thirds  of  the  mine  employes  of  the  district  making  this  agree- 
ment, and  in  consideration  of  such  co-operation  the  said  or- 
ganization guarantees  uniformity  and  equality  of  mining  and 
day  scale  wages  with  other  competitive  mines,  especially  those 
of  western  Kentucky. 

This  has  special  reference  to  the  I.  C.  and  0.  & N.  mines 
for  immediate  uniformity,  but  this  equality  is  guaranteed 
with  the  Henderson  division  mines  by  September  1,  1898. 

- Resolution  No.  22. 


Resolved,  That  this  contract  goes  into  effect  May  1,  1898, 
and  continues  in  force  until  March  31,  1899. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our 


names,  this  14th  day  of  April, 

J.  F.  Smith, 

Joe  B.  Reed, 

James  A.  Walker, 

Thomas  R.  Jeffreys, 

J.  H.  Williams, 

Miners’  Scale  Committee. 


1898. 

C.  L.  Field, 

Simon  Jones, 

J.  S.  Williams, 

C.  W.  Taylor, 

Guy  M.  Deane, 

Operators’  Scale  Committee. 


Joint  Agreement  District  20,  1898 


801 


W.  G.  Knight, 
Joseph  Smith, 


W.  G.  Duncan, 

Hywell  Davies, 

Advisory  for  Operators. 
GIjy  M.  Deane, 

Secretary  for  Operators. 


Advisory  for  Miners. 


James  Wood, 


Secretary  for  Miners. 


JOINT  INTERPRETATION. 


Pittsburg,  Pa.,  May  31,  1898. 


To  the  Operators  and  Miners  of  the  Monongahela  Valley  of 

the  Pittsburg  District. 

Gentlemen : 

Under  a resolution  adopted  at  our  last  joint  convention 
held  in  this  city  May  19-21,  we,  your  committee,  met  today  to 
consider  the  question  of  the  arbitration  of  the  differentials 
of  the  different  pools  of  the  Monongahela  river,  with  the  fol- 
lowing result : 

First — That  the  arbitration  of  the  mining  prices  in  any 
of  the  districts  governed  by  the  Chicago  agreement  would  be 
a violation  of  the  agreement,  as  will  be  seen  by  its  preamble, 
as  follows:  Chicago,  January  28. — Contract  between  the 
operators  of  the  central  coal  fields  and  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America:  The  following  agreement  made  and 

entered  into  in  joint  interstate  convention  in  this  city  (Chi- 
cago, 111.),  by  and  between  the  operators  and  miners  of  Illi- 
nois, Indiana,  Ohio  and  Western  Pennsylvania,  known  as  the 
Pittsburg  thin  vein  district,  witnesseth : 

Second — That  the  prices  fixed  in  Chicago  were  relatively 
fair  and  competitive  and  agreed  to  by  all  representatives  of 
the  fields  named,  and  that  the  departure  from  such  prices  dur- 
ing the  life  of  our  contract  would  unjustly  affect  and  injure 
the  interests  of  all  of  the  districts  represented. 

Third — That  the  interests  who  are  suing  for  arbitration, 
namely  the  operators  of  the  third  pool  of  the  Monongahela 
river,  were  parties  to  the  Chicago  agreement  and  fully  sub- 
scribed to  all  of  its  provisions,  and  are,  therefore,  not  en- 
titled to  any  lower  prices  than  that  provided  for  the  thin  vein 
district  during  the  life  of  our  present  agreement. 

Fourth — That,  if  concessions  of  this  character  were 
granted  in  any  of  the  fields  governed  by  our  agreement  it 
would  no  doubt  lead  to  the  demoralization  and  disruption  of 
our  present  joined  relations,  which  we  have  labored  so  long 
and  so  hard  to  accomplish. 

In  view  of  these  facts  and  others  that  might  be  given  show- 
ing the  fairness  and  justness  of  the  position  we  have  taken, 
we,  your  committee,  do  heartily  recommend  to  all  miners  and 
operators  that  the  Chicago  agreement  be  strictly  adhered  to 


802 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


at  all  the  mines  in  this  district,  and  that  wherever  such  prices 
are  not  acceded  to,  the  miners  will  take  the  necessary  steps 
to  enforce  it. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  operators : 

I.  N.  Bunton, 

W.  B.  Rodgers, 

W.  W.  O’Neil. 

In  behalf  of  the  miners: 

Pat  Dolan, 

William  Warner, 

M.  D.  Ratchford. 

LOCAL  CONTRACT  DISTRICT  20,  BETWEEN  THE  TENNESSEE  COAL, 
IRON  AND  RAILROAD  COMPANY  AND  ITS  BLOCTON  MINERS. 

Birmingham,  Ala.,  June  30,  1898. 

The  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and  Railroad  Company  and  the 
duly  authorized  representatives  of  the  miners  from  Blockton 
have  this  day  agreed  upon  the  following  contract  from  July  1, 
1898,  until  June  30,  1899  : 

The  price  of  mining  to  be  a minimum  of  40  cents  per  ton 
when  all  grades  of  pig  iron  net  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and 
Railroad  Company  $7.10  or  less  f.  o.  b.  cars  at  the  furnaces  in 
Alabama,  and  for  every  advance  of  50  cents  per  ton  in  the  net 
price  received  for  all  grades  of  iron  there  shall  be  an  advance 
of  2f4  cents  per  ton  in  the  price  of  mining,  until  the  net  price 
received  for  all  grades  of  iron  reaches  $9.10  per  ton,  when  the 
price  of  mining  would  be  50  cents  per  ton.  Thereafter  the 
price  of  mining  shall  advance  2i/4  cents  for  each  one  dollar  ad- 
vance in  the  net  price  received  for  all  grades  of  iron.  In  the 
big  seam  at  Blocton,  when  the  size  of  the  coal  is  reduced  to 
below  four  feet,  there  shall  be  an  advance  of  2i/4  cents  in  the 
price  of  mining,  and  if  the  coal  is  reduced  below  three  feet 
the  price  of  mining  shall  advance  5 cents  above  the  scale  in 
that  seam. 

The  coal  is  to  be  weighed  during  the  continuance  of  this 
contract  at  all  mines  where  it  is  now  being  weighed  and  check- 
weighmen  are  to  be  allowed  as  in  the  past. 

The  price  of  iron  to  be  determined  as  follows : The  miners 
to  appoint  one  or  more  duly  authorized  representatives  to  act 
for  them,  and  such  representative  or  representatives  to  meet 
with  the  representative  or  representatives  of  the  company  not 
later  than  the  5th  day  of  each  month,  and  at  such  meeting  to 
examine  all  books,  sale  memoranda  or  other  evidence  in  the 
possession  of  the  company  as  might  show  the  actual  average 
price  at  which  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and  Railroad  Com- 


Joint  Agreement  C.  & A.  R.  R.  Mines 


803 


pany  sold  all  grades  of  iron  in  the  previous  month,  and  such 
price,  when  determined,  to  be  announced  by  the  representa- 
tives to  both  the  miners  and  the  company,  and  to  be  binding 
upon  both. 

If  the  representatives  of  the  miners  and  the  company  fail 
to  agree  as  to  what  was  the  selling  price  of  all  grades  of  iron 
for  any  month,  then  they  are  to  agree  upon  and  call  in  another 
person,  who  is  not  a miner  or  an  employe  of  the  company,  who 
shall,  upon  investigation  of  the  actual  sales  made,  determine 
the  price,  and  such  determination  shall  be  binding  upon  both 
parties  to  this  contract. 

The  expenses  of  the  representatives  or  representatives  of 
the  miners  and  others  governed  by  the  scale  to  be  regulated 
and  paid  by  them.  Such  expense  to  be  prorated  by  the  com- 
mittee at  so  much  per  miner,  and  others  governed  by  the  scale, 
whose  names  appear  on  the  roll,  and  to  be  collected  by  the 
company  and  turned  over  to  the  committee. 

Dead  work  and  day  labor  in  mines  and  house  rent  of  miners 
and  mine  laborers  and  powder  to  be  governed  by  the  scale 
as  furnished  each  party.  Mining  rules  to  be  the  same  as  at 
present. 

No  discrimination  is  to  be  made  in  the  distribution  of 
work  against  the  colored  miners,  but  all  competent  colored 
men  are  to  have  an  equal  chance  at  work. 

The  term  “all  grades  of  pig  iron”  means  all  grades  except 
silver  gray  and  white. 

TENNESSEE  COAL,  IRON  AND  RAILROAD  CO., 

By  G.  B.  McCormack,  General  Manager. 

John  Kelley, 

A.  H.  Gentry, 

Veto  Waney, 

D.  H.  Wilson, 

D.  A.  Johnston, 

W.  D.  McGinnis, 

Geo.  Young, 

W.  J.  Hand, 

H.  Scott. 

Approved : 

Mh  R.  Fairley,  President  District  20, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 


804 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


REPORT  AND  JOINT  AGREEMENT  ON  CHICAGO  AND  ALTON  RAIL- 
ROAD, AUGUST  17,  1898. 

Springfield,  Illinois. 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  Esq.,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

Dear  Sir:  We,  the  undersigned  committee,  to  whom  was 
assigned  the  duty  of  investigating  mining  conditions  along  the 
Chicago  and  Alton  track  south  of  Springfield,  do  hereby  report 
our  findings. 

The  conditions  under  which  the  investigation  was  con- 
ducted are  covered  in  the  following  agreement,  entered  into  at 
Indianapolis,  August  8,  1898 : 

ARTICLE  OF  AGREEMENT. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  August  8,  1898. 

Witnesseth — We,  the  undersigned,  operators  and  miners 
south  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  do  hereby  agree  to  leave  the  set- 
tlement of  the  mining  price  to  be  paid  in  said  district,  until 
April  1 next,  to  President  M.  D.  Ratchford  and  the  National 
Executive  Board,  or  such  members  thereof  as  the  national 
president  may  be  able  to  send  to  make  investigations  in  order 
to  reach  their  determination.  Such  investigation  to  cover  the 
different  points  of  competition  and  the  price  arrived  at  to 
be  a fair  relative  one;  and  that  such  price  shall  be  reached 
not  later  than  August  16  next. 

And  we  do  further  hereby  agree  to  abide  by  the  decision 
reached. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  operators : 

Chicago  Virden  Coal  Co.,  F.  W.  Lukins,  Manager. 

ViRDEN  Coal  Co.,  C.  H.  Hurst,  President. 

Carlinville,  Coal  Co.,  W.  H.  Behrens,  Secretary. 

Litchfield  Mining  and  Power  Co.,  A.  G.  Klinebeck, 

Receiver. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  miners : 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  President. 
John  M.  Hunter, 

W.  D.  Ryan, 

Wood  Marble, 

James  Hall, 

Thos.  Gallagher, 

Pete  Owens, 

J.  A.  Murphy. 


O’Gara  and  King  Joint  Agreement  in  District  12  805 


Chicago,  Illinois,  November  16,  1898. 

The  following  agreement  to  remain  in  force  from  date 
until  April  1,  1899 : 

Memorandum  of  agreement  between  the  O’Gara  and  King 
Mining  Company  and  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America : 

Section  1.  The  price  per  ton  of  pick-mined,  run  of  mine 
coal  to  be  40  cents,  the  miners  agreeing  to  shoot  the  bottom 
coal  before  shooting  the  top  coal. 

Section  2.  Entry  price  to  be  $1.35  per  yard  for  eight  feet 
and  $1.15  for  twelve-foot  entries,  turning  room  $2.50,  machine 
mining  33  cents  per  ton  run  of  mine  coal,  entry  machine  min- 
ing, eight  foot,  38  cents  per  ton,  square  turn  to  be  kept,  each 
miner  receiving  an  equal  number  of  cars.  Props  to  be  sawed 
square  on  butt  end.  No  docking  for  loading  unclean  coal. 
Same  arrangements  to  be  agreed  to  between  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company  and  the  pit 
committee  which  will  fully  protect  the  said  company.  The 
employes  of  the  O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company  expressly 
agree  to  observe  carefully  the  laws  and  constitutional  re- 
quirements of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America.  No  em- 
ploye to  be  discharged  without  good  and  sufficient  cause.  The 
miners  agree  that  mass  meetings  will  not  be  held  in  the  mines. 
The  company  agrees  to  employ  all  former  employes  without 
discrimination.  The  following  scale  of  wages  to  be  paid  day 
laborers : 

Per  day— Company  men,  $1.75;  drivers,  $1.75;  track 
layers,  $1.90;  timber  men,  $1.90;  all  other  inside  labor,  $1.75. 
trappers,  $.75. 

Outside  labor  to  be  paid  the  scale  agreed  to  between  the 
O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company  and  said  top  men  during 
the  resumption  of  work  last  June.  The  company  agrees  to 
furnish  the  pit  committee  with  a check  and  permit  them  to 
check-off  union  dues  and  other  assessments  required  by  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company : 
O’Gara  and  King  Mining  Company. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America: 

. John  Mitchell, 

John  Hunter, 

W.  R.  Russell, 

, W.  D.  Ryan, 

Edw.  Cahill. 

Dan’l  J.  Keefe, 

Chairman. 


806 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


JOINT  agreement  DISTRICT  19. 

McHenry,  Kentucky,  January  6,  1899. 

Resolved,  That  the  chain  machine  operators  and  miners  of 
the  Central  Kentucky  district  jointly  agree  that  3%  cents 
per  ton  shall  be  the  price  paid  for  bradding  of  coal,  taking  up 
of  bottom  and  removing  dust,  from  the  16th  day  of  January, 
1899,  until  March  31,  1899,  with  the  understanding  that  an- 
other joint  conference  shall  be  held  to  agree  upon  a new  scale 
of  prices  not  later  than  February  13,  1899.  And  it  is  further 
agreed  that  not  more  than  eight  inches  of  bottom  coal  shall  be 
left  to  be  taken  up.  And  for  every  inch  of  bottom  over  eight 
inches  the  miner  to  get  14  of  a cent  per  ton  extra  for  every 
inch.  The  bank  boss  and  machine  boss  to  hold  the  cutting 
down  as  close  to  the  bottom  as  possible. 

Signed  on  part  of  miners : 

J.  H.  Doss,  President. 

J.  B.  Bender,  Vice-President. 

J.  R.  Jeffrey,  Member  Executive  Board, 

Chris  Evans,  Representative,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

Signed  on  part  of  operators : 

W.  G.  Duncan, 

H.  Davies, 

(By  Simon  Jones.) 

BLOOMINGTON  ILLINOIS  AGREEMENT. 

Made  and  entered  into  this  8th  day  of  February,  A.  D. 
1899,  by  and  between  the  McLean  County  Coal  Company,  of 
Bloomington,  Illinois,  of  the  first  part,  and  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  of  the  second  part,  viz. : That  it  is 

hereby  agreed  and  understood  that  the  party  of  the  first  part 
agrees  to  adopt  the  agreement  as  made  by  the  joint  conven- 
tion of  operators  and  miners  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  January  24, 
1899,  said  agreement  to  take  effect  from  March  6,  1899,  and 
continue  in  force  to  March  31,  1900. 

DISTRICT  13,  IO\VA — CENTERVILLE  JOINT  AGREEMENT — 
MARCH  9,  1899. 

This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  9th  day  of 
March,  1899,  at  Centerville,  Iowa,  by  and  between  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  conventidn  assembled,  party  of 
the  first  part,  and  the  undersigned  coal  operators  of  the  low- 
coal  district  Imown  as  Sub-district  No.  1 of  District  No.  13. 
of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  party  of  the  second 
part. 

Witnesseth,  That  the  annual  price  for  pick  mining  shall 


Joint  Agreement  District  13 


807 


be  85  cents  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds  screened  coal  over  the 
screens  now  in  use  from  March  1,  1899,  to  February  28,  1900, 
and  that  hand-picked  coal  be  considered  under  this  agreement 
as  screened  coal. 

2.  That  the  pay  be  semi-monthly. 

3.  That  the  long-wall  machine  question  be  submitted  for 
arbitration  to  a judge  of  the  second  judicial  district  of  the 
State  of  Iowa,  who  shall  render  a decision  not  later  than  April 
1,  1899,  said  decision  to  be  binding  on  all  parties  and  is  hereby 
made  a part  of  this  agreement. 

4.  That  the  miner  keep  and  be  responsible  for  his  road- 
way, measuring  twenty  feet  outward  from  the  face  of  the 
coal,  and  also  in  the  long-wall  work  to  keep  his  wall  in  good 
order  for  the  agreed  distance.  Corner-cutting  in  long-wall 
work  to  be  50  cents  per  yard,  the  miner  to  deliver  his  coal 
at  his  own  switch. 

5.  Eight  hours  shall  constitute  a day’s  work. 

THE  UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA; 

By  John  F.  Ream,  President  District  No.  13. 

John  P.  Reese,  Vice-President. 

Operators ; 

Big  Jo  Coal  Co.,  by  W.  Harkes,  Gen.  Supt. 

Columbia  Coal  Co.,  by  W.  E.  Baker,  Pres. 

Walnut  Creek  Coal  Co.,  D.  C.  Bradley. 

Mystic  Fuel  Co.,  James  A.  Seddon. 

Gust  Pearson  Co.,  by  Emil  Johnson. 

Lodwick  Bros.  Co.,  by  David  Lodwick. 

Orr  Bros.,  by  Alenxander  Orr. 

Acken  Co.,  by  W.  Porter. 

Crescent  Coal  Co.,  by  Daniel  Clark. 

Peacock  Coal  Co.,  by  R.  F.  Lawton. 

Brazil  Coal  Co.,  by  B.  F.  Silknitter. 

White-Breast  Fuel  Co.,  by  J.  Holland. 

Happy  Coal  Co.,  by  C.  Erickson. 

Seymour  Coal  Co.,  by  George  Elmore. 

F.  H.  JUCKET,  per  B.  C.  Busby. 

Peerless  Coal  Co.,  T.  E.  Lee,  President. 

Lone  Star  Coal  Co.,  by  J.  Seddon. 

Mystic  Coal  Co.,  J.  L.  Helm. 

I.  & M.  Coal  & Mining  Co.,  by  A.  B.  Dudley. 

Darby  Block  Co.,  by  George  Guild. 

Scandinavian  Co.,  by  Claus  Johnson. 

Phoenix  Coal  Co.,  by  Joseph  Turner. 

Centerville  Block  Coal  Co.,  W.  W.  Oliver. 

Numa  Coal  Co.,  by  A.  G.  Widmer. 

Anchor  Coal  Co.,  by  J.  Wilson. 


808 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Columbus,  0.,  March  10,  1898. 

inside  day  wage  scale  from  APRIL  1,  1898,  TO  MARCH  31, 

1899. 


Tracklayers  

Tracklayers’  helpers 

Trappers  

Bottom  cagers 

Drivers 

Trip  riders  

Water  haulers  

Timbermen,  where  such  are  employed 

Pipe  men,  for  compressed  air  plants 

Company  men  in  long  wall  mines,  third  vein  districts,  Northern  Illinois- 
All  other  inside  day  labor 


$1.90 

1.75 

.75 

1.75 

1.75 

1.75 

1.75 

1.90 

1.85 

1.75 

1.75 


The  above  scale  was  arrived  at  by  taking  the  average  of  the 
wages  paid  in  all  of  the  competitive  districts  and  reducing  said 
average  to  an  eight-hour  day,  then  adding  the  advance  to  said 
average  to  correspond  with  the  advance  in  the  price  of  min- 
ing to  be  paid  April  1st  next. 

Resolution  No.  1. — The  above  schedule  of  day  wages  ap- 
plies only  to  men  employed  in  the  performance  of  their  labor, 
and  does  not  apply  to  boys  unless  they  can  do  and  are  em- 
ployed to  do  a man’s  work. 

Resolution  No.  2. — Whereas,  We  have  failed  to  agree  upon 
a uniform  rate  of  wages  for  the  different  classes  of  outside 
labor  for  the  entire  competitive  field,  owing  to  the  variations 
of  conditions  over  which  we  have  no  control ; 

Resolved,  That  the  employing  of  outside  day  laborers 
around  the  mine  and  wages  to  be  paid  the  same  shall  be  left 
entirely  to  the  employers  and  such  employes  in  all  the  com- 
petitive districts,  and  the  question  of  uniform  wages  for  out- 
side labor  be  referred  to  our  next  interstate  joint  convention. 

Resolved,  That  where  any  member  of  the  present  force 
of  outside  day  labor  in  the  competitive  field  prefers  to  work 
in  the  mine  in  preference  to  accepting  the  wages  offered  for 
their  services  as  outside  day  laborers,  they  shall  be  given  places 
in  the  mine  to  mine  coal. 

Resolution  No.  3. — Resolved,  That  an  eight-hour  day  means 
eight  hours’  work  in  the  mine  at  usual  working  places  for  all 
classes  of  inside  day  labor.  This  shall  be  exclusive  of  the  time 
required  in  reaching  such  working  places  in  the  morning  and 
departing  from  same  at  night.  Regarding  drivers  they  shall 
take  their  mules  to  and  from  the  stables  and  time  in  doing 
so  shall  not  include  any  part  of  the  day’s  labor,  their  work 
beginning  when  they  reach  the  change  at  which  they  receive 
empty  cars,  but  in  no  case  shall  a driver’s  time  be  docked 
while  he  is  waiting  for  the  cars  at  the  point  named. 


Joint  Agreement  District  12 


809 


Resolution  No.  4. — Resolved,  That  when  the  men  go  into 
the  mine  in  the  morning  they  shall  be  entitled  to  two  hours’ 
pay,  whether  or  not  the  mine  works  the  full  two  hours.  But 
after  the  first  two  hours  the  men  shall  be  paid  for  every  hour 
thereafter  by  the  hour  for  each  hour’s  work  or  fractional  part 
thereof.  If  for  any  reason  the  regular  routine  work  can  not 
be  furnished  the  inside  labor  for  a portion  of  the  first  two 
hours,  the  operators  may  furnish  other  than  regular  labor  for 
the  unexpired  time. 

The  above  was  agreed  to  after  the  most  careful  discussion 
of  each  item,  and  we  believe  it  to  be  the  best  and  most  equit- 
able solution  of  the  questions  involved,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  various  interests  to  be  harmonized  in  order  to  reach 
a uniform  scale. 

It  is  expected  that  all  the  prices  and  conditions  shall  be 
strictly  adhered  to  by  both  operators  and  miners. 

Signed : S.  M.  Dalzell,  Chairman. 

T.  L.  Lewis,  Secretary. 

Committee  on  behalf  of  operators : 

Illinois — S.  M.  Dalzell  and  A.  Moorshead. 

Indiana  Bituminous — Jos.  H.  McClelland  and  P.  H.  Penna. 

Indiana  Block — W.  W.  Risher. 

Ohio — J.  S.  Morton  and  W.  J.  Mullins. 

Pennsylvania — G.  W.  Schluederberg  and  John  A.  O’Neil. 

Committee  on  behalf  of  miners : 

Illinois — John  M.  Hunter  and  W.  D.  Ryan. 

Indiana  Block — Barney  Navin. 

Indiana  Bituminous — J.  H.  Kennedy  and  W.  G.  Knight. 

Ohio — W.  E.  Farms  and  T.  L.  Lewis. 

Pennsylvania — P.  Dolan  and  Wm.  Warner. 

On  behalf  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America : 

M.  D.  Ratchford,  President. 

W.  C.  Pearce,  Secretary. 

JOINT  AGREEMENT — DISTRICT  12. 

Springfield,  Illinois,  March  10,  1899. 

We,  your  joint  scale  committee,  appointed  by  the  miners’ 
and  operators’  convention,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  beg  leave  to 
offer  the  following  report : 

First:  That  we  hereby  ratify  the  Pittsburg  agreement, 

carrying  with  it  the  Columbus  and  Springfield  agreement  as 
modified,  with  the  understanding  that  the  mines  are  to  remain 
at  work  for  the  scale  year  ending  March  31,  1900. 

Second.  That  the  board  of  arbitration,  as  provided  for 


810 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


in  the  Pittsburg  agreement,  namely,  three  (3)  miners  and 
three  (3)  operators,  the  six  (6)  to  select  a seventh  (7th) 
shall  be  appointed  by  this  convention  to  arbitrate  the  ma- 
chine differential  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  question  to  be 
arbitrated  being  whether  or  not  the  various  districts  of  Illi- 
nois are  entitled  to  any  reduction  in  the  Springfield  scale 
differentials  as  against  Danville,  the  basing  point;  and,  if  so, 
how  much. 

Third.  That  where  in  any  district  discrepancies  exist  be- 
tween the  various  mines  of  that  district  in  narrow  and  de- 
ficient work,  and  it  is  desired  by  the  miners  or  operators  of 
that  district  to  adjust  uniformly  the  prices  for  narrow  and 
deficient  work  in  that  district,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said 
operators  and  miners  to  appoint  a joint  committee  for  that 
purpose;  and  when  so  adjusted  it  shall  remain  in  force  until 
the  end  of  the  scale  year. 

Fourth.  That  there  shall  be  appointed  a committee  of 
operators  and  miners,  representing  the  various  contract  dis- 
tricts, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  investigate  the  conditions  in 
each  and  every  mine  and  district  in  this  state  and  report  to  a 
joint  convention  of  miners  and  operators,  to  be  called  prior 
to  January  1 next,  the  data  gathered  by  such  committee  to 
be  used  in  formulating  a scale  for  the  various  districts  of 
Illinois,  and  that  it  is  the  sense  of  this  convention  that  the 
miners  and  operators  after  arriving  at  a local  scale  for  Illinois 
be  prepared  to  stand  for  the  same  terms  and  conditions  in  all 
of  the  four  (4)  competitive  states. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  demonstrate  by 
all  practical  means  the  relative  conditions  existing  through- 
out the  entire  State  of  Illinois,  as  against  the  competitive 
states. 

Fifth.  That  we,  as  operators,  will  recognize  the  pit  com- 
mittee and  will  agree  to  check-off  all  dues  and  assessments 
from  all  miners  and  mine  laborers,  when  desired;  and  the 
United  Mine  Workers  agree  to  protect  operators  where  such 
checking  is  done. 

Sixth.  It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  the  arbitration 
above  mentioned  does  not  apply  to  shearing,  or  air,  or  elec- 
tric drilling  machines ; but  this  does  not  prevent,  by  separate 
board  of  arbitration,  the  adjustment  of  a rate  for  shearing 
machines  in  the  event  of  the  miners  and  operators  in  the 
local  districts  not  agreeing. 

Seventh.  That  the  operators  and  the  representatives  of 
the  outside  labor  meet  in  each  scale  or  contract  district  prior 
to  April  1,  1899,  for  the  purpose  of  formulating  a uniform 
price  for  outside  labor,  and  where  it  is  mutually  agreed  upon 


Ohio  Joint  Agreements,  1899 


811 


that  the  representatives  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  assist 
in  making  that  scale. 

Eighth.  It  is  also  agreed  that  where  day  men  wish  to 
change  to  room  work  there  shall  be  no  unjust  discrimination 
against  them;  and  that  no  miner  shall  be  unreasonably  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  room  and  do  company  work. 

Ninth.  That  where  coal  is  shot  off  solid  by  the  use  of 
electric  or  air  drills,  the  price  paid  for  such  work  shall  be 
38  cents  per  ton,  based  on  40  cents  per  ton  hand  mining. 
The  miner  to  furnish  all  supplies,  the  operator  to  furnish 
and  keep  drill  or  drills  in  repair. 

ILLINOIS  COAL  OPERATORS’  ASSOCIATION, 

S.  H.  Dalzell,  President. 

C.  L.  SCROGGS,  Secretary. 

UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  ILLINOIS, 

J.  M.  Hunter,  President. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary. 

OPERATORS’  COMMITTEE, 

H.  N.  Taylor. 

Chas.  E.  Hull. 

MINERS’  COMMITTEE, 

Edward  Cahill. 

Wm.  Hefti. 

Joseph  Pope,  Secretary. 

UNITED  MINE  WORKERS  OF  AMERICA, 

John  Mitchell,  National  President. 

OHIO  OPERATORS  SIGN. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  March  16,  1899. 

The  Ohio  operators  signed  the  Pittsburg  agreement.  An 
all-day  conference  was  held,  at  which  the  miners  were  rep- 
resented by  National  President  Mitchell,  National  Secretary 
Pearce  and  State  President  Haskins.  The  operators  were  rep- 
resented by  J.  S.  Morton,  Thomas  Johnson,  C.  L.  Poston,  S.  A. 
McManigal,  T.  W.  Guthrie  and  F.  S.  Brooks.  The  miners  held 
out  firmly  for  the  Pittsburg  agreement,  and  the  operators 
were  unable  to  gain  the  slightest  concession.  The  operators 
contended  that  under  the  terms  of  the  Chicago  agreement, 
which  was  renewed  by,  the  Pittsburg  conference,  the  prices 
in  the  Pittsburg  disrict  were  to  be  the  same  as  those  in  the 
Hocking  Valley.  This  part  of  the  agreement  had  not  been 
fulfilled,  they  urged,  since  the  price  for  run  of  mine  in  the 


812 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Pittsburg  district  was  5 cents  below  the  price  fixed  for  the 
Hocking  Valley.  It  was  upon  this  point  that  the  operators 
based  a protest  in  signing  the  scale,  claiming  that  it  was  an 
injustice  to  them. 

The  prices  fixed  for  the  next  year  in  Ohio  are  66  cents 
per  ton  for  screened  coal  and  47  1-7  cents  for  run  of  mine. 
The  agreement  dates  from  April  1. 


CAMBRIDGE  JOINT  AGREEMENT. 

Cambridge,  Ohio,  March  17,  1899. 

Joint  meeting  of  operators  and  miners  held  in  this  city 
in  Trades  Assembly  hall,  called  to  order  by  Sub-district  Presi- 
dent James  M.  Stewart. 

Motion  made  and  carried  that  James  M.  Stewart  act  as 
chairman  and  C.  C.  Henderson  as  secretary. 

The  joint  committee  of  five  operators  and  five  miners  con- 
curred in  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted  as 
read: 

Resolved,  That  on  and  after  April  1,  1899,  eight  hours  shall 
constitute  a day’s  work,  and  all  mines  may  operate  six  days 
per  week. 

Resolved,  That  on  and  after  April  1,  1899,  the  mines  of 
this  district  shall  begin  work  at  6 :30  a.  m.,  work  until  10 :30 
a.  m.,  taking  one  hour  for  noon,  and  beginning  at  11 :30  a.  m., 
continue  until  3 :30  p-  m.,  until  April  1,  1900. 

Resolved,  That,  on  and  after  April  1,  1899,  all  machines 
shall  be  fitted  with  front  shoe  not  to  exceed  2%  inches  in 
thickness,  and  machine  men  be  required  to  cut  coal  level,  and 
close  to  bottom  as  possible;  and  in  no  case  shall  thickness 
of  bottom  exceed  4 inches,  except  in  case  of  “pots”  or  other 
extreme  variations,  and  all  machine  men  leaving  more  bottom 
than  above  must  lift  same,  or  it  shall  be  lifted  at  his  expense; 
and  in  case  of  sprags  being  left  by  a machine  man  that  he 
be  notified  by  loader,  and  if  he  refuse  to  remove  the  same,  that 
the  loader  remove  the  sprag  and  be  allowed  50  cents  each  for 
so  doing.  Said  50  cents  to  be  deducted  from  machine  runner, 
and  where  any  machine  man  leaves  six  or  more  sprags  in  any 
one  pay  he  shall  be  removed  from  machine,  and  his  service 
disposed  of  as  deemed  best  by  general  superintendent. 

Resolved,  That  no  miner  be  permitted  to  load  double  turn 
or  free  turn  under  any  circumstances. 

Resolved,  That  so  far  as  possible  all  machine  loaders  be 
accorded  two  rooms  for  each  two  men,  and  the  operators 
pledge  themselves  to  provide  two  rooms  for  two  men  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment. 


Joint  Agreement  District  12, 1899 


813 


Resolved,  That  we  pay  1%  cents  per  $1.00  for  smithing 
in  pickwork  and  nothing  for  machine  loading. 

Accepted  and  signed  on  beha,lf  of  operators : 

The  Wells  Creek  Coal  Co.,  N.  0.  Gray. 

JAS.  W.  Elsworth  Coal  Co.,  W.  H.  Davis,  Gen.  Supt. 
The  Opperman  Coal  Co.,  By  J.  Opperman. 

Pioneer  Coal  Co.,  W.  H.  Davis. 

The  Loomis-Moss  Coal  Co. 

For  the  miners : 

James  M.  Stewart,  President. 

C.  C.  Henderson,  Secretary-Treasurer.  ' 

JOINT  AGREEMENT  SUB-DISTRICT  1,  DISTRICT  12. 

Coal  City,  Illinois,  March  23,  1899. 

Agreement  entered  into  this  day  between  the  representa- 
tives of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  party  of  the 
first  part,  and  the  undersigned  operators  of  the  Wilmington 
coal  field,  known  as  Sub-district  No.  1,  party  of  the  second 
part,  in  joint  convention  assembled,  towit; 

1.  That  the  household  coal  supplied  to  workmen  shall 
be  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  and  thirty-five  cents  per  ton  of 
2,000  pounds  at  the  mines,  and  the  miners  to  have  the  option 
of  sending  any  teamster  for  their  coal. 

2.  Houses  owned  by  the  companies  shall  be  rented  to 
mine  workers  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  room  per  month. 

3.  That  the  companies  agree  to  furnish  the  necessary 
props,  cap-pieces  and  rails  at  the  room  face. 

4.  That  the  tool  sharpener  shall  be  on  duty  to  sharpen 
all  tools  during  the  working  hours  of  each  shift. 

5.  That  all  pit  cars  be  put  in  proper  condition. 

6.  That  when  a man  has  to  leave  his  work  he  shall  be 
hoisted  out  of  said  shaft  when  there  is  no  coal  at  the  shaft 
bottom. 

7.  That  no  coal  be  hoisted  after  the  shaft  quits  except  in 
actual  case  of  emergency.  This  will  not  interfere  with  the 
hoisting  of  coal  by  the  night  shift. 

8.  That  in  case  of  any  local  trouble  arising  at  any  shaft 
the  pit  committee  and  the  pit  boss  of  said  shaft  shall  be  em- 
powered to  adjust  such  grievances,  and  in  case  of  their  dis- 
agreement it  shall  be  referred  to  the  superintendent  of  the 
company  and  the  president  of  their  local  union;  but  should 
they  fail  to  adjust  the  matter  pending,  the  case  or  cases  shall 
be  referred  to  the  officials  of  the  company  concerned  and  the 
state  officers  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  in  writ- 
ing, for  adjustment,  and  in  all  cases  the  miners  and  the  parties 
involved  must  continue  to  work  pending  investigation  and  an 


814 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


adjustment  until  a final  decision  is  reached  in  the  manner 
above  set  forth. 

9.  That  men  drivers  be  paid  the  scale  price  of  one  dollar 
and  seventy-five  cents  and  all  below  this  scale  shall  receive  an 
advance  of  5 cents  per  day  over  present  prices. 

10.  That  the  companies  furnish  suitable  conveyances  and 
bandages  for  the  removal  of  injured  workmen  from  the  shaft 
to  their  homes. 

11.  That  all  miners  be  allowed  their  turn  of  empty  cars 
to  load  dirt  in  the  daytime. 

12.  That  rolls  and  deficient  work  be  settled  by  the  pit 
boss  and  men  involved  and  if  performed  by  the  shift,  scale 
prices  shall  be  paid. 

13.  That  all  outside  laborers  receive  an  advance  of  5 cents 
per  day  of  eight  hours  over  present  prices  paid. 

14.  That  a heading  in  the  Wilmin^on  field  shall  be  known 
as  a road  driven  in  the  solid  and  putting  in  rooms  at  regular 
intervals,  but  does  not  cut  off  rooms. 

15.  That  a cross  road  in  the  Wilmington  field  shall  be 
known  as  a road  driven  across  the  working  face  of  rooms, 
cutting  them  off  and  putting  them  in  anew. 

16.  That  a straight  place  in  the  Wilmington  field  shall  be 
known  as  a road  from  which  only  cross  roads  and  headings, 
as  above  described,  are  turned,  and  shall  not  be  paid  extra 
tonnage. 

17.  That  in  cases  where  it  is  necessary  to  turn  one  room 
off  another  room  (other  than  a cross  road,  heading  or  straight 
place),  cross  road  prices  shall  not  be  paid;  but  providing  that 
it  is  necessary  to  turn  another  room  off  room  so  turned,  it 
shall  then  be  declared  a cross  road,  and  be  paid  extra  tonnage 
as  such  from  second  switch  cross  roads  and  headings  as 
above  described,  to  be  paid  nine  (9)  cents  per  ton  extra,  and 
turning  a branch  and  putting  in  a shanty  complete,  four  dol- 
lars and  fifty  cents  ($4.50)  shall  be  paid,  and  also  when  last 
room  on  any  cross  road  or  heading  shall  have  been  turned  the 
extra  tonnage  shall  cease. 

18.  That  in  cases  where  sulphur  balls.  Black  Jack  or  other 
impurities  are  sent  up  by  a miner,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
trimmer  on  the  car  to  call  the  attention  of  the  checkweighman 
and  weigh  boss  to  the  same;  if  the  amount  of  impurities  of 
any  kind  is  small  the  miner  shall  be  notified  by  the  weigh 
boss  and  checkweighman,  also  marking  sulphur  on  the  sheet. 

The  second  time  the  miner  sends  up  unmarketable  coal  he 
shall  be  docked  the  whole  car  and  the  proceeds  of  the  same 
shall  be  paid  to  the  Miners’  Accident  Association,  provided, 
after  this  second  offense  the  miner  continues  to  send  up  im- 
purities, the  weighman  and  checkman  shall  notify  the  superin- 


Joint  Agreement  Indiana,  1899 


815 


tendent  of  the  company  and  the  miner  shall  be  discharged. 

This  agreement  to  be  in  force  April  1,  1899,  and  shall  con- 
tinue until  and  including  March  31,  1900, 

Operators’  Committee: 

Big  4 Wilmington  Coal  Co., 

H.  N.  Taylor,  General  Manager. 

Wm.'Harkes. 

Wilmington  Coal  Mining  and  Mfg.  Co., 

Jas.  Dalzell,  Treasurer. 

Star  Coal  Company  of  Streator,  III., 

C.  H.  Rathbun,  Secretary. 

Chicago,  Wilmington  and  Vermillion  Coal  Co., 

A.  L.  Sweet,  President. 

Wilmington  Star  Mining  Co., 

M.  D.  Buchanan,  President. 

Braceville  Coal  Co., 

B.  Wightman,  Superintendent. 

Wm.  Maltby. 

Miners : 

Percival  CbARK,  President  Sub-district  Board 

No.  1 of  District  12,  U.  M,  W.  of  A. 

J.  W.  Anderson,  Secretary  Sub-district  Board 

No.  1. 

William  E.  Smith,  Member  of  State  Executive 

Board  of  Illinois. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 

U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  MINERS  AND  OPERATORS  OF  DISTRICT 

NO.  11,  1899. 

The  following  agreement  entered  into  in  the  joint  state 
convention  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  March  29,  1899,  by  and 
between  the  bituminous  operators  and  miners  of  the  state, 
witnesseth : 

First — That  the  declaration  of  the  contract  by  and  between 
the  operators  of  the  competitive  coal  fields  and  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  entered  into  at  Chicago,  Illinois, 
January  26,  1898,  and  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  March  10,  1898, 
and  re-affirmed  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  January  24,  1899,  be  and 


816 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


hereby  are,  re-affirmed  in  the  identical  terms  therein  em- 
ployed. 

Second — That  further  details  and  scale  of  prices  for  pick 
and  machine  mining  in  the  State  of  Indiana  for  one  year, 
beginning  April  1,  1899,  shall  be  as  follows : 

PICK  MINING. 

Yardage — In  entries  7 to  9 feet  wide,  $1.37 ; in  entries 
12  feet,  price  shall  be  five-eighths  of  narrow  work,  or  851/2 
cents.  Wide  entries  shall  not  exceed  12  feet,  it  being  under- 
stood that  this  applies  to  entry  work  only. 

Break-throughs — Break-throughs  in  entries  shall  be  paid 
for  at  entry  price.  Break-throughs  between  rooms,  when 
sheared  or  blocked,  shall  be  paid  for  at  entry  price,  but  no 
break-throughs  shall  be  driven  without  the  consent  of  the 
operator.  Nothing  herein  shall  interfere  with  strict  compli- 
ance with  the  law  governing  break-throughs. 

Room  Turning — Room  turning,  $3.30.  Room  necks  to  be 
driven  12  feet  in,  and  widened  at  an  agle  of  45  degrees,  when 
so  desired  by  operator.  Any  distance  in  excess  of  above  shall 
be  paid  for  proportionately. 

MACHINE  WORK. 

Yardage — In  entries  7 to  9 feet  wide,  98  cents ; in  entries  12 
feet,  five-eighths  of  price  for  narrow  entries,  or  61  cents. 
When  the  machine  runners  in  12-foot  entries  are  paid  by  the 
day,  and  entry  is  not  sheared,  the  shooters  and  loaders  shall 
be  paid  two-thirds  of  the  yardage.  It  is  understood  that  this 
applies  to  entry  work  only. 

Break-throughs — Break-throughs  between  entries,  same  as 
entry  price.  Break-throughs  between  rooms  shall  be  paid  for 
at  entry  price  when  similarly  driven.  This  applies  to  width 
and  not  to  methc^l  of  mining. 

Room  Turning — Room  turning,  $2,471^.  Room  necks  to 
be  driven  12  feet  in  and  widened  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees, 
when  so  desired  by  operators.  Any  distance  in  excess  of  the 
above  shall  be  paid  for  proportionately.  When  room  necks 
are  driven  12  feet  wide  price  shall  be  five-eighths  of  regular 
price,  or  $1.54%. 

Day  Work  Punching  Machines — Machine  cutting,  when 
paid  for  by  the  day,  shall  be  for  cutter,  $2.35 ; helper,  $1.85. 

Day  Work  Chain  or  Cutter  Bar  Machine — When  paid  by 
the  day  shall  be ; Cutter,  $2.35 ; helper,  $2.11.  It  being  under- 
stood that  a day’s  work  shall  not  be  less  than  twenty-seven 
cuts.  All  cuts  in  excess  of  twenty-seven  shall  be  paid  for 
proportionately. 


Joint  Agreement  Indiana,  1899 


817 


Price  Per  Ton  for  Machine  Mining — When  paid  for  by  the 
ton  the  price  of  coal  mined  with  machines  shall  be  three- 
quarters  of  the  price  paid  for  pich-mined  coal,  or  49i/2  cents. 
The  prices  per  ton  after  chain  machines  shall  remain  the  same 
at  the  respective  mines  during  the  year  ending  April  1, 
1899. 

Blacksmithing — The  price  of  blacksmithing  shall  be  one 
and  one-quarter  cents  on  the  dollar,  excepting  after  chain 
machines,  where  no  blacksmithing  shall  be  charged. 

GENERAL. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  if  any  differences  arise  between 
the  operators  and  the  miners  at  any  pit,  a settlement  shall  be 
arrived  at  without  stopping  work.  If  the  parties  immediately 
affected  can  not  reach  an  adjustment  between  themselves,  the 
question  shall  be  referred  without  delay  to  a board  of  arbitra- 
tion consisting  of  two  operators  selected  by  the  operators  in- 
terested and  two  miners  selected  by  District  No.  11,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America-  In  event  of  those  four  being 
unable  to  reach  a decision,  they  shall  select  a fifth  man,  and  the 
decision  of  a board  so  constituted  shall  be  final,  but  no  miner 
or  operator  interested  in  the  differences  shall  be  a member 
of  said  board. 

That  where  the  coal  is  paid  for  mine-run  or  on  screened 
coal  basis,  it  shall  be  mined  in  a careful,  workmanlike  manner, 
and  when  loaded  on  the  miner’s  car  it  shall,  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible, be  free  from  slate,  bone  coal,  sulphur  and  other  im- 
purities. 

Payment  for  all  labor  shall  be  made  twice  a month,  not 
later  than  the  10th  and  25th  of  each  month. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  operators  shall  offer  no  ob- 
jection to  the  check-off  for  checkweighman  and  for  dues  for 
the  federation,  provided  that  no  check-off  shall  be  made  against 
any  person  until  he  shall  have  first  given  his  consent  in  writ- 
ing to  his  employer.  This  applies  to  all  underground  day 
work,  as  well  as  miners. 

The  time  of  beginning  work  in  the  morning  and  the  length 
of  intermission  at  noon  shall  be  considered  a local  question. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved,  That  while  the  number  of  stoppages  for  various 
causes  during  the  past  year  has  decreased,  it  is  still  the  opinion 
of  both  miners  and  operators  that  sufficient  attention  has  not 
been  paid  by  either  side’ to  the  agreement — ^“that  if  any  differ- 
ences arise  between  the  operators  and  the  miners  at  any  pit 
a settlement  shall  be  arrived  at  without  stopping  of  work.” 


818 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


It  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  both  miners  and  operators  that 
this  agreement  should  be  strictly  observed  by  both.  We  wish 
particularly  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  all  such  differ- 
ences, even  in  the  event  of  stoppage,  have  been  settled  by 
arbitration  and  work  resumed,  and  had  the  agreement  been 
strictly  observed,  these  stoppages  would  not  have  occurred, 
the  same  settlement  would  have  been  secured,  and  both  miners 
and  operators  would  have  been  saved  the  heavy  losses  caused 
by  these  stoppages. 

That  these  resolutions  be  compiled  in  the  form  of  a con- 
tract, and  signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America,  representing  District  No.  11,  and 
the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Bituminous  Coal  Opera- 
tors’ Association  of  Indiana,  that  they  be  printed  and  a copy 
sent  to  each  and  every  mine  and  posted. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names 
this  30th  day  of  March,  1899. 

W.  D.  Van  Horn,  President, 

United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  District  11. 

Attest : J.  H.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

J.  Smith  Talley,  President, 
Bituminous  Coal  Operators’  Association  of  Indiana. 

Attest:  J.  W.  Landrum,  Secretary. 


BEAVER  VALLEY,  PITTSBURG  DISTRICT,  SCALE. 

April  1st,  1899  to  March  31st,  1900,  agreed  to  at  joint  con- 
ference of  operators  and  miners. 

Wampum,  May  10,  1899. 


One  inch  screen  coal,  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds $0.71 

Run  of  mine,  per  ton  of  2,000  pounds •47  1-3 

Entries  7 feet  wide,  coal  to  company,  per  yard 2.50 

Wet  entries,  7 feet  wide,  coal  to  company,  per  yard,  extra .25 

Double  shift  entries,  7 feet  wide,  coal  to  company,  per  yard,  extra .25 

Air  courses,  where  bottom  is  taken  up,  per  yard 1.00 

Air  courses,  where  bottom  is  not  taken  up,  per  yard .75 

Room-turning,  neck  not  to  exceed  21  feet 3.00 

Break-throughs  between  rooms,  per  yard .65 

Where  bone  coal  comes  do^\^l  from  1%  to  6 inches  in  thickness, 

extra  per  ton  -05 

Pick  sharpening  shall  be,  per  ton — -01 


Ingersoll  Machine  Scale one-inch  screen 

Undercutting  in  rooms,  per  ton -16  1-4 

Loading  in  rooms,  per  ton -35  1-2 

Undercutting,  all  narrow  work,  jjer  ton 16  9-10  and  20c  per  yard  extra 

Loading,  all  narrow  work,  per  ton -45  1-2 

Narrow  work  includes  entries,  air  courses,  room-turning  and  break-throughs. 


Joint  Agreement,  Tennessee,  1899 


819 


Signed  by  Operators : 


H.  K.  Hartsuff, 
Matthew  Gunton, 
R.  H.  Mehard. 


Miners’  Committee : 


Sam  Frye, 
A.  S.  Hill, 


Hugh  Jackson, 


Dan  F.  Lutz, 
Alex.  Young, 
Wm.  Condron, 


Geo.  Galbreath, 
R.  McMillan, 

Approved  May  11,  1899:  P.  Dolan,  President, 

Wm.  Dodds,  Sec.-Treas., 
District  No.  5,  U.  M.  W.  of  A. 

JOINT  CONVENTION,  COAL  CREEK,  TENNESSEE. 


Convention  called  to  order  with  President  T.  J.  Smith  in 
chair. 

T.  J.  Smith  was  elected  chairman  of  joint  convention. 
J.  R.  Wooldridge  was  elected  secretary  of  operators;  J.  S.  Mc- 
Cracken was  elected  secretary  of  miners. 

By  motion  Major  E.  C.  Camp  was  allowed  the  floor  to  read 
his  document  on  Coal  Creek  conditions,  which  paper  was 
tabled  by  convention. 

The  scale  was  read.  On  motion  the  chair  appointed  Col. 
T.  H.  Heald,  Hywell  Davies  and  W.  T.  Lewis  as  scale  commit- 
tee for  operators,  to  meet  miners’  scale  committee. 

Convention  adjourned. 


Convention  called  to  order  at  2 p.  m.  by  chair. 

Operators’  proposition  was  presented  to  convention,  which 
referred  back  to  scale  committee  for  their  further  consid- 
eration. 

Convention  was  declared  adjourned  till  8 p.  m.  by  chair- 


Called  to  order  by  Chairman  Smith. 

Scale  committee  reported.  Operators  offered  a 10  per  cent 


July  27,  1899. 


AFTERNOON  SESSION. 


man. 


NIGHT  SESSION. 


820 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


advance  all  round,  with  a further  advance  of  2^  per  cent — 
advance  to  be  left  to  arbitration. 

Moved  and  carried,  that  we  accept  the  advance  of  10  per 
cent,  all  round,  and  leave  2i/2  per  cent  to  arbitration. 

Moved  that  the  vote  be  made  unanimous. 

Carried. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  Operators : 

Col.  T.  H.  Heald, 

W.  T.  Lewis. 

Hywell  Davies, 

J.  R.  Wooldridge,  Secretary. 

For  the  Miners: 

J.  W.  Howe. 

W.  K.  Smith. 

Joe  Woods. 

G.  W.  Eustler. 

H.  G.  Bryant. 

J.  S.  Bell,  Dist.  Ex.  Board  Member. 

W.  R.  Fairley,  Natl.  Ex.  Bd.  Member. 

T.  J.  Smith,  Pres.,  District  19. 

J.  S.  McCracken,  Secy.-Treas. 

Convention  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  last  Thursday  in 
July,  1900,  to  formulate  a new  scale. 

T.  J.  Smith,  Chairman. 

J.  S.  McCracken,  Secy,  for  Miners. 

J.  R.  Wooldridge,  Secy,  for  Operators. 

LATER  AGREEMENT  OF  ARBITRATORS. 

We,  the  undersigned  arbitrators,  appointed  by  the  Coal 
Creek  convention,  hereby  agree  to  grant  the  additional  2i/^ 
per  cent,  making  a total  advance  of  twelve  and  one-half  (12%) 
per  cent  on  the  price  in  effect  before  the  said  Coal  Creek  con- 
vention went  into  effect,  August  1,  1899. 

This  modification  regarding  the  date  of  said  2%  per  cent 
going  into  effect  November  1,  1899,  is  mutually  agreed  in 
order  to  dispense  with  the  necessity  of  submitting  the  case  to 
a referee. 

T.  H.  Heald. 

Hywell  Davies, 


Joint  Agreement  at  Witt,  Illinois 


821 


Approved:  Arthur  Groves,  Secretary. 

M.  S.  Elliott. 

Joe  Vasey,. 

J.  S.  McCracken,  Secy.-Treas.  Dist.  19. 
W.  R.  Fairley,  Natl.  Board  Member, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

Respectfully  yours, 

J.  S.  McCracken. 


JOINT  AGREEMENT  IN  DISTRICT  2,  1899. 

It  is  hereby  understood  and  agreed  by  and  between  the 
officers  representing  the  Central  Pennsylvania  mining  district, 
being  designated  as  District  No.  2,  and  the  operators  of  the 
Beech  Creek  region;  that  in  consideration  of  the  said  opera- 
tors paying  on  the  1st  of  August,  1899,  and  thereafter,  five- 
ninths  (5-9)  for  loading  after  machines  of  the  present  pick 
mining  price,  that  is,  fifty  (50)  cents  per  gross  ton  for  pick 
mining  and  twenty-seven  and  one-half  (271/2)  cents  per  gross 
ton  for  loading  after  machines. 

This  basis  of  prices  it  is  hereby  agreed  on  the  part  of  the 
officers  of  the  said  Central  Pennsylvania  Mining  District  No. 
2,  shall  continue  for  one  year  from  the  1st  day  of  August,  1899, 
and  be  binding  upon  the  miners  and  operators  of  the  Beech 
Creek  region  when  signed  by  the  operators  and  ratified  by  the 
several  bank  committees  located  at  each  of  the  mines  involved 
in  this  agreement,  and  no  operator  shall  be  bound  to  pay  this 
price  unless  this  agreement  is  accepted  and  ratified  by  the 
bank  committees  at  each  mine. 

It  being  further  understood  that  if  all  the  machine  opera- 
tors in  said  region  do  not  consent  to  this  agreement  by  the  1st 
of  August,  1899,  as  to  the  remainder  of  the  machine  operators 
who  continue  and  carry  out  the  terms  implied  herein,  this  con- 
tract shall  in  that  event  not  extend  longer  than  April  1,  1900, 
but  if  signed  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  August  next,  then  to 
continue  one  year  as  stated  above. 

William  B.  Wilson. 

Bernard  Rice. 

Richard  Gilbert. 

The  Bloomington  Mining  Co.,  by  Rembrant  Peale,  G.  M. 

Sommerville  & Buchanan. 

Pardee  Collieries,  per  W.  C.  L. 

Patton  Coal  Co.,  per  Jas.  Kerr,  President. 

Duncan  & Spangler. 

Clearfield,  Pennsylvania,  July  3,  1899. 


822 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


JOINT  AGREEMENT  AT  WITT,  ILLINOIS, 


This  agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  23rd  day  of 
August,  1899,  between  the  Montgomery  Coal  Company  and 
the  United  Mine  Workers,  witnesseth: 

The  Montgomery  Coal  Company  hereby  agrees  to  recog- 
nize the  United  Mine  Workers  and  agrees  to  pay  the  scale  as 
provided  for  in  the  several  agreements  made  for  the  year  end- 
ing March  31,  1900,  and  covering  the  district  where  the  mine 
of  the  first  party  is  located. 

Also  for  outside  labor  as  follows: 

Dumpers,  $1.75;  dumpers’  helpers,  $1.50;  firemen,  $1.75; 
blacksmiths,  $2.00;  blacksmith’s  helpers,  $1.75;  head  car 
trimmer,  $1.75;  head  car  trimmer’s  helper,  $1.50;  yard  men, 
$1.50 ; all  other  unskilled  labor,  $1.50. 

The  following  to  be  paid  for  narrow  work : 

Width,  feet  Price,  per  yard 


All  entries  over  12  feet  and  up  to  18  feet,  inclusive,  shall 
decrease  at  the  ratio  of  71/2  cents  per  foot. 

That  no  miner  or  other  person  shall  shoot  any  coal  by  the 
day  and  all  miners  shall  shoot  and  load  their  own  coal. 

That  all  cross  cuts  shall  be  paid  the  same  yardage  as  entry 
work,  and  there  shall  be  a track  put  in  cross  cuts  when  de- 
sired by  the  person  doing  the  same.  That  a miner  shall  re- 
ceive 25  cents  for  every  cross  bar  he  puts  up. 

That  all  dead  work  shall  be  paid  for  per  hour  as  provided 
in  the  Pittsburg  agreement. 

That  the  price  of  powder  shall  be  $1.75  per  keg  and  45 
cents  per  gallon  for  oil. 

The  company  agrees  to  pay  their  employes  semi-monthljL 
viz. : The  first  and  fifteenth  of  each  month,  and  when  pay  day 
falls  on  Sunday  the  employes  will  be  paid  the  preceding  Sat- 
urday or  the  following  Monday,  the  company  to  hold  only  fif- 
teen days’  pay  back  at  any  time. 

The  company  will  take  back  in  its  employ  all  the  men  who 
were  in  the  employ  on  the  31st  of  March,  1899. 

And  it  is  agreed  that  the  company  shall  be  allowed  to  take 
back  into  its  employ  all  day  men  on  top  who  were  in  its  em- 
ploy on  March  31st,  provided  said  day  men  will  consent  to 
join  the  local  union  and  the  said  Miners’  Union  agrees  to 
admit  said  employes  on  proper  application. 

Any  miner  or  other  employe  absenting  himself  from  his 


6 

8 

10 

12 


$1.68% 

1.533/4 

1.38 

1.23 


Anthracite  Wage  Agreement,  1899 


823 


regular  employment  for  two  days  in  succession  without  suffi- 
cient cause  shall  be  liable  to  discharge. 

The  miners  shall  load  their  coal  free  from  rock,  sulphur 
and  other  foreign  matter  as  far  as  possible.  Three  successive 
violations  of  this  rule  will  render  the  party  liable  to  discharge. 

The  work  in  the  mine  shall  be  done  according  to  the  direc- 
tions given  by  the  pit  boss  and  under  his  immediate  super- 
vision and  control. 

The  pit  committee  shall  be  composed  of  men  actually  em- 
ployed in  the  mine. 

The  Montgomery  Coal  Co., 

Per  G.  W.  Parsley,  Supt. 

John  M.  Hunter,  State  President, 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 

W.  R.  Russell,  Vice-President. 

W.  D.  Ryan,  Secretary. 

ANTHRACITE  WAGE  AGREEMENT,  DECEMBER  11,  1899. 

Schedule  of  prices  and  wages  agreed  upon  by  the  manager 
and  superintendent  of  the  Susquehanna  Coal  Company  and 
committee  of  employees. 

Coal  and  Goal  Measurements. 

Section  1.  Size  of  car  (same  as  before)  with  six  inches 
of  topping  at  the  breaker  making  a total  of  ninety  cubic  feet 
of  coal  to  the  Nanticoke  car  and  ninety-six  cubic  feet  to  the 
Glen  Lyon  car.  Price  of  car  $1.20  and  $1.02.  Check  docking 
boss  be  allowed  and  to  be  paid  by  the  workmen.  A gauge  to  be 
erected  to  determine  the  height  of  car.  The  check  docking 
boss  shall  have  the  power  to  shop  all  cars  that  are  out  of  shape 
and  also  agreed  that  the  company  will  put  a cross  bar  on  the 
cars,  if  they,  after  investigation  with  a committee  of  em- 
ployees, deem  it  advisable.  500  pounds  rock  or  slate  to  be  al- 
lowed in  car  without  the  miner  being  stopped,  and  miner  to 
be  stopped  one  day  for  each  100  pounds  over  the  500. 

Plugs. 

Sec.  2.  Agreed  to  pay  ten  cents  a car  extra  after  a plug  is 
driven  thirty  feet  and  whenever  the  company  can  to  their  and 
miners’  advantage  they  will  put  in  a road,  and  where  the  con- 
ditions are  such  that  it  is  impossible  to  make  a day’s  wages 
the  company  is  willing  to  make  a fair  allowance  for  the  same. 

Gangways. 

Sec.  3.  Twelve  to ’fourteen  feet  wide,  $2.54  per  yard; 
over  fourteen  to  eighteen  feet,  $1.97  per  yard ; breasts  under 
twenty-four  feet  but  over  eighteen,  $1.00  per  yard. 


824 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Cross  Headings. 

Sec.  4.  Cross  headings  shall  be  driven  between  chute 
breasts.  Cross  headings,  $1.97  per  yard. 

Rock  Measurements. 

Sec.  1.  Top  and  bottom  rock  in  Red  Ash  ten  cents  per 
lineal  yard  for  every  inch  in  thickness  (sand  rock  excepted) 
all  other  veins  seven  and  one-half  cents  per  lineal  yard  for 
every  inch  in  thickness  (sand  rock  excepted). 

Sec.  2.  Bony  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  judgment 
of  the  bosses. 

Rock  Cleaning  and  Unloading. 

Section  1.  Cleaning  gob,  thirty-five  cents  per  lineal  yard, 
where  extra  heavy  will  be  paid  accordingly ; if  not  satisfactory 
the  company  will  clean  it. 

Sec.  2.  Unloading  rock,  twenty-five  cents  per  car,  and  if 
not  satisfactory  to  the  miner,  company  hands  will  unload  it. 

Sec.  3.  Where  directed  to  load  rock  in  cars  miner  to  be 
paid  twenty-five  cents  for  each  and  every  car. 

Timber  Props  and  Chutes. 

Section  1.  Propping  and  lagging  and  extra  propping, 
forty-four  cents  per  prop. 

Sec.  2.  Gangway  timbers,  $2.54  per  set;  branch  timber 
where  collar  is  fourteen  feet  long,  $5.08 ; breast  timber,  $1.81 
per  set;  branch  timber  in  breast  fourteen  feet  long,  $3.62  per 
set;  flats,  $1.32.  Cogging  to  be  judged  as  to  its  value. 

Sec.  3.  Platforms  to  be  built  by  company  hands;  chutes 
twenty-five  cents  per  length  of  sheet  iron. 


Miscellaneous. 

Section  1.  Laying  road  outside  of  miner’s  place,  twenty- 
five  cents  per  yard.  Where  company  can  get  tracklayers  to 
lay  road  they  will  do  so. 

Sec.  2.  The  miner  will  keep  his  road  in  repair  from  the 
last  plug  in. 

Sec.  3.  Company  to  contract  with  miner  for  cleaning 
caves  or  pay  a day’s  wages  for  the  same. 

Sec.  4.  Not  more  than  one  miner  shall  be  compelled  to 
work  in  the  same  place  on  the  same  shift. 

Sec.  5.  Bailing  water  to  be  done  by  company  hands. 

Sec.  6.  That  work  heretofore  known  as  consideration 
work  be  paid  by  contract  or  day’s  wages.  Fractional  part  of 
all  measurements  to  be  paid  for. 


Anthracite  Wage  Agreement,  1899 


825 


Approved:  Susquehanna  Coal  Company, 

Per  John  H.  Tonkin,  Superintendent. 

« 

Approved : Henry  M.  Williams, 

John  Price, 

Cornelius  J.  Gallagher, 
T.  D.  Nichols, 

Frank  Miller, 

Michl  Wyrzernig, 

Committee. 

Approved:  Morris  Williams,  Manager. 

SUSQUEHANNA  COAL  COMPANY. 

Scale  of  wages  adopted  December  11,  1899. 


Fire  Boss : $2.47  and  $2.66 

Driver  Boss  1.92 

Company  Miner  2.23 

Company  Miner’s  Laborer 1.70 

Track  Layer  2.23 

Track  Layer’s  Helper  1.75 

Shaft  Repairman  2.23 

Shaft  Repairman’s  Flelper 1.70 

Timberman 2.23 

Timberman’s  Helper 1.70 

Carpenter  or  Doormaker 2.00 

Carpenter  or  Doormaker’s  Helper 1.70 

Brattice  Man  2.00 

Bratticeman’s  Helper  1.54 

Head  Runner  1.75 

Runner  1.60 

Runner  and  Driver 1.54 

Head  Footman  of  Shaft  (Oil  Clothes) 1.80 

Head  Footman  of  Shaft,  Helper 1.70 

Headman  Inside  Shaft 1.75 

Headman’s  Helper,  Inside  Shaft 1.70 

Head  Footman  of  Slope 1.70 

Head  Footman  of  Slope,  Helper 1.65 

Headman  of  Slope 1.70 

Plane  Runner  1.70 

Footman  of  Plane  1.60 

Bellman  1.25 

Single  Mule  Driver 1.25 

Single  Mule  Driver  at  Foot  of  Shaft 1.50 

Two-Mule  Driver  1.45 

Three-Mule  Driver  1.65 

Door  Boy .80 

Mason  1.75 

Mason’s  Helper 1.60 

Road  and  Slope  Cleaners 1.60 

Couplers  and  Rat  Catchersl 1.00 

Pump  Runner  1.54  and  1.80 

Stableman  1.54 

Stableman’s  Helper : 1.45 


826 


United  Mine  Workeks  of  America 


Pipemaii  1.75 

Water  Bailer  1.54  and  1.60 

Unloading  Roek : 1.45  and  1.54 

Slate  Pickers  .50  and  up 

Shaft  Headman  (Outside) 1.60 

Ph reman  1.70 


All  the  above  are  supposed  to  be  first  class  men  and  boys. 
Aged  and  disabled  men  for  attending  doors  will  be  paid  from 
$1.00  to  $1.10  per  day.  Inexperienced,  aged  and  disabled  men 
for  cleaning  roads,  gobs  and  such  other  common  work,  such 
as  they  can  do,  to  be  paid  according  to  their  worth,  from  $1.25 
to  $1.50  per  day. 


JELLICO  DISTRICT  SCALE  PRICES — DISTRICT  19. 


1893-4 

1894-5 

1895-6  : 

1896-7  1897-8  1898-9 

Screened  lump,  per  ton,  High 
coal  3 ft.  6 in.  and  over 

$ .75 

.$  .75 

$ .55 

$ .55 

$ .52  $ .52 

Medium  coal,  per  ton,  Medium 
coal.  3 ft.  3 in 

.80 

.80 

.60 

.60 

.57 

.57 

Locv  coal,  per  ton.  Low  coal 
under  3 ft.  3 in 

.85 

.85 

.65 

.65 

.62 

.62 

2 ft.  6 in.  to  2 ft.  9 in 





.70 

.70 

.67 

.67 

Under  2 ft.  6 in__ 





.75 

.75 

.72 

.72 

Slate  entry,  per  yard 

2.50 

2.50 

2.15 

2.15 

1.90 

1.90 

When  bottom  is  blasted,  per  yd 

3.00 

3.00 

2.65 

2.65 

2.40 

2.40 

Rock  top  and  slate  bottom 









3.05 

3.05 

Rock  top  and  sandstone  entries, 
per  yard  

3.50 

3.50 

3.05 

3.05 

2.65 

2.65 

Airways,  per  yard 

1.00 

1.00 

.87% 

.87% 

.80 

.80 

WHien  slate  parting  occurs  and 
neither  top  or  bottom  is  blast- 
ed, per  yard 

Turning  room,  liigli  coal 

1.50 

1.50 

1.30 

1.30 

1.15 

1.15 

2.50 

2.50 

2.00 

2.00 

2.00 

2.00 

Turning  rooms,  medium  coal 

2.75 

2.75 

2.25 

2.25 

2.25 

2.25 

Turning  rooms,  low  coal 

3.00 

3.00 

2.50 

2.50 

2.50 

2.50 

Turning  rooms,  double 

4.50 

4.50 

3.75 

3.75 

3.75 

3.75 

Drum  man,  per  hr.  and  per  day 

•1"V2 

.17% 

.15% 

.15% 

1.50 

1.50 

Chute  and  Knuckle  men,  per 
liour  and  per  day 

.15 

.15 

.13 

.13 

1.30 

1.30 

Head  Trackman,  per  hour  and 
per  day 

.22 

.22 

.19% 

.19% 

1.75 

1.75 

Assistant  Trackman,  per  hour 
and  per  day  

.17% 

.17% 

.15% 

.15% 

1.40 

1.40 

Drivers,  per  hour  and  per  day_ 

.17% 

.17% 

.15% 

.15% 

1.40 

1.40 

Spike  team  drivers,  per  hour 
and  per  day 

.20 

.20 

.17% 

.17% 

1.60 

1.60 

( .05 

.05 

.04% 

.04% 

.50 

.50 

Trappers,  per  hour  and  per  day 

) 

( .07% 

to 

.07% 

to 

.05% 

to 

.05% 

( .05 

.05 

■04%2 

.04% 

— 

— 

Oilers,  per  hour 

/ to 
1 .07% 

to 

.07  V2 

to 

.05% 

to 

.05% 

Coupler,  per  hour  and  per  day_ 

.12% 

.12% 

.11 

.11 

1.00 

1.00 

Furnace  man,  per  hour  and 
per  day 

,15 

.15 

.13 

.13 

1.10 

1.10 

Pratt,  Ala.,  Wage  Scale,  1897-1899 


827 


Drivers,  boy  

Pushers,  men  

Pushers,  boys  

Blacksmith,  per  day ' 

Outside  labor,  per  day 

Gin  men  and  muckers,  inside, 

per  day  


.10%  .10%  

.15  .15  

.10  .10  

1.75  1.75 

1.00  1.00 

1.30  1.30  • 


DISTRICT  20,  ALABAMA — PRATT  WAGE  SCALE,  1892-1895. 


1892  1893  1894  1895 

From  April  12 

Mining  Run-of-Mine  $ .45  $ .45  $ .37%  $ .37% 

Heading  2.25  2.25  2.25  1.90 

Air  Course  1.00  1.00  1.00  .95 

Day  Wage  Scale. 

1892  1893  1894  1895 

Drivers .$1.10-1.15  $1.10-1.15  $1.10-1.15  $1.10 

Trackmen  : 1.95  1.85 

Trackmen  Helpers 1.10  1.10  1.10  1.10 

Trappers  .75  .65 

Inside  Engineers 1.50 

Outside  Engineers 62.50  per  month 

Slope  Chainers  1.25  1.20 

Steam  Pumpers  1.15  1.15 

Furnace  Firemen 1.10  1.05 

Slope  Repairmen 1.90  1.60 

Dumpers 1.10  1.10 

Sealers  1.00  1.00 

Tip  Middlemen-  1.00  1.00 

Coupler .75  .65 

Greaser .75  .65 

Pin  Puller 1.15  1.15 

R.  R.  Car  Loader 1.05  1.05 

Blacksmith 2.00  2.00 

Blacksmith  Helpers  1.15  1.15 

Miner  on  Company  Work 2.25  1.96 

Stable  Men  1.00  1.00 


828 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


PRATT  WAGE  SCALE. 


May  10,  1897  to 
July  1,  1898. 

July  1,  1898  to 
March  1,  1899. 

March  1,  1899  to 
April  1.  1899. 

April  1,  1899  to 
May  1,  1899. 

May  1.  1899  to 
June  1,  1899. 

June  1,  1899  to 
July  1,  1899. 

July  1.  1899  to 
August  1,  1899. 

August  1,  1899  to 
Juno  30.  1900. 

$ .374 

$ .40 

$ .424 

$ .45 

$ .474 

$ .50 

$ .524 

$ .55 

2.00 

2.17 

2.33 

2.50 

2.67 

2.834 

2.974 

3.114 

2.35 

2.57 

2.78 

3.00 

3.22 

3.434 

3.604 

3.774 

.85 

.90 

.95 

1.00 

1.05 

1.10 

1.154 

1.21 

.40 

.43 

.47 

.50 

.534 

.56  2-3 

.594 

.62 

.85 

.90 

.95 

1.00 

1.05 

1.10 

1.154 

1.21 

.45 

.45 

.45 

.45 

.45 

.524 

.55 

1.75 

1.92 

2.08 

2.25 

2.41  2-3 

2.58  1-3 

2.71 

2.84 

.85 

.90 

.95 

1.00 

1.05 

1.10 

1.154 

1.21 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.15 

].15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.274 

1.274 

1.50 

1.58 

1.85 

1.88 

1.92 

1.95 

1.98  1-3 

2.01  2-3 

2.25 

2.364 

1.10 

1.12 

1.13 

1.15 

1.16  1-3 

1.17  2-3 

1.47 

1.54 

.65 

.68 

.72 

.75 

.78  1-3 

.81  2-3 

.90 

.934 

1.55 

1.55 

1.55 

1.55 

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

62.50 

62.50 

62.50 

62..50 

68.75 

68.75 

68.75 

68.75 

1.20 

1.22 

1.23 

1.25 

1.26  2-3 

1.28  1-3 

1.60 

1.671 

1.20 

1.22 

1.23 

1.25 

1.26  2-3 

1.28  1-3 

1.60 

1.671 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.274 

1.274 

1.274 

1.274 

1.00 

1.02 

1.03 

1.05 

1.06  2-3 

1.26 

1.26 

1.32 

1.60 

1.70 

1.80 

1.90 

2.00 

2.23 

2.23 

2.331 

1.25 

1.25 

1.25 

1.25 

1.374 

1.374 

1.374 

1.374 

45.00 

45.00 

45.00 

45.00 

49.50 

49.50 

49.50 

49.50 

40.00 

40.00 

40.00 

40.00 

44.00 

44.00 

44.00 

44.00 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.20 

1.20 

1.37 

1.43 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.10 

1.10 

1.26 

1.32 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.10 

1.10 

1.26 

1.32 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.85 

.85 

.95 

.99 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.85 

.85 

.95 

.99 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.274 

1.274 

1.42 

1.484 

1.05 

1.05 

1.05 

1.05 

1.15 

1.15 

1.31 

1.374 

2.00 

2.05 

2.10 

2.15 

2.20 

2.25 

2.69 

2.8 1; 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.274 

1.274 

1.50 

1.58 

1.50 

1.63 

1.85 

1.90 

1.95 

[ 2.00 

2.14 

2.24 

1.75 

1.80 







2.36 

2.474 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

2.00 

2.13 

2.27 

2.40 

2.53 

2.67 

2.80 

2.93 

Mining  Run  of  Mine  _ 
Main  Slope  8'  \vide__ 
Main  Slope  12'  wide__ 
Main  SlopeA-CNarrow 
Main  SlopeA-C20'wide 
Main  Slope  Cut  Thru. 

Room  Cut  Thru 

Room  CutThruNarrow 
Butt  Heading  


Turning  Rooms 

Drivers  

Trackmen  Boss  

Trackmen  Helpers 
Trappers  : 


Slope  Chainers 


Vent.  Fur.  Firemen— 

Slope  Repairmen  

Boiler  Firemen  


Dumpers  

Scalers  

Tip.  Middlemen  

Coupler  

Greaser  

Pin  Puller  

R.  R.  Car  Loader 

Blacksmith 

Blacksmith  Helper  _ 

Carpenter  Helper 

Carpenter  

Stablemen  


Note — Above  table  shows  wages  per  day,  except  where  specified  per  month. 


Hocking  Valley  Scale,  1892-1900 


829 


April, 
1898 
to  Apr. 
1900 

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1896  to 
Oct.  189 

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United  Mine  Workers  of  America 


Joint  partnership  or  collective  bargaining  between  coal 
operators  and  coal  miners  when  trying  to  adjust  vexed  prob- 
lems, is  the  best  solution  yet  devised.  Continue  the  plan — 
both  will  profit  by  the  joint  exertion  multiplied. 


END  OF  VOLUME  2. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

' Pages 


CHEIS  EVANS,  FEONTISPIECE. 

NATIONAL  EXECUTIVE  BOAED,  UNITED  MINE  WOEKEES  OF 

AMEEICA  1890 24 

CHAETEE  OF  AFFILIATION  WITH  AMEEICAN  FEDEEATION 

OF  LABOE  28 

JOHN  B.  EAE,  NATIONAL  PEESIDENT,  1890-189.1 30 

W.  H.  TUENEE,  NATIONAL  VICE-PEESIDENT,  1890 31 

JOHN  McBEIDE,  NATIONAL  PEESIDENT,  1892-93-94 264 

PATEICK  McBEYDE,  NATIONAL  SECEETAEY,  1891-2-3-4-5 265 

P.  H.  PENNA,  NATIONAL  PEESIDENT,  1895-96 420 

W.  C.  PEAECE,  NATIONAL  SECEETAEY,  ELECTED  1896 422 

M.  D.  EATCHFOED,  NATIONAL  PEESIDENT,  1897-98 472 

JOHN  KANE,  EDITOE  JOUENAL,  1891-2-3-4-5-6;  VICE  PEESI- 
DENT, 1897  479 

NATIONAL  EXECUTIVE  BOAED,  1897 480 

MUEDEE  SCENE  AT  VIEDEN,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBEE  12,  1898 607 

GOVEENOE  TANNEE  OF  ILLINOIS 609 

KANE  MONUMENT  611 

JOHN  MITCHELL,  NATIONAL  PEESIDENT,  ELECTED  1899 650 

T.  W.  DAVIS,  EDITOE  JOUENAL,  1897-98;  VICE-PEESIDENT,  1899  651 

W.  C.  SCOTT,  NATIONAL  OEGANIZEE,  1897-98;  EDITOE  JOUE- 
NAL, 1899-1900  740 

NATIONAL  EXECUTIVE  BOAED  MEMBEES,  1899 764 


INDEX 

Pages 

Preface  1-2 

Indiana  Miners  First  to  Move  as  a Eenovation,  January  1,  1890 3 

Ohio  Miners  in  Convention  as  District  10  National  Progressive  Union 

for  Eeform,  January  20,  1890 4 

Address  of  President  Evans.  Secretary  Ebenezer  Levds’  Eeport  Highly 

Commended  5-8 

Officers  Elected  for  District  No.  10  National  Progressive  Union . 9 

Convention  of  National  Progressive  Union  January  22,  1890,  with  Jolin 
McBride’s  Eecommendations  as  President.  Secretary  Patrick  Mc- 
Bryde’s  Eeport,  and  Telegrams  from  President  Gompers  of  tlie  A. 
of  L.,  and  Secretary  Wm.  Martin  of  the  Iron  and  Steel  Workers’ 


Association 10-11 

Convention  of  National  District  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor,  with 
Letter  of  Master  Workman  Powderly,  and  Preparations  for  Joint 

Meeting  12 

Joint  Convention  Proceedings  of  National  District  Assembly  135, 

Knights  of  Labor,  and  National  Progressive  Union 13-17 

Preamble  and  Constitution  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 18-22 

Constitution  of  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor 23 

Officers  Elected  and  Scale  of  Prices  Eeported  by  Committee 24-26 

Machine  Mining  Scale  Eeported 27 

Picture  of  United  Mine  Workers’  Charter  of  Affiliation  with  the  Ameri- 
can Federation  of  Labor .. 28 

Names  of  Charter  Members  and  A.  F.  of  L.  Officers  Granting  It 29 

831 


Pages 


Portraits  of  First  President,  Jolin  B.  Rae,  and  Vice-President,  William 


H.  Turner,  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America 30-31 

Facsimile  of  Charter  Conditions,  Granted  January  25,  1890 32 

Indiana  Miners’  Convention,  February  25,  1890,  and  Illinois  Miners’  Con- 
vention, March  4,  1890  33 


Pittsburg  Railroad  and  River  Miners  in  Conventions  Form  District  5, 


United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  March  12  and  25,  1890 34 

Ohio  Miners’  Convention  of  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  K.  of  L.,  and 

District  10  of  the  National  Progressive  Union,  April  14,  1890 35-39 

West  Virginia  Convention,  April  21,  1890 40 

W.  B.  Wilson  of  Blossburg,  Pa.,  at  Lonaconing,  Md.,  and  Resignation 

of  Secretary  Ebenezer  Lewis  of  the  Ohio  Miners 41 

Resignation  of  Secretary  Robert  Watchorn 42 

Convention  of  District  6,  U.  M.  W.  of  A.,  January  20,  1891 43 

Names  of  Delegates  Present 44-45 

Address  of  President  John  P.  Jones 46-52 

Reports  of  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce  and  Auditors 1 53 

Run  of  Mine  Coal  and  Machine  Mining  Prices 54 

Committee  on  Defense  Fund,  and  Amendments  to  Constitution 55-56 

Resolution  on  Exclusion  of  Children  Under  14  Years  of  Age  from  Mines 

and  Factories  57 

Officers  Elected  and  Adjournment  of  the  Convention 58 

First  National  Annual  Convention  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  Amer- 
ica, February  10,  1891 52-60 

Report  of  Committee  on  Credentials,  with  Names  of  Delegates  and  Seats 

Contested  61-63 

Address  of  President  John  B.  Rae 64—66 

Report  of  Secretary  Robert  Watchorn 67—70 

Committees  Appointed  and  Report  of  Committee  on  Rules 71-72 

Telegrams  from  Harry  B.  Layton,  Lucian  Saniel  and  Chris  Evans 73-74 

Convention  Proceedings  Continued  75—89 

National  Constitution  in  Part  for  1891 90-92 


Election  of  Officers  and  Adjournment  District  11  Convention,  March  3, 


1891 


93 


Connellsville  Coke  Struggle  and  Appeal  to  Union  Labor 94-95 

Miners’  National  Convention  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  April  6,  1891 96-101 

Operators’  and  Miners’  Joint  Conference  in  Allegheny  Court  House 102 

Miners’  and  Operators’  Delegates  Present 103—104 

Eight  Hours  First  Important  Question  Discussed 105-107 

Joint  Conference  Disagrees  and  Adjourns.  The  Miners’  Demands 108 

First  Annual  Convention,  District  17,  April  14,  1891 109-113 

Official  Circular  on  Eight-Hour  Workday,  April  17,  1891 114-116 

Illinois  Miners’  Convention,  April  23,  1891 117-119 

Full  Text  of  Illinois  Weekly  Pay  Law,  1891 120-121 

Reasons  Given  for  Deferring  the  Movement  for  Eight  Hours 122-126 

Special  Convention  of  Ohio  Miners,  April  30,  1891,  and  Names  of  Dele- 
gates Present 127 

Remarks  of  President  J.  P.  Jones  and  Vice-President  Jchn  Nugent  to 
Delegates  and  Resolution  Indorsing  the  Declaring  Off  for  the  Time 

Being  the  Movement  for  An  Eight-Hour  Workday 128-130 

Pittsburg  Miners’  Special  Convention  and  Delegates  Seated,  April  30, 

1891  131 

Address  of  President  McLaughlin 132-133 

Proceedings  of  Pittsburg  Miners’  Special  Convention 134-136 

Iowa  and  Coke  Workers  of  Pennsylvania  Strikes,  May,  1891 137-139 

The  Illinois  Screen  Law  Approved,  June  10,  1891 140 

Official  Notice  of  National  Board  on  Defense  Fund 141-142 

Iowa  State  Convention  at  Oskaloosa,  July  7,  1891 143-144 


832 


Pages 


Joint  Agreement  at  Rendville,  Ohio,  July  S.  1891,  and  Shaker  Soap- 
vending   145 

Pittsburg  Strike  Situation  Explained  by  President  Costello 146-148 

Joint  Agreement  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  and  William  Houston’s  Death,  149 

Illinois  Miners’  Convention,  January  13,  1892 150-156 

Ohio  Miners’  Convention  with  Names  of  Delegates,  January  19,  1 892,157-158 

Proceedings  of  Ohio  Miners  Continued 159—161 

Address  of  President  J.  P.  Jo^nes 162-169 

Reports  of  Secretary  and  Auditors 170-171 

Continuation  of  Ohio  Convention  Proceedings 172-176 

Second  Annual  Convention  United  IMine  Workers  of  America,  and 

Names  of  Delegates  Present 177—178 

Governor  McKinley’s  Address 179 

Committees  Appointed  180 

Address  of  President  John  B.  Rae 181-182 

Report  of  Secretary  Patrick  McBryde 183-186 

Auditing  Committee’s  Report  and  Officers  Elected 187-188 

Report  of  Committee  on  Defense  Fund  and  Adjournment 189-190 

District  5 Convention  March  8,  1892.  with  National'  President  jMc- 

Bride  and  Secretary  Patrick  IMcBryde  Present , 191-192 

Convention  of  District  11,  March  8,  1892,  and  Officers  Elected 193 

Ohio  Scale  Agreement  and  District  17  Convention,  April,  1892 194-195 

Special  Convention  of  District  11,' April  19,  1892 196-198 

Illinois  Special  Convention,  April  19,  1892 199-202 

District  8 Joint  Conference,  April  23,  1892,  and  Tennessee  District 

Scale  Adopted  April  27,  1892 20.3-204 

Pittsburg  District  Convention,  April  27,  1892 205-206 

River  Pittsburg  District  Convention,  April  29,  1892 207-208 

Address  of  President  W.  S.  Scott  of  Iowa,  April  28,  1892 209-211 

District  12  Officials’  Manifesto  on  Constitutional  Amendments 212-213 

Hocking  '\"alley  Day  Wage  Scale  Convention,  May  7,  1892 214 

Houtzdale,  Pa.,  Checkweighman  Laws 215-216 

Hocking  Valley  -Toint  Conference  on  3tachine  jMiiiing.  ^lay  24,  1892 217-218 

Comments  on  First  Issue  of  United  IMine  Workers  .Toiinial 219-221 

Reorganization  of  Sub-District  1 of  District  (!,  .Inly  2,  1892 222-225 

\'ice-President  Penna  in  Colorado,  and  Conunents  of  Edifor  .lolin 

Kane  on  Empei'or  William  of  Germany 226 

Hocking  Valley  Sub-District  1 in  Convention  September  27.  1892 227-228 

Machine  Miners  of  Hocking  Valley  Convention  October  1,  1892 ^^229-230 

Convention  of  District  23,  Octobei'.  1892.  and  Constitution  Adopted 231-233 

President  Call  Favors  One  Sub-District  for  Hocking  Valiev,  October, 

1892  . 1 234-235 


Convention  of  Sub-District  1 of  District  6.  Formed  One  Sub-District 


for  Athens.  Hocking  and  Perry  Counties,  Ohio 236-238 

Summary  of  Hockiiig  Valley,  Ohio,  .Joint  Agreements  fo  1893 , 239-243 

President  .Tohn  jMcBride  oif  the  Lk  IM.  W.  of  A.  on  the  Ohio  IMem- 

bership  : 244-245 

Sub-District  1 of  District  6 in  Convention.  March.  1893 246 

Fourth  National  Annual  Convention,  April  11,  1893 247 

List  of  Delegates  Present ; , 248 

Secretary  Patrick  McBryde’s  Report 249-251 

Address  of  President  .Jolin  McBride  in  Part 252-257 

Auditor’s  Report  258 

Proceedings  of  Fourth  National  Annual  Convention 259-267 

District  12  Fourth  Annual  Convention,  April  25,  1893 268 

Address  of  President  .1.  A.  Crawford 269 

Secretary  Guyman’s  Resume  >of  Work  Done 279 

Officers  Elected  and  Adjournment 271 

Convention  Called  by  D.  H.  Sullivan  to  Form  an  Ohio  Sub-District , 272 


833 


Pages 


Indiana  Joint  Conference  with  Operators  and  Contract  Agreed  To 273 

Death  of  Mrs.  John  McBride,  i\Iay  4,  1893 274 

District  11  Special  Convention,  May  7,  1893 275-270 

Joint  Agreement  for  Jellieo,  Tennessee,  District,  !May  8,  1893,  and 
Hocking  Valiev  Machine  Men’s  Earnings  Per  Month  for  Mav, 
1892-1893  — - - I_277-278 


Ohio  Convention  and  .Joint  Conference,  May  9.  1893 279-280 

Operators  and  ^Miners  .Jointly  Failed  to  Agree  on  Seale  of  Prices,  and 

Adjourned 281-287 

Conditional  .Joint  Agreement  Jjater,  and  Investigating  Committee 

Appointed  288-289 

Hocking  Valley  hlachine  jMiners’  Meeting,  -June  3,  1893 290 

Explanatorv  Circular  to  Ohio  Miners  on  Disagreement  with  Operators. 

May,  i893  291 

Umpire  Brittain’s  Decision  on  Cannelton,  Ohio,  Arbitration  Case 292 

Sixtv-Day  Xotes  for  Ohio  Miners’  Pay  Jointly  Discussed,  August. 

1893  I 293-299 


Delegate  Convention  of  Hocking,  Athens  and  Perry  Counties,  Ohio,  on 

Sixty-Day  Notes  300 

Second  Auditor’s  Keport  o-f  District  6,  December  7,  1893 301 

Special  Convention  District  6,  .January  9.  1894 302-303 

Statement  of  Hocking  Valley  Operators  iMorton.  Turney  and  .Johnson 
to  Miners’  Delegates,  Advising  Reduced  Wages,  and  Minesr’ 

Action  .306-308 

Ohio  Miners’  State  Convention.  February  9.  1894 309 

List  of  Delegates  and  Wage  Scales  Presented  by  Operators  and  Miners. 

and  Adjournment  310-312 

Special  Conventions  of  District  11,  February  28,  and  Marcli  14,  1894 — 31.3-316 

Fifth  National  Annual  Convention,  April  10.  1894 317-318 

President  .John  McBride’s  Address  319-326 

Auditor’s  Statement  on  Secretary  McBryde’s  Report 327 

Proceedings  of  Fifth  National  Animal  Convention  Continued;  Officers 

Elected .328-332 

Constitution  of  District  5 for  1894 333-334 

National  Convention  at  Cleveland.  Ohio-,  ilay  14,  1894 335 

President  IMcBride's  Address 336-338 

Report  of  Scale  Committee  for  Districts  Named — 3.39-3'4.3 

Operators  and  Miners  in  .Joint  Conference  Failed  to  Agree  on  Seale — 344-349 
Provisional  Scale  of  Prices  Agreed  Upon  with  Operators  and  IMiners, 

from  .June  18,  1894,  Until  ^lay  1,  1895 350-351 

Officers’  Circular  Sent  to  iMiners,  Explaining  Their  Position  on  the 

Joint  Agreement  Made 352-356 

Sixth  National  Annual  Convention.  February  12.  1895 357-358 

Address  in  Part  of  Ex-President  McBride 359-363 

Secretary  and  Auditors’  Report 364-365 

Proceedings  of  Sixth  National  Convention  Continued:  Officers 

Elected  366-372 

Second  Annual  Convention,  Sub-District  1 of  District  6,  1895 373-376 

Iowa  .Joint  Conference  !March  29,  1895 1 37i 

Sixth  Annual  Convention  District  6,  April  2.  1895 378—382 

Officers  Elected  at  Sixth  Annual  Convention  Distinct  6 383 

Proceedings  of  Sixth  Annual  Convention  Continued,  District  6 384— 388 

.Joint  Conference  Ohio,  Northern  Illinois  and  Indiana 389-391 

Convention  District  25.  Keystone,  W.  Va..  .June  14,  1895 392 

District  20  Pratt  Wage  Scale,  1892-1895 393 

.J.  E.  Lama.  Nelsonville,  Ohio,  .Joint  Agreement,  June  25.  1895 394 

Anthracite  Constitution  District  1,  Adopted  June  26,  1895 395-399 

Pittsburg  Convention  and  .Joint  Conference  Proceedings,  December  2-5. 

1895  400-407 


834 


Pages 

Seventli  National  Annual  Convention,  April  14-17,  1890 408-409 

Address  of  President  Penna  in  Part 410-412 

Secretary  Patrick  McBryde’s  Statement  witli  Auditors’  Eej)ort 413-414 

Amendments  to  Constitution  Reported  and  Adopted 415-416 

Proceedings  of  Seventh  Annual  Conventioi,!  CVmtinued 417-419 

Portrait  of  President  P.  H.  Penna  and  Othoers  Elected 420-421 

Portrait  of  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce,  and  Adjournment 422-423 

Seventh  Annual  Convention  District  11,  April  24.  1896 424-426 

Auditing  Committee's  Report.  Election  of  Otticers  and  Adjournment 427-430 

Revised  Constitution  District  11  for  1896 431-434 

Eighth  National  Annual  Convention,  January  12,  1897 435 

President  Penna’s  Welfare  and  Earewell  Address  in  Part 436-440 

Report  of  Secretary  W.  C.  Pearce,  with  Auditors’  Report 441-442 

Eighth  National  Annual  Proceedings  Continued 443-446 

National  Constitution  for  1897 i 447-451 

Constitution  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  Independent  Order 

Knights  of  Labor  452 

Election  of  Officers,  United  Mine  Workers  of  America  for  1897,  and 

Adjournment  453-455 

Illinois  Mine  Workers’  Special  Convention,  April  1,  1897 456-457 

Eighth  Annual  Convention  District  11,  April  20-22,  1897- 458-460 

Report  of  Auditing  Committee,  and  Adjournment 461-463 

Governor  Atkinson  of  West  Aritginia  Writes  to  Labor  Leaders,  Au- 
gust 3,  1897 464-465 

West  Virginia  Injunctions,  August,  1897.  Cof>ied  from  Original 466-468 

Special  National  Convention,  Columbus,  Ohio,  September  8-12,  1897 469-474 

Resolutions  Condemning  tlie  Perpetrators  of  tlie  Lattimer,  Pa.,  Mas- 
sacre, Sejjtember  10,  1897 475 

Condolence  Committee’s  Report  on  Death  of  Vice-President  John  Kane, 

and  Adjournment 476-478 

Pictures  of  John  Kane  and  National  Executive  Board,  1897 479-480 

Indiana  Miners’  Special  Convention.  September  16,  1897 481 

Meeting  of  Seale  Committee  with  Operators,  and  Adjournment 482-484 

Illinois  and  West  Virginia  Local  Joiiit  Agreements 485 

Pittsburg  Operators’  and  Miners’  Wage  Scale  for  1892-1897  Adopted 486-488 

Report  of  Operators’  and  Miners’  Committee  for  District  2,  Septem- 
ber 23,  1897  ' 489 

West  Virginia  .Joint  ^Meeting  with  All  Its  Complications,  October, 

1897  ■ 490-491 

.Joint  Agreement  with  Operator  .Johnson.  Kanawlia  Valley,  W.  Va 492 

Aid  Rendered  Mine  Workers  by  Officials  of  Otlier  Trades  in  West  Vir- 
ginia   493-494 

Convention  of  Sub-Districts  1 and  2 of  District  6,  December,  1897 495-496 

Preliminary  .Joint  Conference  to  Revive  Interstate  Agreement,  De- 
cember 27,  1897  497 

Call  for  Chicago  .Joint  Conference,  .Janua)-y,  1898,  and  Sub-District  5 

of  District  6 Scale  of  Prices 498 

District  5 Convention  December  20,  1897 499-504 

.Joint  Meeting  with  Pittsburg  Ojjerators,  and  Adjournment 505-508 

Ninth  Annual  Convention  District  6,  .January  6,  1898 509-510 

President  Farms’  Review  of  the  Situation , 511-514 

Report  of  Secretary  T.  L.  Lewis.  Officers  Elected,  Auditors’  Report 

and  Adjournment 51.5-518 

Ninth  National  Annual  Convention,  .January  11,  1898 519-521 

Address  of  President  Ratchford  in  iPart 522-527 

Report  of  Secretary  Pearce  and  List  of  Delegates 528-530 

Election  of  Officers  , 531-533 

Secretary  Pearce,  Ex-President  McBride  and  David  Ross  Spoke 

Briefly  , 534-535 


835 


Pages 


544 


54; 


American  Federation  of  Labor  Delegates  Elected  and  Auditors’  Re- 
port   53B-537 

National  Constitution  for  1898 538-543 

Indianapolis  Declared  Futiue  Head(piarters  for  National  Organiza- 
tion   

Resolutions  of  Sympathy  for  Family  of  Edward  Hartford,  Delegate 
from  British  Trades  Council  to  American  Federation  of  Labor 
Convention,  1897,  and  Adjournment  of  Convent  ion  to  Meet  Op- 
erators Jointly  Alonday,  January  17 

Pioceedings  of  Cliicago  Joint  tlmference  with  Operators,  ISitS.  and 

Adjournment  540-550 

Joint  Agreement  on  Wages  and  Eight  lbnu-  Day 551-552 

Constitution  of  District  5 for  1898 ' 553-554 

Convention  of  District  2,  April  5,  1898 555-558 

Comparative  Wage  Scales  of  District  5 from  April  1,  1897,  to  1900 559-500 

Joint  Agreement  for  Massillon  District,  Ohio,  April  0,  1898 501 

Pittsburg  Scale  of  Prices  Adopted,  April  8-11,  1898 502 

District  23  Joint  Scale  of  Prices  Adopted,  April  14,  1898 503-508 

Special  Convention  District  5 and  Joint  Test  Report  Jlade  on  Run-of- 

Mine  Coal  )jy  IMiners  and  Operators 509-570 

Win.  Scaife’s  Remarks  on  Governor  Tanner  of  Illinois 571 

Joint  Conference  District  5,  May  19,  1898 572-574 

Special  Convention  and  Joint  Conference  District  12,  .May  19,  1898 575-580 

Indiana  Block  Coal  and  Sub-District  2 of  District  0 Proceedings,  .lime, 

1898  581—585 

Alabama  Miners’  Convention  and  .Joint  Agreement,  .June,  1898 586-592 

West  Virginia  Coal  a Disturbing  Factor,  and  National  Aiidiiors' 

Report ; 593-594 

tVntral  J-’ennsylvania  Wage  Scale  and  Special  Convention  District  5 595-598 

Report  and  Joint  Agreement  on  Chicago  & Alton  Railroad,  Illinois, 

August  17,  1898,  and  Rebates  on  Coal  Ship|)ed  to  Chicago 599-603 

Arkansas-Indian  Territory  Convention,  October  7,  1898 604-605 

Miners  Killed  and  Maimed  at  Virden,  Illinois,  and  the  Battle  Scene 60(i-()07 

Telegrams  of  President  Ratchford  and  Vice-President  Mitchell  on 

Virden  Riot  608 

Portrait  of  Governor  Tanner  of  Illinois 609 

The  Lattinier,  Pa.,  Massacre  610 

.John  Ivane  Monument,  1898  611 

Visit  of  Tennessee  Convict  Mine  Report,  October,  1898 612-613 

O’Gara  and  King,  Illinois,  .Joint  Agreement,  November,  1898 614 

Conditions  and  Mining  Rates  Before  Chicago  Scale  Was  Made 616 

Convention  of  Sub-District  6 of  District  6,  Ohio,  December  2.  1898 617-618 

Tenth  Annual  Convention  District  6,  .January  5-7,  1899 619-62U 

Reports  of  Secretary  and  Auditors.  Election  of  Officers  and  Adjourn- 
ment   621-625 

Tenth  National  Annual  Convention  at  Pittsburg,  June  9.  1899 626— 63(i 

List  of  Delegates  in  Attendance 631-632 

President  Ratchford’s  Report  in  Part : 633-638 

Partial  Report  of  Vice  and  Acting  President  Mitchell 639-641 

Reports  of  Secretary,  Auditors  and  Committees  Appointed 642-644 

Reports  of  Committee  on  Officers’  Reports  and  Credential  Com- 
mittee   645-646 

Report  of  Delegation  to  American  Federation  of  Labor  Convention 647-648 

Officers  Elected  for  1899,  with  Portraits  of  President  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent   649-652 

Resolutions  Commending  the  Action  of  Governor  John  R.  Tanner,  and 

Election  of  Additional  Board  iMembers  James  and  Reese 653-655 

Revised  Constitution  for  1899,  and  Adjournment 655-662 

Pittsburg  Interstate  Joint  Conference,  January  17,  1899 66.3-667 

836 


Pages 

Report  of  Joint  Scale  Committee  and  Adjournment 068-670 

Bloomington,  Illinois,  INIcLean  Coal  Company  Joint  Agreement 671 

Tenth  Annual  Convention  District  12,  Pebruaiy  27,  1890,  Statements 
of  President  Hunter,  National  Pi'esident  Alitchell  and  Secretary 

Ryan  ^ 672-673 

President  Hunter’s  Review  and  Ofiieers  Elected (>74-675 

Joint  Conference  with  Operators 676-679 

Proceedings  of  Miners  Re-Convened,  «ith  Adjournment 680-682 

District  13  Joint  Agreement,  March  9,  1899 683 

Joint  Agreement  District  12,  IMarch  10,  1899 684-685 

Second  Annual  Conv’ention  District  19,  March  11,  1899 686-687 

Proceedings  Sub-District  2 of  District  6,  jMarch  14,  1899 688-689 

Ohio  Operators  Sign  Pittsburg  Agreement  and  Cambridge,  Ohio, 

Scale  690-691 

Tenth  Annual  Convention  District  11,  March  21-30,  1899 692-695 

Auditing  Committee’s  Report  and  Election  of  Officers 696 

Seale  of  Wages  and  Adjournment 697-698 

Constitution  of  District  11  for  1899 699-701 

Joint  Agreement  Sub-District  1 District  12,  March  23,  1899 702-704 

Proceedings  of  District  2,  March  23-24,  1899 705-707 

Pittsburg  Convention  of  Organized  and  Unorganized  Miners,  March 

28,  1899  1 — 708-710 

Operators  and  hliners  in  Joint  Session 711-712 

Miners’  Convention  and  Adjournment 713-716 

Operators’  and  Miners’  Joint  Agreement,  District  11,  March  29,  1899 717-719 

Hocking  Valley  Miners’  Convention,  March  30,  1899 720-721 

Beaver  Valley,  Pa.,  Joint  Agreement,  Ajjril  1,  1899 722 

Eight-Hour  Celebration  at  Nelsonville,  Oliio,  April  1,  1899 723 

Semi-Annual  Report  of  Auditors,  District  6,  and  Resignation  of  Vice- 

president  T.  W.  Davis,  with  Editor  W.  C.  Scott’s  Comments 724-725 

Joint  Conference  Operators  and  Miners  of  Tennessee,  July  17,  1899 725-727 

Pittsburg  Adjoui-ned  Convention,  July  20,  1899,  and  Joint  Agreement 

District  2,  Pemisylvania 728-732 

West  Virginia  and  Iowa  Conventions,  August,  1899 733-738 

Dennis  H.  Sullivan  and  the  Ohio  Screen  Law 739 

Portrait  of  Editor  W.  C.  Scott,  Resolutions  of  Respect  on  Resignation 
of  Vice-president  Thomas  W.  Davis,  and  Adimonitions  of  T.  L. 

Lewis  740-741 

A Squib  from  John  P.  Reese,  and  Joint  Agreement  at  Witt,  Hlinoisl_742-743 
Labor  Day  Celebrations,  1899,  President  Mitchell  at  Virden  Anniver- 
sary, October  12,  1899,  National  Auditors’  Third  Quarterly  Report, 

October  23,  1899,  and  Nelsonville,  Ohio,  Resolutions ( 744-746 

Convention  District  2,  November  29,  1899 747-748 

Indian  Territory  Convention,  December  9,  1899 749-750 

Anthracite  Wage  Agreement,  December  11,  1899 751-753 

Second  Annual  Convention  District  20,  December  11,  1899 754-755 

Myersdale,  Pa.,  and  Maryland  Convention,  December  12,  1899 756-759 

Convention  Proceedings  District  2,  December  12,  1899 760-761 

West  Virginia  Convention,  December  19,  1899,  H.  W.  Smith’s  Illus- 
trated Lecture,  and  Picture  of  National  Executive  Board  Mem- 
bers, 1899  762-764 

.loint  Wage  Scale  Agreements  from  April  24,  1891,  to  December  11, 

1899  765-829 

■Joint  Agreement  District  12,  Operators  on  Chicago,  Burlington  & 

Quincy  Railroad,  April  24,  1891,  and  Hocking  Valley  Joint  Agree- 
ment with  Operators  aqd  Miners,  May  1,  1891 765 

W.  P.  Rend  .Joint  Agreement  for  Rendville,  Ohio,  Miners,  July  8, 

1891.  and  .Joint  Scale  Agreement  for  Ohio,  April  7,  1892 766 

837 


Pahes 


•loinl  Agieemeiii , Bituminous  jMincrs  and  Operators  of  Indiana.  April 

21,  1892,  and  Block  Coal  Miners  and  Ojierators,  Ajiril  23,  1892 7C7 

Summary  of  Hocking  Valley,  Oliio,  Joint  Agreements 768-772 

Indiana  Bituminous  IMiners’  and  Operators’  Joint  Agreement,  iMay  10, 

1893,  and  Scale  of  Prices  for  Jellico,  Tennessee,  District,  May 

8,  1893  773-775 

Joint  Agreement  District  6.  for  lS93-!)4,  ^lay  11,  1893 77(i 

Joint  Agreement,  National  Trades  Assembly  135,  Knights  of  Labor  and 

National  Progressive  Union,  with  Ohio  Operators,  June  12.  1894 777 

•Toint  Agreement  between  .1.  E.  Lama,  of  Nelsonville,  Ohio,  Operator, 

and  President  Katchford  of  District  6,  .Tune  25,  1S!)5 778 

•Toint  Agreement  Pittsburg  Kailroad  Districts.  December  5,  1895 779-782 

West  Virginia  Local  Joint  Agreement,  October  21,  18i)7 783 

•loint  Wage  Scale  Agreed  to  at  Pittslmrg,  September  20,  18!t7,  to 

Adopt  Bates  of  Day  and  Dead  Work  Prices  Paid  in  1892 784—786 

0])erators’  and  Miners’  .Toint  Report  for  District  2,  Septemlier  23.  1897  787 

Kanawha  Valley,  West  ^Jrginia,  Local  .Toint  Agreement,  Noveml)er 
3,  1897,  and  Scale  of  I’rices  for  Sub-District  5 of  District  6,  End- 
ing December  31.  1897 7SS 

Chicago  .Toint  Scale  Agreement,  1898  (Including  Eight-Hour  Day) 789-790 

.loint  Conference  Scale  .Agreed  to  at  Pittsburg,  .April  S,  1898 791 

CTanparative  Scale  of  Prices  for  Pittsburg  District,  18!I7-1900 792  793 

•Toint  Agreement  Massillon,  Ohio,  District,  .April  6,  1898 794-795 

District  23  Joint  Agreement,  April  14,  1898 79()-SUu 

.loint  Interpretation  of  tlie  Chicago  Scale  to  Pittsburg  Operators  and 

Miners,  Alay  31,  1898 So] 

Local  .Agreement  of  District  20,  between  Operators  and  Aliners  of  the 

Blocton.  .Alabama,  Alines,  .Ttme  30,  1898 802-803 

•Toint  Agreement  CTiicago  & .Alton  Railioad  Alines,  .August  17.  1898 So4 

O’Gara  and  King,  Illinois  .Joint  .Agreement.  November  16.  1898 805 

.Joint  .Agreements,  District  19,  .January  6,  1899,  and  Bloomington,  Illi- 
nois, l<’eliruary  8.  1899 806 

•Toint  Agreement  District  13,  Iowa,  Alarch  9.  1899,  and  National  Inside 

Day  Wage  Scale,  .April,  1898,  to  Alarch  31,  1899 S07-S0S 

District  12,  Joint  .Agreement.  Alarch  10,  1899 809-810 

Ohio  .Joint  .Agreement.  Alarcli  16.  and  Cand>ridge,  Ohio.  Alarch  17. 

1899  ^ 811-812 


•Toint  .Agreement  Sub-District  1.  District  12 813-814 

Indiana  .Joint  .Agreement,  Alarc  h 30.  1899 S1.5-S17 

Beaver  A’alley,  Pa.,  Scale,  Alay  in.  1899 SIS 

Tennessee  .Joint  .Agreement,  .July  27,  1899 819-820 

District  2 .Joint  .Agreement  for  .August  1,  1899 821 

.Joint  .Agreement  at  AATtt,  Hlinoi.s,  .August  23.  1899 822 

.Anthracite  .Joint  AA'age  .Agreement,  December  11,  1899 823-825 

Jellico  District  Scale  Prices,  Tennessee,  for  1893  to  1899 826 

District  20,  Pratt,  .Alabama,  Wage  Scale,  1892  to  1900 827-828 

Hocking  A’alley,  Ohio,  Scale  of  Prices.  1892  to  1900,  and  .Joint  Part- 

nership  or  Collective  Bargaining 829-830 

Index  Pages 831-836 


838 


